Dog Paw Pad Peeling : 9 Clear Reasons Why Dog’s Paw Pad Came Off

It can be quite disturbing to observe that your dog’s paw pad is peeling. The moment you make this observation, you are bound to have many questions. You will want to know what is making the dog paw pads peel, whether it is something to worry about, and how it can be resolved. Read on, for answers.

Why is my dog paw pad peeling? In some cases, it is as a result of wear and tear or dryness. It can also be due to allergic reactions. And it can be due to diseases, such as pemphigus, hyperkeratosis and certain liver conditions as well.

In the worst case scenario, dog paw peeling may worsen to a point at which you just come to discover that the dog’s paw pad came off completely.

Thus any case of dogs paw pads peeling shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The extent to which the dog pad is peeling can be helpful in figuring out the right way forward. Sometimes, you may find the dogs paw peeling only slightly.

In such cases, even simple home remedies may be good enough to resolve the issue.

But in other cases, you may find a dog paw pad sloughing or eroding at an alarming rate. In such cases, urgent veterinary care is obviously essential.

The most important thing to understand is that there are measures through which dog paw pad problems can be prevented. We shall be looking at those later.

Therefore you don’t have to wait until you get to a point of complaining “part of my dog’s paw pad is coming off” or “my dog’s paw pad is peeling”.

You can avoid the whole thing, through the use of the right preventative measures.

What Role Do Dog Paw Pads Serve?

Before proceeding with a discussion on how to deal with dog paw pad peeling, we first need to understand the role that dog paws serve.

As it turns out, the dog’s paw pads serve as ‘shock absorbers’ while the dog is moving around. They also provide support, as they end up bearing much of the dog’s weight when it is on its feet.

The pads also function as brakes, when the dog is running.

And if dogs have to make sudden turns while running, it is the paw pads that offer it the traction it needs not to tip over and fall.

The pads also generally play a key part in maintaining the dog’s balance.

Against that background, one can just imagine what happens if a dog’s pad comes off.

It is clear that any case of dogs paws peeling can impact the dog negatively to a great extent.

Can a dog’s pad fall off? This too is a possibility. It happens often enough. Thus if you had the can dogs paw pads fall off question, this is the answer to it.

And a dog paw pad coming off completely can actually render the dog immobile. Or, at the very least, a dog foot pad peeling can greatly lower the dog’s quality of life.

If a dog’s paw pad came off, then the situation can be quite dire for the dog.

Is It Normal For Dog Paw Pads To Peel?

The moment you observe dog paw pad peeling, you will definitely want to know whether it is normal.

That naturally leads to the question: is it normal for my dog’s paw pads to peel?

So, indeed, is dog paw pad peeling off normal? The answer is ‘yes’. Some degree of dogs pad peeling off is quite normal. Like all other dog body parts, the paw pads are always undergoing regeneration.

That sometimes entails the old dog pad coming off gradually, and its place being taken by a new layer. However, the normal paw pad peeling dog experiences is gradual.

Normal dog paw pads peeling off is at such a gradual rate that it is barely noticeable.

If you find that a dogs pad is coming off at a very fast rate, then that is not normal.

Or if you find that the dog’s paw pad came off suddenly and completely, then that is obviously not normal.

So in such cases, you would be entitled to ask, why is my dogs paw pads peeling so fast?

Dog paw pad top layer peeling off gradually may be quite normal. Here, you find the dog’s paw pad peeling off to make room for regeneration.

The normal peeling of dog paw pads is not aggressive. You will definitely not find the dog paw pads raw on account of it. It doesn’t lead to dog paw pad injury.

Going through dog paw pad peeling Reddit threads, you soon discover that there is normal, then there is abnormal peeling of dog paw pads.

So there is the normal dog pad peeling. This entails dog paw pads coming off gradually, to make room for new growth.

There is the more aggressive (abnormal) dog paw pad coming off scenario.

How Do You Know When A Dog’s Paw Pad Is Peeling?

People who are still new to dogs may pose this question: on how to tell when a dog’s paw pad is peeling.

In this context, regular inspection of the dog’s paws is essential.

The phenomenon typically entails dog paw skin peeling away. The pad in question here is the tough leathery layer covering the dog’s paw. Sometimes, it starts breaking off/eroding. That is the ‘peeling’ we are making reference to.

In most cases, you just tend to find that the dog lost skin on pad at an alarming rate. Usually, it may start with dog paw pads flaking. Then you notice the tough skin on dogs paws peeling.

It may specifically be a case of dog paws peeling callus. Or it may be a case of dog carpal pad peeling…

Of course, if you don’t inspect your dog’s paws regularly, you may not notice the initial signs.

You may just come one day to find that the dog’s paw pad came off completely!

But before we get to this stage (of finding that the dog’s paw pad came off completely), there will usually have been prior telltale signs.

Rarely do we just find that a dog’s paw pad came off completely all of a sudden.

Normally, there is progression: from skin flaking to minor sloughing and eventually onto complete erosion of the dog paw pad.

Why Is My Dog Paw Pad Peeling?

Once it becomes clear that your dog’s paw pad is peeling, the main question at the back of your mind will be as to why it is happening.

So you will want to know, why do dogs paw pads peel? And why is my dog’s paw pad peeling in particular?   

There are actually several things that can make a dog’s paw pad peel off.

Firstly, a dog’s paw pad may peel off as a result of wear and tear or dryness. Dog paw pad peeling from running would be within this context.

Secondly, the dog’s paw pad may peel off as a result of allergies.

And thirdly, the dog’s paw pad may peel off due to certain diseases. Hyperkeratosis dog paw pad peeling would be within this context.

Thus if you had the why is my dog’s paw peeling question, these are the possibilities you need to think in terms of.

There are other categories of dog paw problems, of course. But our focus here is specifically on dog pads peeling. And all cases of dogs pads peeling are typically on account of one of the above causes.

If you find your dog paw peeled, that may be due to wear and tear. It is quite common to find top layer of paw pad coming off due to wear and tear.

Alternatively, if you happen to encounter peeling dog paw pad, it may be due to allergies. Thus these too can cause peeling dog paw pads.

At yet another level, you can find a dog paw pad peeled off due to a disease. Some diseases do indeed have a dog feet peeling effect.

Let’s now look at each of these possible causes of dog paw pad peeling in turn.

Wear And Tear As A Possible Reason For Dog Paw Pad Peeling

The dog paw pad is the part of the dog’s body that is in contact with the ground when the dog is moving around.

As such, the dog paw pad is bound to experience wear and tear. This wear and tear can eventually lead to the paw pad peeling.

There is normal wear and tear. Then there is abnormal wear and tear. The latter may come into play if, for instance, the dog has to move on very rough, very hot or very cold surfaces.

It may not take long for you to start complaining ‘my dog’s paw pad is coming off too fast’ if you make your dog to constantly walk on too rough surfaces.

Once you make that mistake, it tends to be just a matter of time before you start complaining ‘my dogs paws are peeling’. Or if it is a puppy, you soon find yourself complaining ‘my puppy paws are peeling’.

Puppy paw pads peeling off due to wear and tear is actually possible, if the puppies are made to walk on very rough, very cold or very hot surfaces.

Thus whenever you observe that your dogs pad is peeling off, you need to consider the possibility of it being due to wear and tear.

In most cases, you actually find that the dogs paw is peeling off simply due to wear and tear.

This is why it makes sense to use devices like dog booties or at least dog socks, to minimize such wear and tear.

Wear and tear takes its toll slowly over time. But if you don’t regularly inspect it, you may just wake up one day to find that the dog’s paw pad came off due to wear and tear.

Dryness As A Possible Reason For Dog Paw Pad Peeling

If the dog’s paw pads are ever dry, then they may eventually start peeling off.

So it may start as a case of carpal pad dog dry flaking. Then it worsens to the dog paw pad peeling.

If it doesn’t cause the pads to peel off, dryness can also cause ripping off the paw pads.

Therefore it is possible to find dog ripped paw pad, due to persistent dryness.

Actually, whenever there is a dog paw pad ripped off not bleeding case, dryness is always a possibility.

You may find dog ripped pad on back of leg. Then investigation reveals that it is due to persistent pad dryness.

Thus persistent dryness can even make a dog paw pad to peel off. It can even rip off a dog paw pad. So you just discover that the dog’s paw pad came off due to persistent dryness…

This is why moisturizing the dog paw pad is such a good idea.

Dryness in the dog paw pads is not to be taken lightly. Sometimes, you even find the dog paws bleeding on account of injuries that arise due to the dryness.

In fact, whenever you find that the dogs paws are bleeding, you need to consider the possibility of dryness (and the injuries it causes) being the root cause.

Some dogs paws bleeding cases are definitely due to injuries that arise as a result of dryness.

Allergy As A Reason For Dog Paw Pad Peeling

Certain allergies can make a dog paw pad peel.

Sometimes, the allergies may make the dog paw pads itchy. Then the dog keeps on licking them excessively. Or the dog keeps on scratching them against rough surfaces, in search of relief from the itching.

The end result can be that of the dog paw pads peeling off.

This may specifically be a case of a dog paw pad peeling but not bleeding.

Thus the allergy itself may not cause a torn paw pad. Rather, the allergy just makes the paw pad itchy. Then the dog keeps on licking it excessively and scratching it against all manner of rough surfaces, in search of itchiness relief…

In due course, the whole thing can get you complaining “my dogs paw pads are peeling”. Actually, in the worst case scenario, you may find yourself complaining “my dog’s paw pad fell off”.

All on account of what initially started as an allergy itch.

When faced with peeling dog paws, most people don’t consider the possibility of those incidents being due to allergies.

Yet an allergy can indeed be the reason behind dog pad skin peeling. It can actually worsen to the level of the dog paw pad coming apart.

Thus whenever you find the pads on dog’s paw peeling, it is worth considering this possibility.

Even cases of puppy foot pads peeling off can be due to allergies.

Disease As A Possible Reason For Dog Paw Peeling

There are certain diseases that can make a dog paw pad peel.

In fact, even if you happen to find that a dog’s paw pad came off on its own almost suddenly, this may be due to a disease.

One disease that can cause a dog’s paw pad to peel is pemphigus. You may actually find the dog paw pad lifting off due to this disease, which normally starts with blisters.

You may therefore be initially thinking that you have a case of dog paw pads raw from running. But in actual fact, it turns out to be a serious disease that is causing the problem.

Another disease that can cause a dog’s paw pad to peel hyperkeratosis. This starts with softening of the dog foot pads, and then it progresses to those foot pads peeling off.

Thus if you had the why are my dogs pads peeling off question, this is one more possible reason to consider.

Another disease that can lead to peeling pads on dogs feet is demodicosis. This starts with inflammation, and graduates to the dog’s paw pads peeling off.

Even more worryingly, the peeling off of dog paw pads can be an indication of liver problems. Or it can be a sign of zinc deficiency or problems with the dog’s ability to absorb zinc.

What Does It Mean When Your Dog’s Paws Are Peeling?

Dog paw pad peeling has several possible meanings.

It may just be a sign that you are making your dog to walk on very rough, very cold or very hot surfaces. Therefore the dog’s paw pads experience lots of wear and tear. And then they start peeling off.

The peeling of your dog’s paw pads may also be a sign that your dog is having an allergic reaction to something.

Further, the peeling of your dog’s paw pads may be an indication that the dog’s paw pads are persistently dry.

On yet another note, the peeling off of your dog’s paw pads may be a sign that the dog has some underlying disease.

Thus if my dog paw skin is peeling off, these are the possibilities I would consider. These are the common reasons for dog foot pads coming off.

While at it, one may ask, do dogs paw pads shed? And the answer is ‘yes’. But normal shedding of the dog paw pad skin is usually at such a gradual rate that it is hardly noticeable.

If you happen to see noticeable sloughing off or erosion of dog paw pads, it may be due to some problematic issue.

Dog’s Paw Pad Came Off – Will It Grow Back?

If your dog’s paw pad came off, you will naturally want to know whether it will grow back.

Thankfully, the answer is ‘yes’. Most cases of dog paw pad peeling are followed by proper recovery.

Dog paw pad peeling healing time can be quite lengthy. But if the dog’s paw pad came off, chances are that it will gradually grow back.

Dog’s Paw Pad Came Off – Will It Heal By Itself?

It is possible for a dog’s paw pad that came off to heal by itself.

But in that case, the dog paw pad peeling healing time may be quite lengthy.

On the other hand, dog paw pad peeling treatment can hasten the healing.

You just need to research on how to treat peeling dog pads. You will then find tips on what to do for peeling paw pads, to make them heal faster.

Thus if your dog’s paw pad came off, it may heal by itself. But using the right dog paw pads peeling treatment, you may somewhat shorten the healing time.

Dog’s Paw Pad Came Off – How Long Will Take To Grow Back?

If you have a case of dog paw pad peeling off, you will definitely want to know how long it would take to heal fully.

That is what leads to questions like, how long does it take for a dog’s paw pad to heal fully? Or, my dog’s paws are peeling, how long will it take for new pads to grow?

The truth of the matter is that it typically takes up to 2 months for the dog paw pad skin to regrow and toughen into a proper pad.

So 2 months is the amount of time you should provide, for proper and full healing.

Dog’s Paw Pad Came Off – What Is The Best Thing To Do?

Upon realizing that you have a case of dog paw pad peeling off, you will want to know what the best way forward is.

This then leads to questions on what to do if dogs foot pad is coming off.

Now what to do when your dog’s pad comes off largely depends on the severity of the case.

For instance, what to do if your dog’s paw pad is bleeding is quite different from what to do if the paw pad is coming off without bleeding.

In most cases, it makes sense to clean the paws in question thoroughly but gently. If you research on “what to do if my dog’s paws are peeling”, that is one tip you keep on getting.

Further, you need to put in place measures to prevent infection. Once the tough pad skin peels off, the paw remains prone to infections.

You can use an antiseptic, to ward off any infections. So you wash with antiseptic solution.

That is another point that you will keep on getting, if you research on what to do if your dog’s paw is peeling.

In fact, that is within the domain of how to treat peeling dog paws.

Another useful dog paw pads peeling off treatment tip that works well is that of bandaging. So you bandage lightly, to keep the dog from licking the area.

If you research on how do I treat my dogs peeling pads, you will notice that most sources recommend light bandaging.

Generally, when it comes to paw pad issues and injuries, these strategies work well.

Several dog paw pad peeling cases warrant immediate veterinary attention.

How Can You Prevent Dog Paw Pad Peeling?

If your dog’s paw pad came off at some point, you will definitely want to know what to do to prevent it from ever happening again.

Even if it is a relatively minor case of dog paw pads peeling slightly, you will still want to know how you can keep it from progressing.

One good strategy is that of regularly moisturizing the dog’s paws. You can use balm for this. Or you can even use Vaseline.

Remember, dryness and cracking is normally what precedes dog paw pads peeling.

And when you research on how to care for your dog’s cracked and dry paws, you see that the experts recommend moisturizing properly. Therefore this can be very helpful.

In fact, even with respect to what to do when your dog’s paw pads are peeling, this strategy of keeping the paws moisturized still works well.

Another helpful strategy is that of investing in good doggie booties. We saw that dog paw pads sometimes peel off due to wear and tear. Doggie booties can minimize that.

It is good to make a routine of regularly inspecting your dog’s paws. And when you happen to pick any abnormalities (such as flaking), attend to them immediately.

It is some of these issues that eventually escalate into dog paw pads peeling.

Seeing to it that the hair between the dog’s toes does not matte has also been known to be helpful in preventing dog paw pads peeling.

Final Verdict – Dog Paw Pad Peeling

There are several things that can make a dog’s paw pad peel. Wear and tear is one factor that may make a dog’s paw pad peel. Another factor that may cause a dog’s paw pad to peel is perpetual dryness.

Allergies and diseases too can make dog’s paw pads peel.

The peeling of a dog’s paw pad can greatly lower the dog’s quality of life.

Measures such as washing with antiseptics, applying ointments and light bandaging can help if your dog’s paw pads peeled off.

More severe cases of dog paw pads peeling are best treated by vets.

You can prevent the peeling of dog paw pads by investing in good dog booties or dog socks. Ensuring that the dog’s paws are properly moisturized at all times can also be helpful.

Further, ensuring that the hair between the dog’s toes doesn’t matte is critical.

And most importantly you also need to keep the dog from walking too much on surfaces that are too rough, too hot or too cold.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet dog a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️