If Your Dog Licks Its Paws, Be Careful! What Might Be the Reason for This?

Dogs lick their paws for many reasons. They probably lick their paws every day to keep them clean. If you see your dog licking their paws frequently, it’s time to take action. Dogs lick their paws because it’s a soothing activity. It’s also a good way for them to clean off debris and germs. Dogs also have glands on their paws that produce a special scent. This helps them communicate. Find out the reason your dog licks their paws and how to respond. The following are some clues that your dog's paws might be causing them trouble: Licking and/or chewing on their paws a brown discoloration in their paw fur—even if you can't see it—indicating that they are licking their paws Loss of hair on or around their paws Holding one paw up Limping Bleeding in the paw Redness on or between the toes Seeing an ulcer, lesion, or discharge in or around the paw Paw swelling Why Dogs Lick Their Paws Health Issues and Paw Licking The first step is to determine if there is a health problem with their paws. Dogs will often lick their paws excessively if they are itchy, irritated, or painful. A paw injury or a foreign object could explain the sudden onset of paw licking. Another possibility is that your dog has an abnormal growth, such as a cyst or tumor, on one of their paws. If your dog focuses more on one paw than the other, a paw injury, foreign object, or growth is more likely. A very common cause of paw licking for comfort is allergies in dogs. Allergies often cause the paw pads to become itchy or irritated, causing a dog to lick their paws for comfort. What to Do If Your Dog Licks Their Paws Too Much? If you sense that your dog is constantly licking their paws, you can start by taking a close look at their paws. Examine the tops and bottoms of the feet, the toenails and nail beds, and the spaces between the toes. Look for foreign objects, cuts, bruises, bleeding, swelling, redness, scaling, crusting, discharge, broken nails, and anything else that looks abnormal. Be aware that excessive licking often causes saliva stains in the hair around the paws. This rust-colored staining is the easiest way to see where the hair is light colored. Behavior Problems and Paw Licking The licking may have started out of boredom and then turned into a habit that has become soothing or satisfying for your dog. A simple way to address behavioral paw licking is to distract your dog. Take them on more walks, play with them more often, and give them toys to keep them focused. Don’t scold them for licking, but don’t reward them with treats either. If the licking continues, consider behavior modification techniques that will help your dog. Grooming Grooming is the most common cause of paw licking. If you’re sure your dog is grooming, there’s no need to worry. However, if they’re licking their paws frequently, it’s important to address the underlying issue. When a dog is anxious, they’ll often lick their paws to calm themselves down. In fact, this is a common coping mechanism in dogs. Some dogs even lick their paws when they’re falling asleep. Keeping your dog clean will help reduce the symptoms. You may need to give your dog an oral antibiotic to treat the infection, but you should visit your veterinarian for a more thorough diagnosis. Tips Behavior modification takes time, patience, and consistency to stop paw licking and gnawing. Consider a pet-safe, bitter-tasting topical product to deter licking. If that doesn’t work, a physical restraint such as an e-collar may be necessary. If additional behavioral help is needed, consider working with a dog trainer, animal behaviorist, or a veterinary behavior specialist. Check your dog’s paws often! Be sure to examine them daily to make sure they look good and healthy. After all, your dog relies on them to get around! If you see something that concerns you, contact your veterinarian’s office to schedule an appointment and have it evaluated