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A: Being barefoot isn’t that tough when a dog is running on grass or other natural ground surfaces, but running on concrete, asphalt, gravel, or other hard surfaces can put a lot of stress on your dog’s body and can put them at risk of injury to their legs, paws or paw pads.
My yard is an oasis but is also a potential hazard for my dog. Iโve been using gravel in my garden for years, and for several good reasonsโversatility, easy to lay and maintain, climate-resistant, and affordable.
But when it comes to our paw-pals, there are major risks involved with gravel, asphalt driveways, and other areas.
Gravel can get lodged between your dogโs paw pads or in worse cases can cause your dog to choke. Read on to find out about dog-safe gravel, how to build a safe dog run and things you can do if your dog gets hurt when running on gravel.
Is Running On Gravel Bad for Dogs: Key Takeaways
โข A gravel driveway can burn a dogโs pads when it gets too hot.
โข Pea gravel is the best gravel for a dog run.
โข Learn how to treat your pupโs pads if he burns his paws
โข You can remove gravel from the dogโs paws with a pair of clean tweezers.
โข In any health crisis, consult your vet, or a pet emergency room
Disclaimer: DoggieDawg.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice, but we do link to reputable information, resources, and canine education. The content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance.
Keep Reading to Find Out About:
Why Isnโt Gravel Safe for Dogs?
According to the American Kennel Club, itโs not just plants and soil that can be harmful to dogs, there are risks involved with gravel and asphalt too.
Gravel can be dangerous to your dog in several ways, most notably:
- If gravel gets lodged between a dogโs paws
- Burn your dogโs pads if the gravel gets too hot
- If your dog eats gravel
How to Remove Gravel from Dogโs Paws?
Itโs quite common for dogs to tread on sharp objects, and for gravel to get embedded in the pads of their paws.
However, you should consult a vet in the event gravel gets stuck in your dogโs paws. If a vet isnโt available, follow the instructions below to remove gravel from your dogโs paws.
1. Clean the area with warm soapy water.
2. Using a pair of scissors, gently grip the stuck gravel and pull the piece out at the same angle as it appears to have been lodged.
3. Clean the wound again, and cover with a breathable sterile dressing.
Key Features:
- Size approx approximately 2"x5yd / 5cmx4.5m
- Made of elastic porous non-woven fabrics
- Comes with self-adhering ability
- Does not require adhesives or pins
- Can be used on ankle, wrist, finger, back, toe, elbow, and more
How to Treat Burnt Dogโs Paws from Hot Gravel?
Your dogโs paws are covered with foot pads, which can handle pretty much anything nature throws at them. However, there are several human-made gravel and other hot surfaces such as asphalt, metal, and concrete that can burn your dogโs paws.
- If your furry pal has any of the symptoms of burned paws, get in touch with your vet immediately.
- Symptoms of burned paws include blisters, limping or avoiding walking, excessive licking or chewing, paw pads are darker in color than usual, foreign objects in paws, red paw pads (in severe cases), or paws are visibly damaged.
๐ Seeing your veterinarian for your dogโs burned paws is non-negotiable, especially if your dogโs paws are bleeding or severely burned.
Steps to Treat Burnt Dog Paws
If you canโt get your dog to the vet immediately, follow these steps to treat your dogโs burnt paw pads to prevent infection and further injury.
1. Start by flushing the pads with cold water to clean any debris and help soothe the burn. Apply a cool compress if available. (Keep one handy for future emergency situations)
Key Features:
- Instant cold packs
- Turns ice cold instantly
- Stays cool for longer
- Compact size
- Box of 24
2. Get your dog off its feet to prevent further pain and injury. Lay your dog in a grassy area outdoors or bring it inside if possible.
3. Gently clean your dogโs paws and remove any debris or foreign objects embedded in the pads.
Do not disturb debris thatโs deeply embedded. Wash your dogโs paws with ani-septic soap/shampoo and water and rinse thoroughly. Use a clean towel to pat the paw burns dry.
Key Features:
- Recommended by U.S. veterinarians for dogs
- Disinfects, hydrates and helps support the skin's ecosystem
- Contains ophytrium, a purified natural ingredient
- Free from soaps, sulfates, parabens, dyes, and nanoparticles
- Reduces yeast counts in 7 days
4. Apply an antibiotic or paw balm to soothe your dogโs paws until theyโre seen by the vet. Wrap the injured paws in gauze and keep tabs for any swelling, which means the bandage is too tight and is cutting off circulation.
- HIGHEST QUALITY 100% Natural Food-Grade WAX
- VITAMIN E & BEESWAX conditions & relieves dog paws
- FAST-DRYING, NON-ALLERGENIC & NON-Staining
- NO STAINS ON CARPETS, FLOORS OR CLOTHING
- 3rd generation recipe
- Repairs your dog's underlying problem
- Highest quality organic dog paw balm
- Quick results
- Completely safe if ingested
- Contains vitamin E and lavender oil
- DOG PAW BALM FOR IRRITATED AND ROUGH PAWS
- Moisturizes, softens, and soothes dog paws for immediate relief
- Easy and quick to apply
- Plant based, with no artificial preservatives or harmful ingredients
- Handcrafted in the USA
How to Apply Balm to Burnt Dog Paws?
Your paw-pal is probably in a little pain and experiencing discomfort, so youโll have to distract your dog with treats and toys.
After the area is cleaned, apply the balm generously with clean hands or a cloth, and keep your dog occupied until the balm dries.
Apply the balm at least 1 โ 3 times per day.
๐ Make sure you keep your dog occupied while the balms dry!
What Type of Gravel is Good for Dogs?
Word on the internet is that pea gravel is the safest type of gravel for dogs. But the city of Toronto adopted this method in many of its off-leash parks and the results were disappointing and led to an injury.
Many dogs suffered scratches, a badly injured nail, or a severely scraped paw, so although pea gravel isn’t supposed to be sharp, it’s quite jagged and can lead to injuries.
Pea gravel may be safer than other forms of gravel due to its rounded edges, but I still wouldnโt recommend it for a dog run as it could cause injury to your dogโs paws.
Whatโs the Best Outdoor Surface for Dogs?
Dirt or grass is the easiest, safest and cheapest solution for several reasons. First, it stays cool in the summer and is easy on your dogโs feet.
On the downside, you may find it a bit challenging trying to keep your dog clean, but is a much better option than causing injury to your dogโs feet with gravel and concrete.
Next is synthetic grass, which looks just like real grass but is easier to clean and doesnโt require the same amount of upkeep.
If you have gravel, rocks, or concrete in your outdoor dog run, consider laying wood platforms over them but make sure that the wood is treated with a dog-friendly paint or stain.
Final Thoughts
Getting to the big questionโis running on gravel bad for dogs, the answer is a resounding yes, and this includes pea gravel as well.
Many leading publications claim that pea gravel goes easy on your dogโs feet but itโs a form of gravel after all and can cause injury to your furry pal.
If you want to ensure your petโs safety, choose grass, synthetic grass, or even wooden platforms placed over gravel or concrete.
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