Dog Paws Anatomy & Care Guide

Dog paws are more than cute little (or big) toe beans. They’re essential tools for movement, balance, temperature regulation, and even sensing the world around them. Understanding how your dog’s paws are built and how they function can help you spot what’s normal, recognize early signs of trouble, and keep your pup comfortable on every adventure. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how paws work, what to watch for, and how to care for them properly so your canine stays healthy from the ground up.

Understanding your dog’s paw anatomy

Dog feet come in all sorts of adorable shapes and sizes, but do you know what parts make up your dog’s paw? Dog’s paws contain ligaments, tendons, bone, tissue, and muscle. They have five main parts, each working together with the other parts of the paw to get your dog where they need to go.

1. The claw
2. Digital pads
3. Metacarpal pads (front paws) and metatarsal pads (rear paws)
4. Dewclaw
5. Carpal pad

Below are the key components of a dog paw and what each one does.

Digital Pads

These are the small, oval pads located underneath each toe. Digital pads cushion every step your dog takes and act as shock absorbers when running or jumping. They also give your dog traction on slippery or uneven surfaces.

Metacarpal / Metatarsal Pad

Often referred to as the “main pad,” this large central pad sits in the middle of the paw. On the front feet, it’s the metacarpal pad; on the rear feet, it’s the metatarsal pad. This pad bears most of your dog’s weight and helps absorb impact during movement.

Carpal Pad

Located slightly higher up on the front leg, the carpal pad doesn’t typically touch the ground when walking, but it plays a key role in stability. It acts like a brake or “heel,” offering traction and helping dogs slow down, stop, or navigate slopes safely.

Nails / Claws

A dog’s nails are made of keratin—the same protein found in human nails and hair. Each nail contains sensitive nerves and blood vessels, making proper trimming essential. Nails help dogs grip the ground, dig, and maintain balance while moving.

Dewclaw

The dewclaw is a small, thumb-like digit found higher up on the inside of the front legs (and on the rear legs in some breeds). Dewclaws help dogs grip objects, stabilize themselves during quick turns, and gain traction when running.

Webbing

Between each of your dog’s toes is a thin layer of connective tissue called webbing. Webbing helps dogs move efficiently across different surfaces—especially useful for swimming, digging, or walking on soft ground like sand or snow.

Skin and Fur

The thick skin on the paw pads protects the underlying tissue from heat, cold, and rough terrain, while the fur around and between the toes helps regulate temperature and keep debris out. Together, they protect your dog’s feet from environmental hazards.

How to keep your dog’s paws healthy

Practical Paw Care Tips

• Trim your dog’s nails regularly.
  Overgrown nails can cause discomfort, affect your dog’s gait, reduce traction, and increase the risk of ingrown nails or infections. Most dogs need nail trims every 3–4 weeks.
  
• Clean dog paws and paw pads after walks.
  Gently wipe away dirt, debris, allergens, and irritants. This is especially important after walking on hot pavement, salted sidewalks, or rough terrain. This also helps reduce excessive licking that may lead to infection.
  
• Moisturize dry or cracked pads.
  If your dog paw pads tend to dry out, especially in hot or cold weather, use a dog-safe paw balm or wax like Musher’s Secret to protect and hydrate the skin.
  
• Keep the fur between the toes trimmed.
  Long fur can mat, trap debris, and collect ice or mud between dog paw pads. Trimming it helps maintain traction and keeps the paws cleaner and more comfortable.
  
• Provide a complete and balanced diet that supports skin and coat health.
  Proper nutrition plays a direct role in the condition of your dog’s skin and paw pads, helping them stay resilient and healthy.
  
• Protect paws during extreme weather.
  In summer, avoid walking on hot pavement; in winter, use pet-safe de-icers and consider dog boots for icy or abrasive surfaces. Both extreme heat and cold can damage paw pads.
  
• Monitor for excessive licking, redness, or limping.
  These can be early signs of irritation, allergies, or injury. Addressing issues promptly prevents complications.
  
• Schedule regular wellness checkups with your veterinarian.
  Your DVM can spot early dog paw-related problems, offer grooming guidance, and help you address any persistent concerns.

Fun fact: Dogs sweat through their paws! Since the paws have sweat glands, it’s important to keep these protected to help regulate body temperature on particularly hot days.

Why is dog paw anatomy important?

Understanding your dog’s paw anatomy gives you a clearer picture of how their feet, leg bones and joints work, which goes a long way in protecting their overall health. When you know what each part of the paw does, it’s easier to spot what’s normal and what might signal a problem. This may help you catch early signs of irritation, infection, or injury before they become more serious.

Knowing how dog paws function also helps you choose the right gear. For example, understanding where the paw pads make contact with the ground can help you select properly fitted booties for hot pavement, rough trails, or icy conditions. You’ll also have a better sense of when your dog might benefit from canine paw balm, trimming the fur between the toes, or adjusting their walking routine.

Ultimately, a basic understanding of paw anatomy empowers pet parents to avoid injuries, support mobility, and keep their dogs comfortable and active at every life stage.

Common paw problems to watch for

The following are common paw and paw pad-related issues some dogs may face in their lifetime:

Cracked or Dry Pads: Paw pads can become dry, rough, or cracked, especially in extreme weather conditions or on abrasive surfaces. Frequent walking on hot pavement, ice, gravel, or chemically treated surfaces can wear down the protective layer of the pad.
Signs to Watch For: Limping, reluctance to walk, licking or chewing at the pads, or visible cracks in the skin.

Burns from Hot Surfaces: Paw pads are sensitive to heat and can be burned by hot pavement, sand, or asphalt.
Signs to Watch For: Whining, hesitation when your dog walks, lifting paws repeatedly, redness or blistering on the pads.

Torn or Overgrown Nails: Nails that are too long or accidentally torn can be painful and may bleed. If not trimmed regularly, they can catch on surfaces or curl under, causing tears. Active dogs may also break the quick while running or digging.
Signs to Watch For: Limping, reluctance to put weight on a paw, bleeding, or excessive licking of the nail.

Allergies: Contact with environmental allergens (like pollen, grass, or cleaning chemicals) or food sensitivities can trigger allergic reactions.
Signs to Watch For: Persistent licking, chewing, or rubbing of canine paws, redness, swelling, and sometimes odor from the affected area.

Infections: Moisture trapped between toes, cuts, or constant licking can create an environment for yeast infections to grow.
Signs to Watch For: Redness, swelling, foul smell, discharge, limping, or discomfort when the paw is touched.

Cuts, Scrapes, or Embedded Objects: Small cuts, abrasions, or foreign objects like thorns or gravel can get stuck in the paw.
Signs to Watch For: Limping, favoring one paw, licking or chewing at the paw, visible blood, or difficulty walking.

Pad Hyperkeratosis: A thickening of the pad tissue that can create hard, rough areas.
Signs to Watch For: Cracked, rough pads that are painful to touch, difficulty walking, or licking and chewing at the paws.

Support healthy paws from the inside out

Caring for your dog’s paws, legs, and joint health goes beyond preventing scratches or nail trimming—it’s an essential part of supporting their overall health and mobility. Strong, well-maintained paws, bones, and joints help your dog move comfortably, absorb impact, and stay active for years to come.

Make paw care a positive experience. Rewarding your dog with healthy treats while cleaning, trimming, or moisturizing their paw pads can help them stay calm, happy, and cooperative during grooming routines. With consistent care, attention, and a little encouragement, your dog’s paws can stay healthy and ready for every adventure. 

FAQ

This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.