Should I pull out glass or thorns from my dog's paw on the trail?

No, don't pull it out. It might be acting as a plug and removing it could make the bleeding worse. It needs to come out cleanly and completely, which is easier to manage at home or at the vet rather than on a hillside with a fidgeting dog.

How do I know if my dog's paw cut needs a vet or if I can treat it at home?

If it's a minor graze or shallow cut that stops bleeding after rinsing, you can manage it at home. Deeper cuts that keep bleeding, cuts with flaps of skin hanging loose, anything with embedded debris, or wounds where your dog won't put weight on the paw need a vet.

How long does it take for a dog's cut paw pad to heal?

Most shallow pad grazes heal within a week or so, though the pads will look a bit tatty while the damaged outer layer grows out. If your dog becomes lame hours after the injury or you notice swelling, heat or discharge in the following days, get it checked by a vet.

Dogs on the Hills

What to do when your dog cuts a paw halfway up a hill

You're miles from anywhere and your dog's started limping with blood on their pad. How to work out whether it's serious, what you can do on the spot with whatever's in your pockets, and how to get them back down without making it worse.

27 September 20268 min read