Soothing Your Dog's Itchy Paws With Simple Home Remedies

Itchy paws can be an issue for a dog and their owner. The dog just wants relief, and the owner wants their best friend to feel better. Fortunately, there are some simple, affordable ways to get relief for your dog — and for you. Let’s take a closer look at some causes of itchy dog paws, home remedy options, and how to stop dog paws from itching.

Why Are My Dog’s Paws Itchy?

There are several reasons why your dog may be experiencing itchy paws. Allergies are a common culprit. Food proteins, grass, pollen, and other allergens can make your dog itch everywhere, but the paws are often the most afflicted.¹

Hygiene is also important.¹ Dirt and moisture can get stuck between the paw pads, causing irritation or even infection. Yeast infections are particularly common and can cause your dog extreme discomfort. It’s also important to keep your pup’s paws moisturized. Dry paw pads can cause peeling and cracking.¹

Treating Itchy Dog Paws: Home Remedies

Fortunately, there are many ways you can help relieve your dog’s itchy paws at home. A canine-friendly lotion can help soothe dry, cracked paw pads. Be sure to check with your vet before applying any lotion or cream, and avoid ingredients that can be toxic to dogs, including:²

• Zinc oxide
• Hydrocortisone
• Lidocaine
• Diclofenac
• Calcipotriene

If you’re looking for a more natural remedy, consider some of the following:

Aloe vera cream

Aloe isn’t just for sunburn. It can also help relieve itchy paws by drawing the heat away from the dry and burning pads.³ Aloe cream can be made at home if you own an aloe plant, or you can buy it from a store. To be safe, look for a cream that’s 100% aloe.³

Colloidal oatmeal

Finely ground oatmeal, when combined with water, creates a colloidal oatmeal paste that can be used to relieve dry, itchy skin.⁴ It can do the same for your dog’s itchy paws and is even safe for them to ingest if they lick their paws.³

Apple cider vinegar

If a yeast infection is causing your dog’s itchy paws, apple cider vinegar could be a useful home remedy. It has both antifungal and antibacterial properties.³ You can easily make a solution that’s 50% water and 50% apple cider vinegar. Just be sure to avoid applying vinegar to areas where the paw pads are cracked or otherwise damaged.

Dog boots

You may also consider covering your dog’s paws with booties after you apply a cream or salve. This will keep your dog from licking it off and will also prevent the cream from rubbing off.

Booties can serve another purpose, too: preventing paw irritation in the first place. Covering your dog’s paws while walking outdoors in extreme temperatures can help keep their pads healthy.⁵

Treating a Dog’s Itchy Paws: Medicine

Home remedies may be able to offer your dog relief from itchy paws, but medication could address the root cause. Your vet might recommend antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) or steroids if the itchiness is from an allergic reaction. For itchiness caused by yeast infections, antifungal medication (e.g., fluconazole, terbinafine, etc.) could be just what the doctor ordered.⁶ Immunotherapy could also help lower their sensitivity to the presence of naturally-occurring yeast colonies.⁶

Scratch That Itch: Consider Pet Insurance

Dry, cracked, or yeast-infected paws can cause your dog (and you) anxiety. It can also be expensive to deal with. Dog allergy testing averages around $200 per session, and it could require multiple tries to narrow down the exact cause of itchy paws.⁷ Fortunately, a dog insurance policy could help cover the cost of treating your pup’s itchy paws.

Take the case of Copper as an example. This 3-year-old dog was brought to the vet by her parents after suffering an unknown allergic reaction. The final bill for the exam came to nearly $800. But thanks to their MetLife Pet insurance plan, Copper’s parents were reimbursed for almost $430 — that’s over half the total cost!⁸

Is pet insurance right for you and your dog? Get more information from our guide, “Is Pet Insurance Worth It?”, or get started on your free quote today!