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As a dog owner you probably find yourself googling questions anytime something is going on with your dog. Since you’re here you’re likely noticing some pink and black color changes in your dog’s paws and need to know what it means.
Why Are My Dogs Paw Pads Pink & Black:
Pink and black paw pads may be your dog’s natural pigmentation. But, If you have a puppy their paws might be going through a process called “marbling” causing their paw pads to thicken and change from pink to black. For adult dogs this could mean a layer of skin on their paws is coming off.
In this post you’ll discover:
- 4 reasons why dogs have pink & black paws
- 7 strategies to keep your pups paws protected & healthy
- 2 other common dog paw problems you should look out for
- and more
Let’s dig in.
Table of Contents
4 Reasons Dogs Have Pink & Black Paws
This section will focus on giving you all the information you need about pink and black paws. There are 3 major reasons a dog’s paws change colors from pink to black or vice versa.
1) Outer Skin Growth (Pink To Black Color Change)
When we humans are babies our feet start off soft and delicate. As we grow and start to walk on our feet, they strengthen and develop a thicker layer of protection.
Also, unlike dogs we wear shoes most places we go.
These shoes give us a layer of protection. Because of this the bottoms of our feet tend to stay relatively soft compared to other animals.
Dogs are similar in the sense that they start out with soft feet.
However, they quickly develop a thick layer of protection on the bottoms of their feet as they grow up. This thick layer is the black color you see on a dog’s paws.
So young dogs will start off with a soft pink color paw but as the thick layer of protection grows their paws will change colors to black.
This black protective layer on a dog’s paw is called the Stratum Corneum.
Now, with any form of growth, things don’t happen all at once. There is a transition period called “marbling” where your dog’s paws may have patches of pink and black.
So in summary, why are your dog’s paw pads turning black?
It’s a normal part of growth. As a puppy grows older their paws become tougher and develop a black coloration.
They don’t get to wear shoes everywhere like we do, so instead they get a thick black layer of protection for their paws.
They are basically developing their own little shoes.
2) Paw Pad Skin Is Coming Off (Black To Pink Color Change)
If you have an adult dog and their paws are showing patches of pink (that are usually black), their stratum corneum might be coming off.
This can be uncomfortable for your dog to experience. A good sign is that your dog appears uncomfortable when walking.
Here are 4 ways this can happen:
Burns
Although a dog’s paws have a layer or protection they can still be damaged.
Hot pavement or roads can cause blistering and damage to your pup’s stratum corneum.
Your dog will likely walk a little funny due to the pain on their paws. Over time the skin will peel off and become replaced with new skin.
Wear & Tear
The natural protective layer on a dogs paws can become worn down over time.
Walking on rough surfaces often and not taking proper care of paws can cause your dog’s paws to shed some layers.
This leads to pink and black spots on your dogs paws.
Sensitive Skin
We all know someone who you can gently tap and somehow they’ll develop a bruise.
This happens when someone has really sensitive skin.
Similarly, dogs can have sensitive skin. This can cause their paw pads to shed their protective layer changing their color from black to pink or a combination.
Some dogs just have sensitive skin and others are prone to skin allergies. Both can cause the stratum corneum to fall off.
Bacteria
A dog comes in contact with all sorts of bacteria.
If a dog’s paws are cut or scratched, bacteria has an easy way of getting in and causing problems.
For example, let’s say your dog has a cut on their paw and they’ve been running around outside, playing in the mud, digging, & running through puddles.
Their paw most definitely came in contact with bacteria. If the bacteria gets into their system through the cut, it can cause issues.
One of these issues is the layer of protective tissue coming off.
3) Allergies
Oftentimes dogs can develop allergies owners were unaware of.
This can cause reactions in your dog body like shedding the protective layer of their paws.
Resulting in a change of their paw colors from black to pink.
Allergies can be uncomfortable and dogs will usually bite, lick, and scart at their paws when something is bugging them.
4) Natural Pigmentation Of Your Dogs Paws
Your dog’s paws are just naturally pink and black.
It can be as simple as that. Some dogs have a natural pigmentation (color expression) in their paws that is pink and black!
This is caused by a genetic mutation that stops the normal pigmentation from showing.
7 Strategies To Keep Your Pups Paws Protected & Healthy
When caring for a dog’s paws there are a few simple strategies you can use to keep them healthy and safe from injury.
Here are 7 strategies you can use to care for your pups paws:
1) Check Your Dogs Paws Often
The easiest way to stop paw pad issues is to not let them happen! Who would’ve thought.
Staying on top of checking your dog’s paws can mean finding potential problems before they get out of hand.
The great thing is it’s easy, all you have to do is feel around their paws.
This can be done while you are cuddling on the couch, just grab their feet, feel around their toes, nails, and between their paw pads.
Press down on different areas and look for signs of discomfort.
2) Keep Their Paws Clean
When your dog is playing outside make sure when they come in that you clean their paws.
Dirt and bacteria left in your dog’s paws will cause issues. It takes two seconds to make sure their paws are cleaned and this will prevent issues from developing.
And don’t just lazily wipe them. Get in between their toes, and pads. If they are really dirty, use water.
3) Groom Their Paws
Similar to the importance of cleaning your dog’s paws, grooming them and keeping fur to a minimum is just as important.
Too much fur in between your dogs toes make its easy for bacteria to sit and build up. IT also makes cleaning their paws much harder.
So trim their paws to get rid of the unnecessary fur. It will not only reduce bacteria build up but it will help prevent your dog from slipping on smooth surfaces.
4) Anti-Slip Pad Or Dog Shoes
You’ve probably seen the funny videos of dogs walking around with shoes on.
Or you might have already tried some on your dog.
Dogs hate shoes when they first try them on. It’s unfamiliar and they can’t feel the ground in the same way as when it’s just their paws.
However, you can train some dogs to enjoy them.
Teaching your dog to enjoy shoes can be a great way to keep their paws protected.
I live in Canada and when winter comes around people love throwing salt all over their driveways and onto the sidewalk.
Salt can get into my dogs paws and cause a lot of pain. So shoes are a great way to protect my pups feet.
Here are the best dog shoes you can find on amazon (in my opinion): XSY&G Dog Boots
If you know your dog hates shoes you can always opt for anti-slip pads instead.
They stick right onto your dog’s paw pads and add an extra layer of protection.
On hot summer days these can be used to avoid your dog’s paws being damaged by hot pavement.
I personally did not find these very helpful but other owners swear by them.
Here are my favorites on amazon: Aqumax Dog Anti Slip Paw Grips
5) Use Paw Wax
A great product you can use to keep your dogs paws protected and healthy is paw wax.
The wax creates a barrier around your dog’s foot that can protect against ice, salt, dirt, and from burns!
It’s kind of like an invisible barrier of protection.
Not only will it help protect your dogs paw pads but it also acts as a moisturizer to keep their paws hydrated.
This will prevent them from drying out and cracking.
Here is one of the best rated paw waxes:
Musher’s Secret (Chewy) | Musher’s Secret (Amazon)
6) Avoid Hot Roads
This tip is pretty self explanatory.
If you bring your dog on walks in the summer the ground can become extremely hot.
Make sure when you’re walking your dog in this weather that you avoid hot roads. If you’re unsure about the temperature of the road, place the back of your hand on the road to test it.
If it’s uncomfortable for your hand, it’s likely too hot for your pooch.
7) Moisturize Your Dog’s Paws
If your dog’s paws are getting dry, peeling, or cracked, you’ll want to look into moisturizing them.
Avoid all human lotions and stick with products designed for dog paws.
The key here is not to overdo it. They don’t need to be moisturized daily, just when you notice some dryness.
Too much moisturizing can make a dog’s skin rip and tear easier when walking on rough surfaces.
Is It Normal For Dogs’ Paws To Turn Black?
It’s completely normal for dogs’ paws to turn balck. This is a process in their development to create a thick protective layer of skin on their paws.
This reduces their paws sensitivity and allows them to be tougher and more durable.
Pink paws are standard for puppies. Some puppies will have patches of black mixed in with their pink paws.
Expect at around 6 months old for your puppies paws to begin shifting from pink to black.
If you have an adult dog and their paws are changing color you should seek advice from your vet.
Infections, allergies, and adverse effects from the environment can cause changes to a dog’s paws. So it’s best to check with experts.
If you are concerned and want to ask a vet online right now you can click here.
Other Common Dog Paw Issues
Smelly paws
Why do my dogs’ paws smell?
Scent glands on their paws. This is why dogs will scrape their feet on the grass or kick drit up after going to the washroom.
Some dogs’ feet will smell like corn chips. Why is this?
A dog’s feet will smell like corn chips because your dog has bacteria or yeast built up between their toes and paw pads. If you notice this smell, inspect your dog’s paw pads, toes, and nails.
You might find discoloration and a ‘film’ over the nail, or mild swelling at the nail bed. If the scent is strong of corn chips, or their nail appears infected, take them to the vet.
Hyperkeratosis
If your dog has rough, thick, crusty paws, or fur growing from their pads. This is called hyperkeratosis.
This can occur on a dog’s nose or paw pads.
It usually stems from a genetic or medical condition, so if this sounds like your dog’s situation, speak with your vet about treatment.
You can also ask a vet online here for a more affordable option.
In the meantime, keep your dog’s paws moisturized and protected with paw pad balm to reduce your dog’s discomfort.
Other posts you may find interesting:
Dried Dead Tick On Dog? What You Need To Do (Vet Answers)
