Tattoos are a way of expression for so many people and for others, a means of adding positivity or uniqueness to their life. Among millions of options available for tattoo designs worldwide, paw tattoos are a common way to show love for pets. There is no greater friend to have in life than a pet, and pet parents often get paw tattoos to show their love for them. Why just pet parents? Even nature enthusiasts and animal lovers, in general, represent themselves by having a paw tattooed. While some people get a tattoo of a wild animal like a bear or tiger, others do it to remember their stuffed animals. Let’s look at some of the most popular types of tattoos and what they mean.
Meaning of Paw Print Tattoo Designs
The meaning can vary for different people depending on their purpose to get the tattoo. Some get a paw tattoo in memory of their beloved pet and some get an exact copy of the paw tattooed to remember them forever. Then there are zoophiles, people who love animals in general and want to express that emotion and if you ask me, a paw is just perfect to express that. Some animal activists also get paws tattooed on them to show their dedication to the noble cause they are working for.
Ideas For Paw Print Tattoo Designs
There are a lot of designs to explore when it comes to showing love for your four-legged friends. You could go for black and white simple designs or go all bold with the colors and combine the symbols with other symbols like forests, hearts, flowers, or your pet’s favorite toy. The Infinity symbol adorns the bottom of the design, representing eternity in the wearer’s heart or the heel pad is shaped as a heart, symbolizing the unconditional love that beloved pets bring- this category of tattoos can have infinite possibilities. Since paw tattoos derive from emotions, it becomes very important to choose the right one to express your feelings. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Where Should You Get a Paw Print Tattoo Design
For Women
- Ankle
- Wrist
- Finger Spaces
- Hands
- Shoulder Blades
- Behind the Ears
For Men
- Chest
- Biceps
- Legs
- Neck
- Back
- Forearms
List of Paw Print Tattoo Designs & Meanings
- Paw Print Tattoo Design on Thigh
The first one here is a really cute dog paw where the big metacarpal pad is shaped like a dog’s snout. The wearer also replaces one of the digits of the paw with a heart, making all the love even more evident. Quite creative I have to say! Although the wearer placed the tattoo on the lower thigh, this one can be made almost anywhere on the body because of its simple design.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design with Other Symbols
The wearer here has added commas and they are usually used to separate two parts of a sentence, so a comma tattoo could imply that the person has separated from their beloved pet and how it has affected their lives. But since this paw seems to be of an animal from the wild ( because of the claws), so it could also mean ‘waiting’ for something or someone. You could combine symbols that have a meaning for you as well.
- Beautiful Paw Print Tattoo Design on the Wrist
This colorful tattoo is definitely one of the most aesthetically pleasing ones. The addition of stars with the paws gives it a very cosmic appearance. The stars are a symbol of hope and guidance so it could mean that the wearer is honoring the unconditional love showered by their pet and that gives them hope. It could also simply mean that the person is fond of the stars in general. Which one is it for you?
- Paw Print Tattoo Design with the Name
This next one definitely adds that personal touch and makes your tattoo unique. However, the size of the tattoo is totally up to you. The wearer here used a lot of space but it can also be fitted in a smaller area like the neck. The paw hair is an interesting detail.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design with the Ears
Next in the series is this super adorable paw print with the dog ears as well. These will depend on the breed of the dog or cat or any pet you own. The year is also mentioned which could be the birth year of the 2 pets. Such a personal touch definitely gives the tattoo whole another meaning.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design with the Infinity Element
This one depicts how the love for the furry friend has always been there and will remain the same for eternity. The wearer here has got two paws made here, you could also go for one. The infinity symbol is quite neutral hence this tattoo can be worn by people of any gender.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design on the Shoulder
This small shoulder tattoo has to be on the list of really cute tattoos. The wearer has got a dotted heart as if that was the path traced by those adorable paws. It’s really subtle and would look great in black and white. On top of that this particular one is very trendy. So you might just bump into someone with the same tattoo and if you ask me- That is a great conversation starter ;).
- Paw Print Tattoo Design Holding Hands
You could choose something like this one that shows both a human hand and a paw. This represents that not only is your pet always there for you but you are also equally there for them. This kind of tattoo, however, requires bigger space. So, larger areas like the back, chest, biceps, etc. should be preferred.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design on the Arm
The paw print tattoo here has a jewelry kind of look here. With the dangling stones and a heart shape, the tattoo looks like a locket. This type of design is preferred more by women than men. The wearer here has chosen an arm for the placement of the tattoo.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design with Flowers
This floral tattoo is really unique as it defines the shape of a paw just through the floral twigs and has no separate outlines of its own. The flowers unleash the feminine energy while also displaying your love for the animals. It can really stand out if you wear it on the ankle or wrists.
- Creative Paw Print Tattoo Design
Creativity at its best, isn’t it? The wearer here has very smartly incorporated the partial face of their dog. The breed here is a really hairy one, giving the paw just the right amount of volume. Although, it can be recreated in a number of ways. Not only does it show the love for animals but also depicts that the tattoo is probably for a specific dog of this breed.
- Bold Paw Print Tattoo Design on Hand
Now, this is what we call truly unique! Unlike a typical cat/ dog paw print, this wearer chooses a 3D tiger paw the size of their own hand. If you are new to this tattoo game, this is probably not your ideal choice. But, for the seasoned tattoo passionate who love to show their body art, this would count as a bold and unique choice for sure.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design on the Chest
Another one of the wild beauties. This wearer has gone for a 3D claw tattoo where the whole paw appears to be behind the body and tearing it apart to come out. It could be symbolic of unleashing your true power and that bold character that you’ve been hiding away. Chest tattoos are usually more painful than other areas but the only other ideal place for this tattoo would be the back.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design on the Wrist
Next here is especially for the cat and kitten fam. The angelic halo on the top is symbolic that the precious little animal is no more but still always alive in the memories. This tattoo being really small in size is ideal for the neck, wrists, ankles, or even the shoulder.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design on the Finger
Minimalistic yet elegant. This finger tattoo is for people who wanna keep it small. Hands are usually one of the most exposed parts of our body, so the tattoos in these areas tend to fade with age. Hence, it is recommended to go for a simple design like the one in the picture itself.
- Subtle Paw Print Tattoo Design
This unique white ink tattoo gives the wallflower vibes to those who don’t want a loud tattoo but rather a subtle one. The wearer has placed it on the wrist and depicts their love and remembrance for their four-legged buddy.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design for the Wildlife Enthusiast
This one is one of my personal favorites for various reasons. The wearer has incorporated beautiful scenery inside the paw itself. This is a bear paw that typically represents strength, courage, and gentle friendship. This total represents the love for the wildlife and the woods.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design on the Heel
The wearer of this tattoo has positioned it on the heel- not very common but the tattoo is really suiting this unique location. The pop of red heart in the black and white tattoo is what is giving life to it and represents strong emotions at the same time.
- Beautiful Paw Print Tattoo Design
This is another one of the very best and the kind of tattoo that I wouldn’t think twice before getting. the flower sticks add so much beauty to it and the paws are camouflaged as the flowers are just like a cherry on the top. This wearer has also added some dots and stars to it. This tattoo best suits visible areas like arms, neck, ankles, and wrists.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design with the Ying-Yang Element
The ying-yang element in addition to the paws can mean a lot of things, but for most people, it shows the importance of their pets and how these animals bring balance to their lives. It always reminds us how the good and the bad cannot exist without each other. The replacement of the circles with paws is a clever take on it.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design Holding Hands
Subsequent here is this detailed tattoo having a hand of a lady and their little furry friend. There is also a thread-like addition to it symbolizing the strong bond and the tight grip of each other’s support between them. It could also mean being tied together for as long as possible. The wearer has placed this tattoo on the back but any area of the body with enough canvas would do.
- Camouflaging Paw Print Tattoo Design
The shape of this paw print tattoo is formed by the snout of the dog that the wearer has. What a creative and smart way to personalize it according to your own dog breed. This tattoo can also be worn by people of all genders and it is preferable to wear it in larger areas so that the detail of the dog snout stands out.
- Colorful Paw Print Tattoo Design
Next up, this colorful tattoo design is for you to represent those who truly add colors to your life. This wearer has positioned the tattoo on the ankle which is perfect looking at the size and detail of it. The heart inside the paw has a white outline which makes it really stand out keeping in mind the colorful background.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design with Text
A lot of hidden but beautiful elements of this tattoo have multiple meanings and symbols included. The ‘O’ in the word love here is shaped like a paw and the heart inside is like the nose of the animal. There is also a halo on the top depicting that the animal has probably passed away and the tattoo is to honor and show the eternal love that is left behind.
- Paw Print Tattoo Design under the Toe
Lastly, this rather rare but pretty tattoo. The wearer has chosen a minimal design and placed the tattoo under the toe. This is a place where the tattoo is barely visible. Hence for those who don’t want their tattoo to show, this part of the body is really sneaky to get.
Truly Pawsome!
