Dog paw hyperkeratosis is a buildup of extra keratin, the tough protein in skin and nails, on the paw pads, the top of the nose, or both. The pads turn thick, hard and dry, and the edges often sprout little hair-like spikes, which is why owners call it "hairy feet." It isn't hair. It's skin that is being made faster than it wears away.
In most dogs it is an age-related change and rarely an emergency. A vet should still look at it once: the same look can come from an inherited condition in young dogs or a disease elsewhere in the body, and cracked pads can hurt and get infected.
What Dog Paw Hyperkeratosis Looks Like
Lift a paw and look at the big central pad and the toe pads. You may see:
- Thick, hard, dry pads that feel more like a callus than leather
- Hair-like fronds or spikes, usually along the pad edges rather than the center, as one groomer describes it
- Ridges, cracks and fissures (deep splits in the skin), sometimes bleeding
- A crusty, rough nose, thickest on the top of the nose rather than the moist tip
Nose and pads can be affected together (nasodigital hyperkeratosis) or on their own. Older dogs that lie down a lot can also get callused elbows (PetMD).
How it happens
The outer layer of skin is made of flat, dead cells packed with keratin. On a healthy paw or nose it wears away as the dog walks and noses into the food bowl. In hyperkeratosis, keratin piles up faster than it is shed, so the layer gets thicker, harder and drier, and thick skin cracks.
What Causes Hyperkeratosis in Dogs?
The cause decides whether this is a cosmetic quirk to manage or a clue to a bigger problem.
Age (idiopathic nasodigital hyperkeratosis)
"Idiopathic" means no underlying disease is found. The University of Minnesota's veterinary dermatology handbook describes it in older dogs, probably as an aging change, on the nose, the pads, or both. American Cocker Spaniels and English Springer Spaniels appear predisposed, but any breed can get it. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes the nose version in older dogs as not painful and often needing no treatment.
Face and leg shape
Anything that stops part of the nose or pad from touching the ground or the bowl lets keratin build up there:
- Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as English and French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs and Boxers often get it on the top of the nose, which doesn't rub the bowl when they eat (PetMD).
- Bowed legs or an abnormal stance, for example from arthritis, leave keratin piling up on the pad edge that no longer touches the floor (University of Minnesota).
Inherited forms in young dogs
- Hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis is reported in Irish Terriers and Dogues de Bordeaux. All the pads are involved from a young age, and severe cases develop horns, fissures and infection that cause pain and lameness (Merck Veterinary Manual). A 2014 genetic study traced the Irish Terrier and Kromfohrländer form to a recessive gene variant, with pads thickening from about 18 to 24 weeks of age.
- Hereditary nasal parakeratosis of Labrador Retrievers affects only the nasal planum (the hairless tip of the nose), with crusts and cracks in young dogs. A genetic test is available (Merck).
Diseases that can cause it
Your vet most wants to rule these out, because here the pads signal a disease that needs its own treatment:
- Canine distemper. Dogs that survive the early stage of this virus may develop thickened footpads and nose, which is why it was once called "hardpad disease" (Merck Veterinary Manual). The pads are the least of a distemper patient's problems. More on canine distemper.
- Superficial necrolytic dermatitis (hepatocutaneous syndrome). Thickened footpads are its hallmark, seen in every affected dog. It is linked to liver disease or glucagon-secreting tumors, the sores can be very painful and itchy, and these dogs usually have sores elsewhere and other signs of illness (Merck Veterinary Manual).
- Pemphigus foliaceus. The most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs causes crusts and sores around the eyes, ears, footpads, groin and bridge of the nose (VCA).
- Zinc-responsive dermatosis. Mostly seen in Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and German Shorthaired Pointers from weaning on, it causes crusting and thickened skin around the mouth, eyes and other body openings (Merck Veterinary Manual). The vet confirms it with a biopsy and decides whether zinc is needed, so don't add supplements on your own.
- Leishmaniosis. This sand fly-borne parasite is common in parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and Central and South America. US dogs can get it by traveling there without sand fly protection, by mating with an infected imported dog, or from an infected mother before birth (Merck Veterinary Manual). Skin signs can include scaling and sores on the nose and footpads, along with weight loss (LeishVet guidelines). See our guide to leishmaniasis.
Corns in sighthounds
A corn is a separate problem: a small, round, hard spot of keratin on a toe pad, mostly in Greyhounds, Whippets and Lurchers. Corns usually sit on the third and fourth toes of the front feet, commonly cause lameness and tend to come back (Veterinary Practice News). A limping sighthound needs a vet to check the pads.
Which Type Is It?
Only your vet can say for sure, but age and your dog's overall health give strong clues:
Your dog | Where you see it | Most likely | What the vet usually does |
|---|---|---|---|
Middle-aged or older, otherwise healthy | Nose, pad edges, elbows | Age-related (idiopathic) or pressure-related | Exam; often enough to diagnose |
Flat-faced breed or bowed legs | Top of the nose, pad edges that don't touch the floor | Shape-related buildup | Exam; looks at gait and joints |
Puppy or young dog of a listed breed | All pads, or the Labrador nose | Inherited form | Exam, biopsy, genetic test where one exists |
Any age, with other skin sores or signs of illness | Pads plus face, ears or body | Disease elsewhere (distemper, autoimmune, liver, zinc, parasite) | Full workup: bloodwork, urine test, skin tests, biopsy |
Greyhound or other sighthound that is limping | One round hard spot on a toe pad | Corn | Exam of the pad; vet treats it |
Does Hyperkeratosis Hurt Dogs?
Usually not, at least at first: PetMD says most dogs feel it like a callus. It starts to hurt when the thick skin cracks, splits into deep fissures, forms horns or gets infected, and severe pad involvement causes lameness (University of Minnesota). Signs of sore paws:
- Limping, or walking carefully on hard floors
- Licking or chewing the paws (see why dogs lick and chew their paws)
- Bleeding, oozing or a bad smell from a crack
- Not wanting to walk, jump or climb stairs
Cracks let bacteria and yeast in, which can lead to a bacterial skin infection (pyoderma).
How Vets Diagnose It
Your vet starts with age, breed, history and a look at the pads, nose and the rest of the skin. In an older dog with only nose or pad changes, the exam alone is usually enough (University of Minnesota). Young dogs and dogs with other sores or signs of illness may need bloodwork, a urine test, cytology (skin cells under the microscope) or a skin biopsy. Mention any weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting or coat changes. Our veterinary dermatology terms guide explains the vocabulary.
Treatment for Dog Paw Hyperkeratosis
The age-related and inherited forms can't be cured, because the skin keeps making extra keratin. The goal is comfort and fewer cracks. When a disease is behind it, treating that disease comes first, and the pads may improve as it is controlled.
- Mild, no discomfort: often no treatment at all (University of Minnesota; Merck says the same for the nasal form in older dogs).
- Thick, dry or starting to crack: your vet may recommend a keratin-softening product (a keratolytic; these often contain salicylic acid, lactic acid or urea) and a moisturizing paw or nose balm. Your vet chooses the product and tells you how to use it.
- Thick and uncomfortable: the vet team softens the keratin, for example with soaking or a wet dressing, then trims or files the excess away.
- Cracked, sore or infected: your vet may add medication for inflammation and infection.
Because keratin keeps growing back, most of these dogs need some care for life, on a routine your vet sets (Merck describes the same supportive approach for the inherited pad form).
What You Can Safely Do at Home
No home remedy cures hyperkeratosis. These steps help without making things worse:
- Check the pads and nose regularly for new cracks, bleeding or spreading crusts.
- Don't cut, pick or file the keratin yourself. Your vet team trims thick keratin. Cutting too deep leaves raw skin that can tear and get infected.
- Use only a balm your vet recommends. Dogs lick their paws and noses, and human foot creams and callus or wart removers can contain strong keratin-dissolving ingredients.
- Keep the nails trimmed so the foot lands normally on the pads. See how to cut dog nails, or ask your vet team or groomer.
- Give older dogs soft, deep bedding to ease pressure on elbow calluses (PetMD). More in how to take care of a senior dog.
When to Call the Vet
Tier | What you notice |
|---|---|
Mention at your next visit | Thin fronds on the pad edges or a rough, crusty top of the nose in an older dog that is comfortable, walking normally and otherwise well |
See your vet soon | Cracks or fissures, bleeding, limping or paw licking; thick pads in a puppy or young dog; a sighthound limping with a hard spot on a toe pad; changes that keep spreading |
Call now | Thick pads or nose plus signs of illness: fever, not eating, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea, low energy; seizures or weakness in the legs; sores spreading over the face, ears or body; a dog in pain that won't put weight on a paw |
A comfortable dog can usually be seen at a regular appointment within a couple of weeks (PetMD). Signs of illness change that, because distemper and the other diseases above need prompt care.
Can You Prevent Hyperkeratosis?
The inherited and age-related forms can't be prevented. What you can do:
- Vaccinate against distemper, the best prevention (Merck); see the DHPP vaccine.
- Ask your vet about sand fly protection before traveling to an area where leishmaniosis is common. Repellent insecticide products reduce bites (Merck).
Outlook
Hyperkeratosis isn't dangerous in itself. Most dogs with the age-related or inherited form live normal lives with ongoing paw and nose care (PetMD). When a disease causes it, the outlook depends on that disease.
Dog Paw Hyperkeratosis FAQ
Is hyperkeratosis contagious?
The thick pads aren't. Distemper, one possible cause, is a contagious virus, so new pad changes in a young or unvaccinated dog need a check.
Can I just cut the "hair" off my dog's paws?
No. It's thickened skin, not hair, and cutting it at home risks raw, bleeding pads. Your vet team softens it first, then trims it.
Is it the same as cracked pads from hot pavement?
No. Hot or rough ground can damage healthy pads, which is a different problem. See how hot is too hot for a dog's paws. Your vet can tell the two apart.
For other bumps, scabs and skin changes, see the most common dog skin problems with pictures.
Sources
- University of Minnesota, Small and Large Animal Dermatology Handbook Vol. 2 (Torres SMF): Idiopathic keratinization disorders, nasal and digital hyperkeratosis
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Hyperplastic and Seborrheic Syndromes in Animals
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Nasal Dermatoses of Dogs
- Drögemüller M, et al. A mutation in the FAM83G gene in dogs with hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis. PLoS Genetics, 2014
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Canine Distemper (Hardpad Disease), dog owner version
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Canine Distemper (professional version)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Cutaneous Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Small Animals
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Cutaneous Manifestations of Multisystemic and Metabolic Defects in Animals
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Leishmaniosis in Dogs
- Solano-Gallego L, et al. LeishVet guidelines for the practical management of canine leishmaniosis. Parasites & Vectors, 2011
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Autoimmune Skin Disease in Dogs
- PetMD: Hyperkeratosis in Dogs
- Veterinary Practice News: Pad corns, a pain for both dog and veterinarian (Doughty and Guilliard, 2018)
- Frank Rowe and Son: "Hairy" Paw Pad?
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
