Anyone familiar with their dog knows that It sometimes has a habit of constantly licking its paws. It does it when heading out for a walk or on a long hike if it needs to cool down in the warmer months.
This behavior is not at all unusual, and unlike human habits, which may be abnormal or strange to some people, paw licking is quite common amongst dogs. It may start at a young age, or it may show up later on.
Why do dogs lick their paws? And What does it mean?
Dogs lick their paws for many reasons that humans never know. In this article, I will discuss 16 reasons dogs lick their feet, so you can better understand this behavior. There are also remedies and methods for stopping it. Read to the end!
Reasons Dogs Lick Or Chew Their Paws
Pain
Dogs can’t talk, so it expresses pain through whining, howling, biting, scratching, and paw-licking. Restlessness, trembling, and difficulty rising are common symptoms of these habits.
Panosteitis is a common disease that affects the legs of dogs. It is a painful inflammation of the bones’ outer surface. Lameness is one of its most common symptoms and affects growing dogs (2 years of age).
Another cause of leg pains in dogs is paw injury. It’s common among dogs living in a shabby environment. You know how it feels to have something sharp lodged in your foot if you’ve ever stepped on a piece of glass or anything else that shouldn’t be in your dog’s paw.
They make walking difficult and can lead to infection. Your dog licking its paw could be a sign that it may have something stuck in it.
If you find your dog in pain, determine the source. You can do so by massaging to detect areas of weakness in the leg and thigh region. The pain can then be relieved with pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications.
You should also consider seeing a veterinarian as this could lead to severe conditions like lameness.
Dry Skin
Dry skins make pups uncomfortable, so it looks for solutions in habits like paw licking. Causes of dry skin are parasites, food allergies, seasonal allergies, and environmental allergies.
If your dog shows other symptoms, such as itchiness, redness, and inflammation, it could be due to dry skin. However, dry skins can also be an indication of a much larger issue.
Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism are diseases associated with dry skin in dogs. Other symptoms include dry and brittle hair, hair loss, and skin infections. Auto-immune diseases and cancer also cause dry skin.
Other environmental causes are cold weather, dry air, excessive bathing, harsh soaps, and poor nutrition.
If you’ve noticed that your dog has dry skin, you have to ensure that it is eating a balanced diet. Then, you can use coconut oil as a skin moisturizer if it still exists after feeding it a nutritious diet for a while.
The anti-bacterial, antiviral, and antifungal coconut oil properties fight infections and bacteria. Vitamin E oil is an additional choice. Antioxidants in it treat inflammation and guard against cell deterioration.
Finally, if you suspect other causes, consult your veterinarian to rule out more severe conditions.
Allergies/Food Allergies
Some dogs have food allergies that cause them to lick their paws, which can lead to infection and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. It is necessary to identify the cause of this behavior so that you can treat the underlying problem and prevent it from returning.
Skin allergy reactions are common among dogs, which causes them irritations. Dogs may also lick their paws when it has fleas or ticks or if it is an allergic reaction to something in the environment, such as grasses or plants.
Dogs with allergies will typically pant and scratch their skin. It can irritate the area and make it raw. If your dog has allergies, you will see signs of this behavior and redness or sores on its feet and inside its mouth.
Removing allergens is the most effective way to treat a flea or food allergy. For example, you can treat it by removing the substance from their diet or changing their environment.
For more severe allergies, such as atopy, you will require therapy. Examples of treatment for dogs are anti-inflammatory medications, shampoo, and hyposensitization.
Anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids, antihistamines, oclacitinib, and Cytopoint can prevent allergic reactions. Shampoo therapy involves using hypoallergenic shampoo to relieve itchy or inflamed skin.
After testing, hyposensitization is using antigens to combat a specific reaction. Your vet may prescribe weekly to alter the immune system.
Digestive Issues
If your dog is licking their paws, it could be a symptom of a digestive issue. If you notice that your dog’s tongue is pink or inflamed, it could be a sign that it has an underlying condition.
Some digestive issues common with dogs include
#1. Gastroenteritis
This defect happens when stomach acid comes up through the esophagus. It causes irritation or inflammation in the upper digestive tract. The condition can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid paw licking, and irritation of the esophagus lining and stomach.
#2. Hiatal hernia
It occurs when part of your dog’s stomach pushes into the chest cavity via an opening in the abdomen called a Hiatal (hi-ahy-tahl).
Because this opening is usually behind their ribs, it can only pass food through after breaking it down by digestive enzymes.
If there’s not enough room for food in their stomachs, they may start eating grass or dirt to get more space.
Apart from paw licking, symptoms you should check for include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence or increased gas, absence of appetite, loss of weight, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain, enlargement /distension of the abdomen, distress, or an inability to relax.
Digestive issues can be treated by deworming, anti-nausea medications, antacids and stomach/intestinal protectants, Probiotics, Fluid therapy, and a bland diet or special diet for sensitive stomachs.
Other options involve using a stomach tube and pain relief. However, you should watch your dog closely after giving it pain medication to ensure that the pain relief is not masking a worsening condition.
Fleas And Ticks
Fleas and ticks can make dogs lick their paws. If your dog licks its paws excessively, it may be due to fleas or ticks.
Dogs lick their paws to clean themselves after playing in the dirt or woods. This habit can be annoying and lead to infections, especially in dogs with sensitive skin.
Fleas are tiny parasites that live on the bodies of animals, including humans, and feed on blood from hosts. Fleas typically lay eggs in the fur around your dog’s neck or ears and remain hidden until they hatch out into larvae.
The larvae then feed on your dog’s blood until they grow into adults, which mate and lay more eggs, so the entire cycle begins again.
Ticks are parasites that attach to dogs’ skin and feed off their blood until they become full-grown adults. Ticks can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever from dogs to humans who come into contact with them through their pets.
Fleas and tick issues are rampant in dogs, but you can avert them with preventive medications. Some natural ways to prevent fleas and ticks are non-toxic sprays, barriers, and cedar mulch.
You can also use an essential oil on the paws of your dog. They are saturated with natural greases in plants distilled before bottled in high concentrations.
Some essential oils like anise, cinnamon, citrus, clove, garlic, juniper, pine, thyme, yarrow, and tea tree are toxic to dogs. Others, such as lavender and cornmint, have proven to help repel pests.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance can make dogs lick their paws.
It’s not just women who suffer from hormonal imbalances. When a woman gets pregnant, her body releases a hormone called relaxin that causes her joints to loosen up and become more flexible. As soon as a woman gives birth, the hormone stops flowing.
This same process happens in dogs when it is between seasons or during the heat of summer. Their bodies are releasing more thyroid and cortisol hormones than usual, which can cause them to develop hot flashes and other symptoms such as paw licking.
Excessive or shortage in the secretion of hormones is the cause of Hormonal imbalance. You can treat excessive secretion by radiotherapies such as radioactive medications and iodine.
Hormone deficiency is frequently successfully treated by replacing the missing hormone. An instance is insulin injections for diabetes mellitus. Oral steroid and thyroid hormone replacement therapy are common.
Therapy has adverse treatments, so look after your dog carefully for any side effects. You can also surgically remove the endocrine tumor causing the shortage rather than replacement.
Finally, you should follow your veterinarian’s recommendation for dosing and follow-up testing.
Cold Weather
Cold weather can make dogs lick their paws. Dogs are attracted to the warmth it provides. In cold weather, its paw pads are more likely to be exposed. They will also be more likely to paw at the ground to get a little warmth from their feet.
If you notice your dog licking its paws after being outside in the cold, please take your dog inside immediately so that it does not fall sick.
Dogs may also lick their paws if it feels uncomfortable in any way, such as if there is something caught between their toes or if it has something stuck on them that is causing them discomfort.
It can also include fleas and ticks, mud or dirt stuck on their feet, and even dry skin caused by rubbing up against something rough while walking on pavement or through grassy areas with dry leaves on the ground.
If you find out your dog has a cold, you can start by ensuring it is warm and dry by putting its bed next to the chimney with a soft blanket. You can also go for short walks during the hours of the day.
Always remember to dry their paws when it comes back from outings. Put on its coat and, for smaller dogs, a nice sweater, and ensure your pet is well-hydrated.
You can encourage it to drink water as much as possible to replace lost fluids and maintain nasal secretion fluidity. Finally, You should season its food with hot broth!
Infections
Dogs are prone to infections, especially if they spend time outside. Paw licking is a symptom of most yeast and fungal infections. Pet owners may be concerned about these infections because they can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Some common fungal infections are Aspergillosis, Cryptococcus, and blastomycosis. Mold Aspergillus is a fungus that causes Aspergillosis. These fungi primarily affect dogs with compromised immune systems.
Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast-like fungus that causes Cryptococcus. Dogs get this disease from inhaling spores found in contaminated soil from bird droppings. Blastomycosis is a regional systemic fungal disease found along the East Coast, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River valleys.
The fungus is prevalent due to moist, rotting organic debris. Inhaling infected spores can cause this disease in dogs. To treat, you need to diagnose the nature of the infection. Skin cytology, fungal culture, and identification are ways to diagnose skin infections.
Skin scraping, smear biopsy, and acetate cytology determine whether a skin infection is bacterial or fungal. Culturing and isolating bacteria from skin samples will be required to identify specific bacterial or fungal causes.
Antibacterial medications work well for the majority of bacterial skin infections. You can treat localized and isolated bacterial infections with topical antibiotic creams and ointments. A more widespread disease will frequently necessitate systemic antibacterial therapy.
Similarly, depending on the severity of the lesions, fungal infections are mostly treated with topical medications such as ointments or medicated shampoos. Antifungal medications administered systemically
Boredom
Dogs, like humans, become bored, so they start exhibiting habits like paw licking. It is critical to provide them with exercise, training, interactive toys, and brain games to keep them busy and entertained. A bored dog will create his amusement probably in ways that do not suit you.
It will chew furniture and shoes, shred pillows, and even unroll your toilet paper if left to its own devices. Whatever it can come up with to pass the time. And it’s even more exciting because you’re not there to stop them.
Other indications it exhibits include digging in the backyard or spilling trash cans. If your dog is constantly mugging you for attention and acting restless, it’s probably boring and looking for something to do. It may also jump on you and your guests or bark excessively.
Anxiety
Dog’s constant Paw licking is one of the many ways it expresses anxiety. It affects all breeds and is something that dogs encounter regularly. While there are numerous types, fear, separation, and aging anxiety are the most common.
Loud noises, strange people or animals, visual stimuli such as hats or umbrellas, unfamiliar environments, specific situations such as the vet’s office or car rides, or surfaces such as grass or wood floors can all cause fear-related anxiety.
Although some dogs may react to these stimuli, they may harm anxious dogs. When dogs with separation anxiety are left alone or separated from their family, it hardly finds comfort.
This anxiety often manifests in undesirable behaviors such as urinating and defecating the house, destroying furniture and furnishings, and paw licking.
Aging anxiety mainly affects older dogs, which makes them forget things easily. It also exhibits some repetitive behaviors like paw licking.
Behavioral Issues
Dogs possess a variety of behavioral issues, such as paw licking, fetching, rolling over, and begging. It will chew, dig, and bark as well. It can be cute or annoying, depending on the situation.
Some behaviors are intrinsic. Long ago, breeders breed dogs to perform specific tasks. A Collie, for example, may chase bikes because breeders bred them to herd sheep.
A Beagle may bark in response to a new scent or sound because breeders breed them to quest. Other dogs mimic their wild ancestors’ survival skills, so a Samoyed may dig a hole in the yard to make a comfortable bed outside.
Often, what we see as issues, is simply a dog being a dog. But if these behaviors disgust you, there are ways to control them.
Self Grooming Habits
Grooming is a dog behavior that is good for its health. Shiny coats, which are cared for regularly, reflect good health. When things go wrong, the dog’s hair coat may not only look bad, but it may also mutilate its skin.
The most common type of self-grooming is oral grooming. A dog will lick its limbs, the area around its mouth, and areas with short hair, such as the anogenital area. They will also chew on their nails and use their teeth to relieve itchy spots on the thoracic limbs.
This type of grooming habit is also a way to remove ectoparasites like fleas and ticks. Heavy infestations of these blood-sucking parasites can render a dog severely ill, necessitating outside intervention to restore the animal’s health.
Animals that are physically restrained and unable to groom themselves have significantly higher parasite loads and do not thrive.
Corns, Cyst, And Over-Growths
Corns are benign growth of keratin-producing cells in the skin that causes a lump. These are known as keratoma in dogs and are commonly on the bottom of the pad.
These can be uncomfortable for the dog to walk on. Dogs lick their paws to soothe the pains from their corn.
Cysts are open spaces within tissues that contain liquid or solidified materials. True cysts, follicular cysts, sebaceous cysts, dermoid cysts, and false cysts are common types of cysts.
The most common symptoms are lameness and excessive paw licking. The dog may be reluctant to walk on hard surfaces because the dog isn’t putting as much pressure on the pad while walking.
Nail growth increases on the affected toe. This lack of pressure prevents the nail from wearing down, causing it to grow faster.
Skin Irritation
Although uncommon with dogs, it is severe and needs urgent medical attention. Its symptoms are constant paw licking and itching at the spot, especially on the dog’s paws, hair loss, areas of small bumps on the skin, redness or swelling, scaling, crusting, or hardening of the skin.
Some causes include Skin food allergies, environmental allergens, insect bites, seasonal allergies, flea allergy dermatitis, contact dermatitis, hypothyroidism, and parasites.
Skin irritation in dogs is frequently a symptom of complex health issues. Whether your dog has red skin or a skin rash, it usually indicates an underlying health condition that needs your vet’s attention.
However, most health conditions associated with skin irritation in dogs are treatable.
Foot Injuries
Foot injuries also make dogs lick their paws. Their paws perform a variety of vital functions in daily life. Aside from standing, walking, and running, your dog’s feet also serve as shock absorbers, protect against cold and hot temperatures, and alert you to any health issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Common foot injuries include abrasions, blisters, burns, ulcers, tears, punctures, and lacerations. The most common cause of these paw pad injuries is the surface your dog walks on.
Surface objects like rocks, gravel, sand, and chemicals can all harm your dog’s paws. Sharp objects like glass can puncture your dog’s soft foot pad, while hot surfaces like concrete can burn through his feet.
Road Salts
Dogs who walk outside on snowy days accumulate rock salt and antifreeze substances on their paws and attempt to lick them off when they return home. Any salt that enters your dog’s stomach can make them nauseous or cause diarrhea. A few milligrams on a dog or cat can be lethal! As a result, smaller dogs are particularly vulnerable.
When you walk with them outside during the cold months, you must exercise extreme caution when doing so during snowfall. Dogs are susceptible to getting salt between their paws, which can cause irritation or severe skin problems.
Also, road salt can cause deep cracks in your dog’s paw pads. You can avoid these painful symptoms by rubbing paw wax into your dog’s paws before taking it outside.
The polish forms a protective layer on your dog’s paw pads and shields them from road salt. After going outside, rinse your pet’s paws with lukewarm water.
Should You Let Your Dog Lick Their Paws?
While paw licking in dogs has many side effects, it also has benefits.
Pros Of Paw Licking
- Protection from Fleas and Ticks
Dog’s paw licking can reduce the risk of fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks are tiny parasites that feed on blood, causing irritation and itching in your dog. They may also transmit diseases such as heartworm, which can be fatal for your pet.
Fleas and ticks live on your dog’s fur, so paw licking will help prevent these pests. If you notice flea or tick bites on your dog, consult your veterinarian immediately. They will determine if it is a severe condition that requires treatment or if it is something you can treat at home.
- Prevention of Fungal and Bacterial Infections
Dogs lick their paws to get rid of the bacteria on their feet, which can cause infections. If you notice your dog licking its paws excessively, it could be trying to get rid of something.
It is especially true for dogs that walk on rough surfaces and have little access to clean water. Dogs with these conditions may develop corn, hot spots, and other skin infections.
The licking of the paws also helps remove dead skin cells and any dirt or debris that may get stuck between their toes.
- Aids in Grooming
Dogs licking their paws can be a natural process and may not be due to any disease. It helps in grooming, especially for dogs that have long nails.
When dogs lick their paws, it helps remove the dead skin cells from them to maintain the cleanliness of the nails.
Also, a dog licking its paws will keep it warm during cold weather because this action acts as a barrier between the dog’s body and the ground or snow.
It will also help dogs to be more active during winter because they can move around in the snow without getting cold.
Cons Of Paw Licking
- It Can Lead to Sores on Its Paw
Pet owners have found that a dog licking its paws can lead to sores and injuries. It may also cause skin irritation or a rash. This defect mostly happens when the dog’s saliva gets into the wound. The dog may rub its nose on the injury, which can cause additional damage to the skin.
- It Can Cause Allergies
The saliva from a dog’s paw licking may contain bacteria from fleas or other parasites that live on your dog’s body or in its fur. When this bacteria comes in contact with open wounds, it can cause irritations or harmful allergic reactions. Some reactions are hives or eczema (itching).
- It Can Lead to Other Bad Habit
Dogs licking their paws is common, but it can be dangerous for your dog. The licking can cause sores, which can be painful and lead to serious illness. Licking the paws can also cause the dog to lick other parts of its body, like its ears, mouth, or eyes.
- Paw Licking Can Bring Shame
If your dog starts licking his paws in an inappropriate place (such as in public), it can bring disdain from people who find it disgusting. If you don’t stop him at home, he may start doing so in public places such as parks and streets. It could cause problems for other people with dogs who might not like seeing someone else’s dog licking its feet in public places!
- It can spread germs.
Dogs lick their paws to remove any dirt or bacteria, which means they can transfer these germs around the house, parks, and playground.
This habit makes it easier for bacteria to spread around your home and cause illness or disease in other people who come into contact with them.
How Much Is Paw Licking Normal?
#1. Paw Licking is Normal for Dogs
It’s natural for dogs to take a few sniffs of their paws every day and lick them thoroughly. However, excessive licking or biting indicates allergy, infection, pain, or dry skin, among other things.
#2. Is it a problem When dogs lick their paws excessively?
It can be frustrating to deal with a dog that licks its paws excessively. Also, occasional paw licking does not mean your dog has an allergy or fungal infections.
While licking provides temporary relief from itchiness. It can become a habit long after the initial problem has been solved or gone away on its own and can lead to other issues.
Occasional Paw licking is ordinary when there are no visible signs of injury, inflammation, cuts, or soreness. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Consequences of a dog licking excessively
- Foul Odor
Can’t we all agree that the smell of dogs’ paws is an unavoidable part of being a pet parent? Well, your pal may be obsessively licking his paws to the point where it reeks, and you can’t help but feel bad for him.
In that case, it might be time to get in touch with your vet because this excessive paw licking may hurt their health.
- Thickened Nails
Nails thickened by excessive licking can create severe issues with the rest of your dog’s body. The constant paw licking wears down his claws, resulting in injuries to furniture and paws.
Thicker nails will also cause discomfort to the paw itself. Thickened nails indicate serious medical issues, such as diabetes or kidney disease.
If you notice your dog’s paw licking accompanies other behaviors like lethargy or vomiting, you should contact your veterinarian.
- Spread to Other Paws
Unsurprisingly, excessive paw licking can lead to itchy paws, which can be painful and cause your dog to scratch and dig at its skin. It then becomes a compulsive behavior that your dog will repeat over and over until it makes the itchiness go away.
- Skin Problems
Itchy paws can lead to your dog scratching himself until he bleeds, which leads to a severe condition called hot spots. Hot spots are circular patches that contain hair, an itchy red rash, and scabs.
Because it eliminates the vital oils from its paw pads, dogs licking excessively makes them prone to infections and allergies. Inflammation and bacterial infections brought on by persistent paw licking can cause lameness.
Identifying the cause of excessive paw licking
Paw licking is not bad for dogs, but there are ways to tell if it becomes excessive or is a sign of something else. Pet parents should watch for red or irritated skin when there is excessive paw licking and one paw favored over the other.
Also, they should check for changes in skin texture. It may look scaly around their paws, and an increase in bacteria levels (such as staph) found on the dog’s paws after it has been licking them excessively.
The only way to know what is causing the excessive licking is by taking your pet to see your veterinarian.
What To Put On Dog Paws To Stop Licking?
If you’ve ever taken your dog out to the park, there’s a good chance you’ve seen them pawing at its face while it sits beside you. Paw licking may require vet attention when it becomes excessive.
Here are some ways to stop this behavior once and for all!
#1. Lick Guards
It can be difficult for humans to keep up with all the best ways we can help our dogs when it seems so sure of what it needs. Luckily, these lick guards have proven to work.
Dogs generally lick their paws when feeling stressed, anxious, or bored. It will often obsessively lick at them, sometimes even drawing blood! These signs are easy enough for most pet parents and vets alike to spot and give plenty of indication as to the cause.
#2. Anti-Lick Spray
There are several strategies you can use to help with the licking. Try brushing your dog’s fur daily and giving it new toys, for example. You could also try an anti-lick spray made especially for dogs.
An anti-lick spray contains an unpleasant-tasting coating, which makes it difficult for your pet to lick his paws without making a face. Remember that it may take more than one application to work, so give it some time and be persistent!
#3. Antibiotics
If you believe your pet has a bacterial infection, Your vet can prescribe medications to kill the bacteria. Some antibiotics include amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, erythromycin, tetracycline, or metronidazole.
#4. Adhesive Bandages
Before applying adhesive bandages, it is crucial to clean the paw pad and remove all debris from between the toes. You can clean paw pads with soap and water or an alcohol swab. Then apply adhesive bandages around the edge to seal out any moisture that could lead to an infection.
#5. Petroleum Jelly
An easy way to curb the behavior is to smear petroleum jelly on one of their paws. It will be uncomfortable for them, but it should only take a few days before it gets the hint and stops. If this doesn’t work for you, try putting nail polish remover on its paws or brushing them with strong-smelling bleach.
#6. Soap and Water
Afterward, clean the paws with soap and water. If this doesn’t work, consult your veterinarian. The urge to lick may be due to an allergy or another medical condition.
#7. Zinc Oxide Ointment
Putting Zinc Oxide Ointment on your dog’s paws is one way of stopping him from licking his paws. When he tries to lick it, the ointment will taste horrible and make him want to lick something else instead.
#8. Painkillers
Before considering this medication, it is necessary to consider the likelihood that the issue is due to pain. If it is not, behavioral modification and time may help them overcome the habit.
Behavior medications that can reduce it are Tricyclic antidepressants and Monoamine Oxidase inhibitors. They work by affecting certain chemicals in the brain.
#9. Paw Boots
Paw licking, or laceration of the paws, is a common canine problem. When these lacerations become infected, they often lead to arthritis and diabetes.
Luckily you can use Paw Boots to allow your dog’s paws time to heal while preventing any unwanted bacteria from entering the wound.
Made from flexible silicone with an ergonomic anti-slip design, Paw Boots slip over the paw and rest on top of the fur for comfort.
FAQs
Do dogs lick their paws when stressed?
Yes, dogs lick their paws when stressed. Stress can cause a dog to lick its paws, especially if it is licking its fur to remove the stress-induced sweat.
Dogs may also lick their paws when it is feeling cold or uncomfortable. Dog’s paw licking is a way it soothes itself when it has cut or injured its paw, and in some way, it can help him feel better and recover faster.
Stress is a normal reaction to feeling threatened. But if it continues over time and worsens, it could indicate another underlying problem causing stress in your pet.
Can I give my dog Benadryl for licking paws?
Yes, but you should be careful because Benadryl can make your dog sleepy and cause drowsiness. It is not a good idea to give your dog Benadryl if he has an underlying health condition.
If you have an underlying health condition that needs attention, it is better to consult a doctor before giving your dog any medication.
Conclusion
Why do dogs lick their paws? Dogs lick their paws for several reasons. It can be stress, food allergies, infection, parasites, and worms. Pet parents should always consider why their dogs lick their paws constantly, and when it is excessive, visit a vet or a dog trainer. Dogs also lick their paws to keep them clean, remove dead skin, and get the taste of salt off them (which is harmful to them).
Related topic: How often do dogs go into heat?
*photo by 160275 – depositphotos
