Why does my dog keep getting infected between the toes? | arlo.® Atlas

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your dog keeps getting infected between the toes, the most common reasons are moisture, licking, allergies, trapped debris, or skin that has become irritated and easier to infect. It can be frustrating, but there are usually a few practical things you can check at home while you work out what keeps setting it off.

It’s worth looking at the pattern carefully, because repeated toe infections often happen for a reason rather than by chance.

Things To Check

1. Check whether it starts after walks, muddy outings, swimming, grooming, or time on damp ground.

2. Look closely between each toe for redness, swelling, broken skin, scabs, discharge, moisture, or a smell.

3. See if your dog is licking, chewing, or chewing at one paw more than the others.

4. Check for something obvious like a thorn, grass seed, burr, small cut, or a split claw.

5. Notice whether the skin elsewhere is also itchy, red, flaky, or sore, which can point to a wider skin issue.

6. Think about whether the problem keeps coming back in the same toe web or moves between paws.

7. Look at bedding, carpets, and exercise areas for anything that may be keeping the paw damp or dirty.

Common Causes

The most common cause is irritation from moisture, dirt, or repeated licking, which can make the skin between the toes vulnerable to infection.

Allergies are another common reason. Dogs with skin allergies often lick their paws, and that constant irritation can lead to a cycle of soreness and infection.

Something stuck in the paw, such as a grass seed or small splinter, can also trigger a local infection, especially if it keeps rubbing the same area.

Less often, a dog may have a deeper skin condition, yeast overgrowth, or a problem affecting the claws or paw structure that makes infections more likely.

What To Do

Keep the paws as clean and dry as you can after wet walks, muddy exercise, or swimming. Gently dry between the toes rather than rubbing hard.

Try to stop the licking if you can, because repeated licking often keeps the skin inflamed and slows settling.

Check the paws regularly so you can spot the start of a flare-up early, before it becomes more uncomfortable.

Keep note of when it happens, which paw is affected, and what your dog had been doing beforehand. That pattern can be very helpful if you need veterinary advice.

If the area keeps coming back, seems painful, or is getting worse despite careful home management, it’s sensible to book a vet appointment. Recurring paw infections often need the cause identified as well as the sore skin managed.

Products That May Help

For dogs with recurring paw irritation, a simple grooming and cleaning routine can make it easier to keep the skin around the feet comfortable and well cared for.

Pet Care

Item added to your cart