The "Hyperkeratosis" Guide

Why Do My Dog's Paws Look "Hairy"? Treating Paw Hyperkeratosis

Have you ever looked closely at your older dog's paw pads and noticed what looks like tiny, hard hairs or crusty fronds growing out of the skin?

Don't panic, your dog isn't growing hair on the bottom of their feet. They likely have a condition called Canine Hyperkeratosis.

What is Hyperkeratosis?

Keratin is the tough protein that makes up your dog's paw pads and nose. Hyperkeratosis happens when the body produces too much keratin. Instead of wearing away naturally, it builds up into dry, crusty, spiky layers that look like little hairs.

If left untreated, these crusts can crack, bleed, and make it incredibly painful for your dog to walk on hard surfaces.

The Mistake: Picking or Cutting

Never try to pull, pick, or file these crusts off. Because they are attached to living tissue, picking them will cause bleeding and open the paw up to bacterial infections.

The Solution: Deep Moisture Softening

You can't cure the genetic overproduction of keratin, but you can manage it easily by softening the crusts so they wear down naturally on walks.

The Daily Hydration Routine You need a thick, penetrating moisturizer. Standard liquid lotions will just wipe off on the carpet. Apply a generous layer of Bark Butter Balm to the affected paw pads every night before bed.

• The Healing Process: The Jojoba and Vitamin E in our formula mimic the dog's natural sebum, penetrating deep into the hard keratin to soften the "spikes." Meanwhile, the Calendula extract soothes the underlying sensitive tissue, and the Beeswax locks the moisture in all night long.

Within a week of daily application, you will notice the crusts softening and naturally sloughing off.