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Why Does My Dog Lick Their Paws?

You may have noticed your dog chewing and licking their paws. Why do they do this? As with other dog behaviors, there can be several causes, including injuries, skin problems, allergies to canine environments, parasites, or food, and boredom or anxiety.

Occasional paw licking is normal for dogs as a part of their self-grooming process, especially when they come inside after walking on dirty or sandy ground. But if your dog frequently and intensely licks their paws, you can assume that something is wrong.

Injuries

The first step to take, especially if the licking begins very suddenly and is focused on one paw, is to examine the paws. Youll need to check to make certain there is not an injury such as a cut, torn nail, growth, or perhaps a stone, thorn, or ice ball stuck between the pads. Look closely at the nails, between the toes and pads, and at the tops of the feet.

Your dog may have irritated their paw by stepping on something sharp, walking on salted or hot sidewalks, being stung by a bee, or getting a blister. Some of these problems can be relieved by a simple first-aid treatment, while others might require treatment by a veterinarian.

Dermatitis

If the paw pads and feet appear normal, the licking could be due to a skin condition (dermatitis), which often is the result of bacterial problems, allergies, or food sensitivities.Your dog could develop dermatitis by being allergic to chemicals used in your yard, products meant to deice your driveway, or certain types of grass or weeds. Keeping a bowl of water and a towel near the door to gently clean off the paws when you come inside could help.

Parasites

Parasite infections (such as fleas or mange) can cause the paws to be very itchy. Your veterinarian can recommend treatments to eliminate the parasites, which should relieve the itching.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are known to cause itchy paws, and these types of allergies are difficult to pinpoint. Your vet may suggest a special diet or elimination of certain ingredients in your dogs food to try to address the problem.

Pain

Finally, a dog that is experiencing pain due to arthritis or other foot or leg conditions may lick their paws. Even if the pain is somewhere else in their body, some dogs will try to deal with it by licking a front paw continuously. This requires diagnosis and treatment by a veterinarian.

Behavioral Issues

If you and your veterinarian have ruled out all of the above problems, then your dog may be suffering from boredom or a behavioral problem such as anxiety. Again, this is difficult to diagnose, but there are some steps you can take to help. Some dogs develop compulsive behaviors, which include paw licking.

To deal with boredom, try taking your dog for more walks or runs. Increase playtime with you and with other dogs to use up more mental and physical energy. Give your pet puzzle toys or safe chew toys to take their focus away from his paws.

If you think anxiety, such as fear of noises or separation anxiety, may be causing them to lick their paws, there are a number of ways you can attempt to relieve the anxiety, including calming treats. A good animal behaviorist can suggest a variety of options to try.

Secondary Infections

Its important to recognize that licking behavior can be indicative of a health problem or may become harmful to the dog. You should work with your veterinarian to determine the cause and find an appropriate solution. Dont wait too long to do this, because the moisture of constant foot licking can cause a secondary bacterial or yeast infection causing even more itching, redness, swelling, and licking.

Meanwhile, depending on the underlying cause of the problem, the veterinarian may relieve your dogs itching by prescribing topical anti-itch sprays, steroids to reduce inflammation, antibiotics for a bacterial infection, or antifungals for yeast infections. The sooner you can address the problem and illuminate the cause, the better.

Excessive licking in dogs: Vet's guide to causes and treatment

Excessive licking in dogs is an act that can test the patience of a saint. However, your dog isn't licking to be difficult. Excessive licking is a sign of a larger issue at play. The core reason for this behavior can stem from a large variety of both medical conditions and behavioral issues. Irrespective of the cause, all require investigation and treatment.

It is not recommended to ignore excessive licking or dismiss its importance. Discovering and treating the underlying reason why your dog licks a lot, whether this is their paws or elsewhere on their bodies, is the key to stopping this behavior.

Tests, veterinary care and treatments can add up, however, and chronic and excessive licking may turn into a lengthy and complex process to find the correct cause, therefore increasing your costs and expenses. This isnt the same in all cases but it is a detail to factor in.

By taking out the best pet insurance before your dog experiences any health or behavioral issues, will help pay for most of these costs. It also gives you peace of mind and freedom to treat your dog how you wish to, when you want to. That ease is worth having and means you can keep your dog happy, healthy and your bank account wealthy.

What does excessive licking in dogs mean?

Licking is a normal behavior in dogs, and dogs may lick their owners as a sign of affection, to seek attention, or even just if they think their human tastes good!

When licking becomes excessive, however, it is usually a sign that something is wrong, as it can indicate anxiety, stress, boredom, pain, or an underlying health condition.

In general, a dogs licking is considered excessive if they cause trauma to themselves or if the behavior interrupts their normal daily activities.

If a dog licks themselves continuously, one potential consequence is the development of acral lick dermatitis. This skin condition occurs when a dog licks or chews one area of skin, usually over the wrists or forearms, to the point of causing hair loss, red or thickened skin, oozing, and sometimes infection.

Licking can release endorphins in dogs, so this can become a repetitive cycle regardless of the initial trigger.

Is excessive licking a sign of pain in dogs?

Yesexcessive licking can be a sign of pain in dogs. Like humans rub painful areas to make themselves feel better, dogs lick painful areas to relieve some of the pain, or if they cant reach, they may lick a closer body part like their front legs.

Common causes of excessive licking include arthritis and skin allergies, but there are numerous potential triggers.

Causes of excessive licking in dogs

The following medical issues can cause excessive licking in dogs:

• Painful conditions of the bones, joints, and muscles including osteoarthritis, soft tissue injuries, fractures, and degenerative joint disease
• Skin conditions such as external parasites (like fleas or mites), food or environmental allergies, skin cancer, and acral lick dermatitis
• Gastrointestinal issues such as food sensitivities, dietary indiscretion, a sudden change in diet, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal parasites (like worms)
• Infections of the skin, mouth, intestines, urinary tract, or reproductive tract
• Anal gland impaction
• Dental disease
• Oral cancer
• Hypothyroidism
• Cushings disease
• Trauma

Is excessive licking a sign of anxiety in dogs?

Yesexcessive licking can be indicative of anxiety in dogs. When dogs become anxious, bored, or stressed, they may perform repetitive behaviors such as licking to calm themselves down or entertain themselves. If this behavior isnt addressed promptly, this licking can lead to medical issues like inflamed or infected skin and acral lick dermatitis.

In addition to anxiety in dogs (including separation anxiety), other behavioral conditions can cause excessive licking or other repetitive behaviors in dogs, including canine compulsive disorder (also sometimes referred to as OCD in dogs, which is similar to OCD in humans), canine dysfunctional behavior (similar to autism spectrum disorder in humans - see our guide to 'can dogs be autistic?' for more information - and canine cognitive disorder, or doggie dementia."

Diagnosing excessive licking in dogs

In order to stop a dog from licking excessively, the root cause must first be identified. While it may require you to learn how to calm a dog down, because there are numerous causes of excessive licking in dogs, there is a wide range of potential management and treatment approaches.

The first step is to determine whether the dog has any underlying medical conditions. Their vet will obtain a thorough clinical history and perform a physical examination to look for evidence of injuries, infection, orthopedic issues, skin conditions, neurological disorders, systemic diseases, and possible behavioral problems.

Depending on these findings, they may perform diagnostic tests such as blood and urine tests, skin investigations, and imaging such as X-rays.

If no obvious cause of excessive licking is detected, the vet may wish to do a pain relief medication trial with drugs such as tramadol or gabapentin, or they may recommend referral for more advanced imaging techniques such as MRI or CT.

Dr. Diana Hasler BVM&S MRCVS

Dr. Diana Haslergraduated with distinction from the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2018. She has experience working as a small animal veterinarian in general practice, where she has treated many dogs, cats, rabbits, and rodents. She has also recently branched out into the field of medical communications, doing freelance work as a medical editor and writer.

Treating excessive licking in dogs

Any underlying health conditions should be treated promptly to minimize the chances of excessive licking becoming a persistent problem:

Medication and collars

If the dog has caused any trauma to themselves, they may require pain relief or anti-inflammatory medications. Any infections should be treated with systemic antibiotics, which may help stop the cycle of licking.

Dogs who develop acral lick dermatitis may also benefit from a buster collar/E-collar to prevent them from damaging their skin further.

Dogs who have behavioral disorders may also require prescription medications to help stop excessive licking.

For example, dogs with canine compulsive disorder often benefit from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac, which helps reduce the urge to perform compulsive, repetitive behaviors like licking.

Dogs with chronic behavioral conditions may also benefit from referral to a certified veterinary behaviorist.

Avoid triggers

If no medical issues are detected, the dog is likely licking incessantly for behavioral reasons. In these cases, triggers should be avoided (i.e., not leaving a dog with separation anxiety by itself) and dogs should be given enough exercise and mental stimulation.

Behavioral modification training

Behavioral modification training should also be implemented. For example, when dogs are licking due to anxiety or boredom, they should be redirected to another activity, such as a puzzle toy or training commands, and rewarded when taking part in activities other than licking.

For dogs who lick their owners when they want attention, they should be ignored until they stop, as giving them attention is rewarding them for licking.

Summary

Dogs who lick excessively should be taken to their veterinarian to determine if they have any health conditions or behavioral issues that require treatment.

It is best to do this sooner rather than later, as excessive licking can become a learned, self-soothing behavior that can persist even after the underlying cause is addressed.

Why Do Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws?

So your dog is chewing and licking their paws more than usual, even when you try to distract them by calling their name or offering their favorite toy. Why is this happening?

Dr. Valentina Henao is a veterinarian and medical director at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Miami. She explains that a dog licking and chewing their paws could be doing so for many reasons, ranging from common issues like fleas or allergies to paw injuries.

Below, Dr. Henao helps us explore the most common causes and potential treatments for paw licking and chewing.

5 Reasons Your Dog Is Licking Their Paws

Dogs licking their paws is a fairly common behavior. Most often, its usually nothing to worry about. Dogs lick their paws as a means of exploration, self-soothing, or simply to clean off muck left over from their afternoon walk.

But if your dog is licking and chewing their paws excessively (they dont stop when you call them or try to distract them with toys, food, or a walk), to the point where they're causing themselves harm, then its time for a closer look at what might be going on.

Here are some of the most common reasons dogs excessively lick and chew at their paws:

1. Injuries or General Pain

While occasional paw licking is normal, aggressive licking or chewing could indicate pain or injury. Signs of pain like limping, avoiding stairs, or decreased activity might also be present if your pet is experiencing pain from:

If you think your dog may have been stung, look for an embedded stringer. We must remove stingers that can cause allergic reactions and make your pets sick, Dr. Henao says. Similarly, if you find a cut or suspect pain from other causes, reach out to your vet for diagnosis and treatment.

2. Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are common parasites that can make dogs itch, lick, and bite themselves. These pests can live just about anywhere dogs frequent, including bedding, carpets, toys, soil, tall grasses, and wooded areas.

The simplest way to check if your dog has fleas or ticks is by physically looking them over. Signs of fleas include small moving bugs on your dogs skin and the black spots (flea dirt) they leave behind.

It's important to work with your veterinarian to figure out why your dog is licking their paws so the cause can be addressed quickly.

Ticks most commonly burrow between the toes, under the legs, and behind the ears. If you find a tick, carefully remove it with tweezers by grabbing the base as close to your dog's skin as possible.

Ensure when you remove a tick that the entire tick is removed, including the mouth parts. A tick can cause a serious skin infection if any parts of it are left behind, embedded in the skin. A special tick spoon is often the best way to remove the entire tick at once.

Fortunately, parasites such as fleas and ticks can easily be prevented and treated with flea and tick preventative medication.

Talk to your veterinarian about the options available, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. They can advise you on the best option for your dog.

3. Allergies

According to Dr. Henao, allergies can cause a reaction almost anywhere on the body, including infections of the skin and paws, hot spots, and ear infections. Identifying the allergen can be challenging because they can originate from:

• Food: Culprits may include proteins like chicken, meat, pork, and eggs.
• Seasonal factors: Triggers like grass and pollen can cause flare-ups.
• Environment: Laundry detergents or other household products might be problematic.
• Fleas: The itchiness of fleas is caused by an allergic reaction.

If your dog has any bothersome infections related to their allergies, they may need topical and oral medications and a recovery cone to keep them from licking and worsening the affected area.

To address the underlying allergies, Dr. Henao says vets typically take a comprehensive approach, including allergy medications, injections, special diets, topical medications, and/or medicated shampoos.

4. Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition in older dogs. It can affect not just large joints like hips and legs, but also the toes. This progressive disease occurs when joint cartilage breaks down, leading to pain, inflammation, and difficulty using the affected paws or limbs.

Fortunately, there are several ways to help provide relief and improve your dog's mobility:

• Environmental modifications: Make navigating your home easier for your dog by placing rugs on slippery floors, blocking access to stairs, and providing orthopedic beds.

• Veterinarian-approved dietary adjustments: Ask your veterinarian whether supplements like glucosamine or a joint-healthy diet could be beneficial.
• Weight management: Keeping your dog lean and not overweight helps to put less stress on their joints, which can help the arthritic process by easing the pressure and pain on affected joints.
• Exercise or physical therapy: Low-impact exercise and keeping the joints moving can help to decrease the pain felt by a dog with arthritic joints.
• Anti-inflammatory and pain medications (as needed): Depending on the severity of your dogs arthritis, your vet may recommend medication to help manage the pain. Medications may include:

  • Librela is the first FDA-approved medication injection to manage pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. It can only be administered by a vet in an office.

  • Galliprant is often prescribed to help ease the pain of arthritis in dogs and can be prescribed by your vet to give at home.

5. Behavior Issues

Just like people, pets can have behavioral and mental health problems that require support from their veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist, Henao says. In some cases, even after addressing underlying medical conditions like infections or allergies, a dog might lick and chew their paws due to:

Working With Your Veterinarian To Treat the Issue

Paw licking isn't usually considered an emergency, but Henao recommends seeing a vet as soon as possible if your dog experiences:

• Bleeding from their paws
• Swollen paws
• Limping
• Pus or other discharge, indicating infection
• Whimpering, wincing, or crying out when touched

It's important to work with your veterinarian to figure out why your dog is licking their paws so the cause can be addressed quickly. Dr. Henao warns that if the cause isn't treated, the licking can become a bigger problem.

Paw licking can lead to bacterial infections of the paws called pododermatitis, she says. This condition can be painful and lead to infections that can be hard to treat. Catching the issue early on can lead to a simpler solution.

WRITTEN BY

Janelle Leeson

Freelance Writer