A foot pad burn is something you can usually treat at home.
How might a pet injure a foot pad?
- Asphalt roads can reach more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit on the hottest summer days.
- Walking on fresh tar or asphalt — which can reach over 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A curious dog or cat may burn his feet on a hot stovetop.
- An inquisitive cat may explore a candle or hot light bulb with a paw.
If your pet has burned a foot pad, the first thing you should do is get the injured paw into cold water. And not just a quick dip — the paw should be soaked for five to ten minutes. If your pet won’t tolerate a foot bath, apply a cold compress. Fill a washcloth with ice and apply it to the burned foot pad. For chemical burns (like from road salt), flood the injury with water for at least twenty minutes.
If your pet has a chemical burn, don’t let him lick the injury! If something burns on the outside, it will burn on the inside, too.
Wash the foot pad carefully — burns can get infected easily. Use an antiseptic or antibacterial soap if you have one handy. Pat the paw dry, apply an antibiotic ointment, and then bandage the paw.
Paws are hard to keep covered, so you’ll probably want to slip a sock on over the bandage. If the wound is weeping (like a burst blister), use an absorbent, non-stick pad for the innermost layer of the bandage. Plan on changing the bandage every day or every other day
When do you need the vet?
- If you can see exposed pink tissue on the foot pad.
- If you can see blisters.
- If your pet has burned more than one foot.
- If the injured foot doesn’t get better in two days.