Dogs Get Calluses Too

Just like people, dogs get calluses and cracked skin on their paws. As in humans, calluses form when the skin repeatedly rubs against hard surfaces such as concrete. This can result in soreness and when severe, pain when your dog walks. Calluses can form on dog's elbows and paws. You may notice your dog limping due to callus build up or cracked paws or see dry skin or even large patches or bumps on their elbows.

Calluses and cracked skin on paw pads can form due to cold weather. You may notice your dog's paws and areas between their toes become swollen and red during the winter months. Another reason calluses form in addition to the repeated rubbing against hard surfaces is due to pet allergies. Some dogs have allergies and skin conditions which cause them to repeatedly chew and bite at their paws and the area between their paws. This can result in redness, soreness and even bleeding if chewing occurs for long periods of time. According to Peteducation.com, older dogs are especially prone to calluses on their elbows because of the longer periods they spend lying down. According to ivillage.com, calluses can also form due to deficiencies in zinc, or as a result of taking calcium supplements, which tends to absorb the mineral zinc. Calluses can also form when dogs are overweight or as a result of problems in their joints which result in uneven calluses forming on paw pads, according to ivillage.com. A vet will be able to diagnose any internal or joint problems based on the way your dog walks and the formation of calluses on the pads of their paws.

Once dogs get calluses, they can be difficult to treat. According to Healthypet.com, paw wounds are slow to heal because each time the dog steps down, the healing edges are pulled, which slows down the healing process. This also increases the chance of infection since the wounds on your dog's paws come into contact with the surface they walk on. Calluses on elbows form over a period of time of lying on hard surfaces such as hard wood floors, concrete, rough rugs, tile or linoleum. The best way to prevent callus formation on the elbows is to provide soft bedding for your dogs to lie on. Older dogs will especially benefit from orthopedic beds which provide extra cushioning.

In cases of severe infection, cracks and uneven or large calluses, you should take your dog to the vet for the appropriate treatment. For home remedies, Vitamin E in liquid form can be rubbed directly onto calluses and cracked paw pads. Supplements such as vitamin E vitamins and lipid supplements help to keep your dog's skin moisture in and conditions their coat and skin. Good old Vaseline can be applied directly to your dog's calluses on their paws or elbows daily or as often as needed. Booties can be worn in the winter time to prevent ice, snow and ice melt from harming your dog's paws. Severely cracked paw pads can be bandaged after a moisturizing or antibacterial ointment is applied. Bandages should be changed daily and not wrapped so tightly so as to cut off circulation. You should also observe the way your dog reacts to the bandage because many dogs will try to bite the bandage off which could result in swallowing harmful material and/or the paws worsening due to the repeated biting.

In the cold winter months, avoid walking with your dog on areas that have been salted. Consider buying pet-safe ice melt, such as Safe Paw, which is 100% salt free and safe for pets, children and the environment. You can also purchase a product called Mushers Wax for less than ten dollars at your local pet store. This product prevents burning from salt during the winter months and from burning on hot pavement in the summer months. Dip your dog's paw into the tube to coat the pad or rub onto their paw pads before heading outdoors.

Finally, another wonderful product is Bag Balm which can be purchased at your local pet store for about five dollars. This product can be used as a preventative measure for callus formation or to use during the hot or cold winter months as well as an aid to treat cracks and dry paws. It was originally designed to be used by farmers on cow udders which become chapped. Simple rub a dab of the Bag Balm onto your dog's paw pads and even on their nails as a way to condition them and to keep them from becoming brittle and cracked. This is especially important for older dogs who tend to have more brittle nails. I use Bag Balm about once a week on both my puppy and older dog to keep their paw pads healthy. When I first purchased Bag Balm it was to help heal severely dry and cracked paws on my older dog who was limping. I used the Bag Balm twice a week for a couple of weeks and noticed her paws soon beginning to heal and to become softer. I also apply it to her nails and underneath the nails on the quick to keep this area soft and pain free for her. I use Bag Balm on my puppy to keep her paw pads soft and as a preventative measure to any future callus formation. I have also come to find out that Bag Balm works well on my own dry and cracked skin and I always rub it into my hands after applying it to my dogs' paws.

We don't often think of dogs getting calluses like we do, but they do and can result in a lot of pain and difficulty walking for your dog. Simple preventative measures such as soft bedding will help prevent elbow calluses and products such as Bag Balm can be used as a preventative measure to keep your pup's paws soft and smooth or as a way to help aid already formed calluses and cracked paws.