Why are my dog's paw pads cracked and dry?

Hot pavement in summer and cold, dry air combined with salted roads in winter are two of the most common triggers, since both strip moisture from the outer layer of the pad faster than it can regenerate. Rough terrain like gravel or unfinished trails can also wear pads down faster than a dog's typical walking surface.

Pads are naturally tough but still need some moisture to stay flexible, similar to skin elsewhere on the body. Once they dry out beyond a certain point, the surface loses its give and small cracks form at pressure points, which then worsen with continued walking rather than healing between outings.

Applying a vet recommended paw balm 3 to 4 times a week, and limiting walks on the harshest surfaces while pads recover, generally improves mild dryness within 1 to 2 weeks. Deep cracks, cracks that bleed, or ones causing a visible limp are beyond home care and need a vet's assessment.

Older dogs sometimes develop naturally drier, less elastic paw pads simply as part of the aging process, similar to how human skin can become drier with age, which means a senior dog might need more consistent balm application than it did as a younger adult even without any change in walking surface or weather.

A humidifier running in a particularly dry heated home during winter months can occasionally help with overall skin and pad dryness, alongside topical balm, since very low indoor humidity affects paw pads in much the same way it can dry out human skin.