What should I check if my dog has a painful spot in the webbing of its paw?
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Overview
If your dog has a painful spot in the webbing of its paw, start by checking for a grass seed, small cut, thorn, sore pad, swelling or any trapped dirt. These spots are often caused by something minor that’s irritated the skin, but they can also be the first sign of an embedded foreign body or infection, so it’s worth looking carefully.
Things To Check
1. Check whether the pain started after a walk, running through long grass, or time in muddy ground.
2. Look closely between all the toes and in the webbing for redness, swelling, a tiny hole, a scab, discharge or a visible seed.
3. Compare the sore paw with the others to see if one area feels warmer, looks puffier, or seems more sensitive to touch.
4. Gently part the fur to check for matted dirt, a small thorn, glass, burrs or anything stuck in the skin.
5. Watch whether your dog is licking, biting, holding the paw up, or making the soreness worse after rest or exercise.
6. Check the claws and the skin around the nails as pain can sometimes come from there rather than the webbing itself.
7. Look for limpness, a bad smell, or any blood or pus, as these can suggest the area needs proper attention.
Common Causes
The most common cause is a grass seed or other small bit of plant material getting caught in the webbing or working into the skin. Small cuts, grazes and simple irritation from wet ground, rough surfaces or debris are also common.
Sometimes the problem is a bite or sting, a cracked pad, a sore claw, or a skin infection starting in a tiny wound. Less commonly, a deeper foreign body or a developing abscess may be involved.
What To Do
If your dog will allow it, gently inspect the paw in good light and rinse away loose dirt with lukewarm water. Keep the area clean and dry, and stop your dog from licking it if it’s making the spot more irritated.
Try to keep walks short and avoid long grass or muddy ground until you’ve worked out what’s going on. If you can see a foreign body sitting at the surface and it comes away easily, that may help, but don’t dig around in the skin.
Make a note of how the paw looks over the next few hours. If it gets more swollen, starts to ooze, or your dog becomes less willing to put weight on it, it’s best to have it checked.
When To Contact A Vet
Speak to your vet promptly if the paw is very swollen, the pain is getting worse, your dog is limping significantly, or you suspect a grass seed or other foreign body may be embedded. Pus, a bad smell, repeated licking, or a wound that isn’t settling are also good reasons to get it looked at.
Products That May Help
For ongoing paw care, a few everyday hygiene items can be useful as part of your routine, especially after muddy walks or time in long grass.
Related Questions
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Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.