How to Draw a Paw Print (Easy Step by Step)
A paw print is one of the easiest animal drawings to try. A trail of three prints that get smaller looks like a pet is walking away. It is built from just ovals and a rounded heart shape, so even beginners can finish it.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a paw print step by step
How to Draw a Paw Print · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The big pad
Draw a big rounded heart shape that is a little wider than it is tall. Make a small dip at the top middle and a round, curvy bottom.
Step 3: Top toes
Above the pad, draw two tall ovals side by side with a little space between them. Tilt the right one slightly so they look like they are leaning.
Step 4: Side toes
Draw one oval on the left and one on the right of the pad, close to its edges. Tilt each one a little so they look like they are reaching outward.
Step 5: The little heart
Inside the big pad, draw a small heart with a point at the bottom. Keep it in the middle with room all around it.
Step 6: Middle paw pad
Down and to the left of the big paw, draw a smaller rounded pad with a dip along the top. Add a small loop on its upper left for the first toe.
Step 7: Middle paw toes
Add three small ovals around the middle pad: two above it and one on its right side. Make them smaller than the toes on the big paw.
Step 8: The tiny paw
At the bottom left, draw the smallest paw. Make a small rounded pad, then add four tiny ovals around it: one on each side and two on top.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your paw print? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a dog bone or how to draw a dog house next.
Tips for drawing a paw print
- Draw the big pad first and leave a little gap between it and each toe, so the toes do not run into the pad.
- The top of the big pad is the trickiest part, so make a small dip in the middle first and then curve each side down.
- For the smaller prints, draw the same shapes but make each one a bit smaller, so the trail looks like it is walking away.
Free paw print coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this paw print coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your paw print drawing
Try warm browns and tans for a puppy trail, or gray for a cat. For something different, color each paw print a different color so the trail looks like a rainbow.
Paw print fun fact for kids
Dogs and cats sweat a little through the pads of their paws, and the soft pads also work like cushions that help them walk quietly.
Questions about drawing a paw print
What shapes do I need to draw a paw print?
You need a rounded heart shape for the big pad and ovals for the toes. The small heart inside the big pad is a fun extra detail.
How do I make my paw print look like it is walking?
Draw three prints in a line that get smaller as they go. The shrinking size makes it look like the animal is walking far away.
How do I make my paw prints look cuter?
Draw a small heart inside the big pad and keep the toes nice and round. You can also color them in bright, happy colors.
