Edited by Dr. Jo
Pugs Paws Care – Why?
Not just Pug paws…Did you know that dogs don’t sweat like humans? In fact, the main place they sweat from is through the bottom of their paws!
Are you worrying enough about your Pug paws? Learn at a glance the best (and simple) techniques for healing them, find out common issues of Pug’s paws, and keep your pup’s paws in good shape always!
Why should you take care of your Pug’s paws?
- Pug paws are an essential part of your Pug’s movement. If they are sore, your Pug will suffer whenever he walks!
- They are not as tough as you may think; that’s why they’re overlooked most times. Heat, cold, road salt, moist, and rough surfaces are common enemies.
Treat your Pug’s paws safely at home, learn to identify their issues, and turn them into strong resistant paws that are ready to hit the road. Let’s get started!
Pug Paws Problems (and HOW to avoid or treat them)
Many issues can affect a Pug puppy or adult Pug, and most of them are related to dryness, burning, inflammation, or itchiness. Some can be treated at home, whereas others can only be treated by a vet.
Dry Pug Paws.
Dry paws can happen for several reasons, including walking outside on rough surfaces, poor hydration, allergies, climate, and age. Because of this, they can advance to have other symptoms such as itchiness, discomfort, and in severe cases, peeling and cracking skin.
Treatment: You should start by checking out your Pug’s hydration. Do this by checking that his gums are not sticky. If they are, encourage him to drink more, or add water to his food to increase his water intake. Better hydration can improve dry Pug paws. If hydration is not the issue, use a paw-moistening formula for Pugs to moisturize them directly.
“Brachycephalic (short-nosed) and overweight dogs seem to have a tougher time in hot weather and may require more frequent rests, shorter walks, or a change in walk schedule to avoid the hottest hours of the day.”AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association
Itchiness.
This is a symptom of other Pug paw problems listed here. The most common reason for itchy paws is an underlying allergy, but it is also possible that he walked over something mildly corrosive or irritating, such as floor cleaner.
Treatment: First, you need to know what caused it. Fix the underlying problem and this will fix itchiness. You vet will be able to diagnose whether an allergy is to blame. Also, there are products to soothe itching, like sprays and ointments for Pugs.
Burning Pug Paws.
This is caused because of your Pug stepping over hot (over 45°C) surfaces, or chemicals. Walking on hot pavement, sidewalks, and other surfaces at high temperatures is a common cause.
Treatment: Avoid walking your dog on hot surfaces! Always assume tarmac is too hot on a warm day. A solution is to take your dog on walks over grass. To provide a bit of protection, use paw wax for Pugs. If he has already got burned and you need a solution, using aloe vera based ointments or creams will aid in soothing the paws. If the injury looks serious, take him to a vet immediately for proper treatment.
Minor Cuts/Injuries.
Things like pebbles, splinters, or glass can penetrate the paw pads. This can be very dangerous if it gets infected. Unfortunately, paw pads take a long time to heal, and even minor cuts will require veterinary attention.
Treatment: You must check your Pug’s paws regularly to detect injuries. If there are any of these objects, you can normally remove them with tweezers, apply a cleaning solution, dry the wound, and employ a healing ointment. Your Pug may need a bandage, applied by your vet, to prevent the injury from constantly being irritated by coming into contact with the ground. This will speed up healing, and prevent your Pug from wanting to lick at it.
Allergies.
Allergies are one of the main reasons why your Pug might be chewing or licking at his paws. When he comes into contact with something that he is allergic too (such as food, pollens or grass) his immune system will flare-up. This releases histamine, which causes itching. The areas where the most histamine is released include the paws, in the armpits, and in the groin area.
Treatment: It is difficult to avoid some allergens, and as a result, your vet may need to dispense medications to decrease the immune reaction to them. But if you know that a specific type of food or grass sets off your dog’s allergies, then avoidance will minimize the symptoms.
Yeast Infections (musty Paws).
Yeast is commonly found on the skin of all dogs, but when your Pug has an underlying issue, such as an allergy, parasite infection, continuous moisture or injury, the yeast may proliferate and cause a secondary problem. Yeast overgrowth causes a musty smell to your Pug.
Treatment: Keeping your Pug’s paws dry, and addressing any underlying issues, will minimize yeast infections. If they become very bad, your vet will dispense a medicated shampoo to treat it.
Acral Lick Dermatitis
Acral lick dermatitis is a skin infection caused by the bacteria in the saliva. It is a result of excessive licking, which may be from boredom, stress, or underlying discomforts, such as osteoarthritis or skin allergies.
Treatment: This is one of the hardest Pug paw problems to solve. It is a result of an itch-lick cycle, where the paws are uncomfortable because of the infection, but the infection is there because of the licking. You must take your Pug to the vet to get this solved, as your vet will be able to determine the root cause. Treatments provided may include Separation Anxiety Toys for Pugs, Interactive Toys for Pugs, anxiety pills, antibiotics for infections or wounds, anti-fungal products, anti-inflammatories, allergy medications, and most importantly of all, a Buster-collar to stop him from being able to reach the paws to lick.
AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association
Cracked Pug Paws.
Cracked skin can be because of contact with abrasive surfaces, dry paws, old age or injuries. It also happens if your Pug has been walking on salted grit, put out when there is ice or snow. This is very corrosive to his sensitive paws. If this happens, the cracked paw may become infected quickly, so it must be detected asap.
Treatment: You must avoid at all costs that the underlying cause reaches this level. This is avoidable by proper care, and by using protective products. If the skin is cracked, you should always take your Pug to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
How Often Should I Treat My Pug Paws?
Pug’s paws should be checked every 2 weeks to see if they have issues. If your Pug suffers from dry or cracked paws, you should put on paw wax or cream for Pugs daily.
How To Heal Pug Paws: Practical (And Easy) STEPS!
- Get what you need! To clean up those muddy paws you’ll need some grooming wipes for Pugs (or washcloths and warm water if you don’t have special wipes), dry tissue or towel, and paw wax for an extra layer of protection.
- Pick the place: Put your Pug in a table where you can have access to his paws and you can work comfortably.
- Wash out those paws: Use the wipes to bring out the dirt out of the paws by gently swiping all around them. If they are too dirty, you can use washcloths moistened with warm water and a few drops of his shampoo first and then wipes to finish the job.
- Dry his paws carefully: Take your time to really dry out between the fingers.
- Apply some Paw Wax: Put on a small amount of paw wax or cream for Pugs. Make sure to hit every spot.
- Hug the Pug! This is not a joke; really take some time to hug your Pug and keep him a little bit quiet in your lap or on top of the table for like 5 min. Why? Apart from giving love? You let the paw wax be absorbed.
- Reward your pug for being patient. A good girl/boy always deserves a nice treat for Pugs or two!
Discover Useful Products To Keep Pug Paws HEALTHY!
Check-out our Detailed Reviews for Pugs to pick the best products for your Pug. We have invested time and effort to ease your buying decision! These are some of the products you can have to protect your Pug’s paws.
- Paw Waxes for Pugs: Great for keeping problems under control and for protecting them. It’s also excellent for treating dryness and helping them to tolerate heat, cold, and lack of traction.
- Seamus Medicated Anti Itch Spray (Amazon): Veterinarian Formula Itch – Perfect plant-derived antiseptic cleaning relief for sensitive skin issues that can occur from bacterial and fungal infections such as ringworm, tinea capitis, and mange.
- Treats for Pugs: they are always a good resource for training!
Note for our members: We make plenty of reviews from different brands in the Dog Supplies Market. We DO NOT get free products from product companies and have NO relationship whatsoever with them.
Frequently Asked Questions – Pug Paws Infections
This highly depends on the type of wound and the location. Problems with the skin on the top of the paw will only take a few days to heal if your Pug doesn’t lick it and you have the correct treatment for it from your vet. Wounds and problems with the underside pads, on the other hand, can take weeks to heal because of the constant contact with the ground. As a result, bandaging may help speed up recovery.
If you perceive a smell of corn chips coming from your Pug’s paws, relax; this is completely normal. Paws are one of the few parts of a dog’s bodies that actually sweat! If the smell is musty, go to the vet for a more accurate diagnosis as this might be a yeast overgrowth.
Many ways can be used together. Boots, creams, waxes, and ointments are among the most recommended! Ultimately, don’t walk your Pug on the hot or gritted ground, surfaces that have had chemicals added to them, or abrasive surfaces.
Conclusion
Paws are the base of a Pug’s mighty stance. The ‘multum in parvo’ element of brave Pugs wouldn’t be the same if he’s got a weird posture because of sore paws. As a result, not only his nature would be damaged, but also his whole body, such as his legs and back. To avoid this, proper cleaning, caring, and maintenance measures are the best thing you can do. Your Pug may even learn to love the extra attention!
After reading all of our steps, can you tell if you’ve been paying enough attention to your pug’s paws? Please share your thoughts…
