Paw injuries such as broken nails are a common cause of sudden limping.1 Cut or torn pads, broken nails, splinters and grass awns between the toes, burns from hot pavement, and sprained or broken toes all cause dogs to favor a foot.1,2,3 You can give first aid for minor injuries at home, but even minor pad injuries can be stubborn, so a vet check is recommended, and deep cuts, heavy bleeding, broken nails and anything embedded need a vet.2,4 Paw wounds heal slowly because every step puts pressure on them.2,5 This guide covers the common paw injuries, first aid, how to tell a sprained toe from a broken one, healing times and when to see a vet.
See a vet promptly if your dog has:
- Bleeding that won't stop after 10 to 15 minutes of firm pressure2,6
- A deep or gaping cut, or a cut that goes all the way through the pad or skin6,2
- A broken or torn nail4
- Something embedded in the paw; don't dig it out yourself2
- A swollen toe, a foul smell or discharge, or a wound that's still open or bleeding after 3 days2
- Burned pads that are discolored or show raw tissue underneath2
Even gentle dogs may bite when they're hurt, so handle an injured paw carefully.4,7
What the Research Shows
- Most pad injuries are cuts. In a study of 120 pad injuries, 84% were lacerations and 68% were on the front feet.8
- Complications slow healing. Pad injuries healed in a median of about 17 days without major complications vs 29 days with them; major complications happened in 23% of full-thickness cuts and none of the shallower ones.8
- Broken nails are a common reason for a vet trim. Broken claws or dewclaws were the reason for 8.84% of nail-clipping events at UK vets.9
- Grass awns often end up in the feet. In 754 dogs with confirmed foxtails, about a quarter were in the skin, and nearly half of those were between the toes; cases peaked from May to July.10
- Toes get hurt in active dogs. Toe injuries made up 12.1% of injuries in a survey of 500 agility dogs.11
Common Dog Paw Injuries
- Cut or torn pads from glass, metal, sharp rocks or rough surfaces. Pads don't hold stitches well, and walking keeps reopening the wound.2,8
- Broken or torn nails. The quick inside the nail contains nerves and blood vessels, so a broken nail bleeds and hurts.12
- Grass awns (foxtails), thorns and splinters. Foxtails can work their way between the toes, causing a painful lump, limping and constant licking.3,13,10
- Burns and abrasions from hot pavement, rough ground or de-icing salt.2
- Broken or injured toes, from being stepped on, catching a toe in decking or a fence, or stubbing it.14
First Aid for a Dog Paw Injury
- Keep everyone safe. Have someone gently hold your dog, and use a muzzle if needed, but never if your dog is vomiting.7,4
- Stop bleeding. Press a clean cloth or gauze firmly on the wound for at least 3 minutes without peeking. If it's still bleeding after 10 to 15 minutes, go to a vet.7,2
- Clean it. Rinse with cool water, remove only debris that comes away easily, and wash gently with mild soap. Don't use hydrogen peroxide.2,7
- Cover it. Use non-stick gauze and a light self-adhesive wrap from the toes up past the wrist or ankle, loose enough to slide two fingers under. Change it daily and keep it dry. If the toes swell, or you notice a bad smell or discharge, remove it and call your vet.2
- Stop licking with a cone (Elizabethan collar) or a soft recovery collar.15
For a broken nail, wrap the foot loosely in a clean cloth and call your vet; leave trimming the broken piece to them unless it's a loose sliver.12,4 Don't try to splint a paw or toe yourself; a badly applied splint can do more harm than good.7
Sprained Paw or Toe vs Broken Toe
A sprained toe or paw and a broken toe look alike: limping, swelling and pain. A toe that is swollen or moves abnormally (unstable) may be fractured.14 X-rays are needed to tell them apart.14 Soft-tissue injuries are usually treated with strict rest and vet-prescribed pain relief.16 Fractures may need a splint or cast for several weeks, or surgery.14 If the limp hasn't improved after a day or two of rest, see your vet.17,18
How Long Do Paw Injuries Take to Heal?
- Superficial scrapes and burns: the surface may regrow in about 7 to 9 days.5
- Pad cuts: a median of about 17 days in one study when there were no major complications, and about 29 days when there were.8
- Deeper scrapes and burns: up to about 3 weeks, depending on size.5
- Toe fractures: a splint for 4 to 5 weeks after surgical repair, or, as an alternative after surgery, a cast for 8 to 10 weeks.14
Preventing Paw Injuries
- Check walking areas for glass and sharp metal2
- Avoid hot sidewalks in summer and icy or salted sidewalks in winter2
- Check paws and between the toes after walks in grassy areas during foxtail season13
- Keep nails trimmed; short nails are less likely to snag4
See also dog limping and dog sprains and strains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I treat my dog's injured paw?
Stop any bleeding with pressure, rinse with cool water, cover with a light bandage and stop licking. See a vet for deep cuts, embedded objects or broken nails.
How can I tell if my dog's paw is broken or just sprained?
You usually can't without an X-ray. A crooked toe, a lot of swelling or a dog that won't use the foot needs a vet.
Will a dog's paw injury heal on its own?
Small scrapes often do. Deeper cuts, broken nails and toe injuries heal better with vet care.
How long does a torn paw pad take to heal?
In one study, pad injuries healed in a median of about 17 days without major complications and about 29 days with them.
Should I let my dog lick a paw wound?
No. Licking can reopen the wound and cause infection, so use a cone (Elizabethan collar).
Can I put Neosporin on my dog's paw?
Ask your vet first. Licked-off ointment and bandage problems can cause trouble, and deep wounds need a vet.
When should I take my dog to the vet for a paw injury?
If bleeding won't stop in 10 to 15 minutes, the cut is deep, a nail is broken, something is embedded, or it's swollen or smelly.
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Sources and further reading
This article was rewritten and fact-checked on October 16, 2026 against current veterinary references and specialist guidelines:
- Williams K, Hunter T, Ward E. Lameness in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals, 2024.
- Weir M, Llera R, Buzhardt L. First aid for torn or injured foot pads in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals.
- Moriello KA. Interdigital furunculosis in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual, 2024.
- Weir M, Williams K, Buzhardt L. First aid for broken nails in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals.
- Amalsadvala T. Paw tissues unique; injuries need special care, attention. dvm360.
- Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. Recognizing a pet emergency. Pet Talk, 2019.
- American Veterinary Medical Association. Pet first aid (client brochure). AVMA, 2025.
- Hansen LA, Hazenfield KM, Olea-Popelka FJ, Smeak DD. Distribution, complications, and outcome of footpad injuries in pet and military working dogs. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 2015.
- Ahmed LA, Somarriba M, Brodbelt DC, et al. Epidemiology and clinical management of nail clipping in dogs under UK primary veterinary care. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2025 (VetCompass).
- Philp HS, Epstein SE, Hopper K. Clinical and clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, and outcome for dogs and cats with confirmed foxtail foreign body lesions: 791 cases (2009–2018). Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 2022.
- Evanow JA, VanDeventer GM, Dinallo GK, et al. Internet survey of participant demographics and risk factors for injury in competitive agility dogs. VCOT Open, 2021.
- Haenni C. The case of the broken toenail. University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, 2026.
- UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Foxtails pose serious health risks to animals. 2019.
- BluePearl Specialists. Toe fractures in your pet's paws. 2019.
- Barnes C, Llera R, Ward E. Elizabethan collars in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals.
- Boldan M. Sprains and strains in dogs. PetMD, 2023 (veterinarian-written).
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center. What to expect when taking your limping dog to the veterinarian. 2026.
- BluePearl Pet Hospital. Dog limping: a sore paw, or more? (emergency hospital).
About this article
Last updated : fully rewritten using VCA, AVMA, Merck Veterinary Manual and peer-reviewed studies of paw, pad, nail and toe injuries; added first-aid steps, healing times and an FAQ.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian.
