Most dog parents have had the experience of being around, or awoken by, a dog who is licking his paws, sometimes to excess. In brief stretches, paw licking may just be a sign of grooming or a bit of comforting self-care for your dog, but if it is being done frequently or with intensity, it may be a sign of an underlying health concern. Here are a few reasons why dogs lick their paws and what to do if it becomes a problem.
Itchiness
Excessive paw licking is most commonly a sign of itchiness. There are several possible reasons for a dog to be itchy, but most commonly, the underlying itch is associated with allergies. Like people, dogs can have seasonal allergies to grass, molds and pollens and most often absorb such allergens through the skin. Allergic dogs are often highly exposed through their feet as they walk through grassy areas. Since dog allergies most often present as itchy skin, their highly-exposed feet can be their itchiest spot. Canine allergies often require medications to provide necessary relief, so visiting your pup’s veterinarian is highly advisable.
Another cause of itchy paws may be external parasites such mites or fleas. While bugs often cause dogs to be itchy all over, a dog’s paws are one of the most accessible regions for licking and may be more noticeable than generalized biting or scratching. Flea and tick medications can prevent or control those parasites, and many formulas have been found to be effective against mites and lice as well. Such bugs are often not visible to owners, so just because you do not see fleas jumping around on the dog it does not rule out this possibility.
Scrapes, Scratches or Seeds
Injury to the skin or the paw pads may also motivate a dog to lick his paw. The licking can be an instinctual cleaning activity or a means of providing pain relief to the area. If your dog suddenly starts licking a single paw, a cut or abrasion to the foot or the skin between the toes may be to blame. Bug bites are also possible. Examine your dog’s paw carefully for any wounds. Inspect each paw pad as well as the spaces between the toes.
It is not uncommon for a grass seed or other small foreign body to become embedded in the skin of the foot, causing discomfort and subsequent excessive licking. While a small cut or injury may often heal on its own, licking of the area can delay healing. It may be helpful for your pup to wear a dreaded cone to force him to leave the injury alone and allow it to heal. If a foreign body, such as a grass seed is present, it will likely require removal by your veterinarian.
General Foot Pain
General foot pain can also cause a dog to lick his paws. The source of pain may be an acute injury, such as a toe fracture, or a chronic problem, such as arthritis in the paw’s joints. Paw pain may also result from injury or infection of the nails or nailbeds.
Observe your dog carefully for any other signs of pain, such as limping or reducing the amount of weight placed on a certain paw while standing. Remember, arthritic pain can affect multiple paws, so while an injury is likely to cause your dog to focus on a single paw, it is possible that a dog who is licking multiple paws is also in pain. If pain is suspected as the cause of paw licking, a visit to the veterinarian to determine and treat the source is warranted.
Anxiety or Bordem
It is possible for your pup to develop a licking behavior out of boredom or anxiety. Such emotional or behavioral causes are much rarer than the physical impetuses discussed above. If your dog is licking his paws obsessively, it would be wise to rule out all the possibilities above with your veterinarian before considering the issue to be behavioral in nature.
If anxiety or other emotional issues are ultimately considered a likely cause, it may be possible to use environmental enrichment to redirect your dog’s attention. Sometimes, the habit is perpetuated by lack of stimulation so providing new and interesting toys, training or exercise may direct your dog’s mental energy in another direction. Redirection with positive reinforcement for engaging in an alternative behavior is generally more effective and confidence building than punishment or scolding the undesirable action. Additionally, calming products, such calming supplements or anxiety shirts, may be beneficial.
No matter the original cause, excessive licking for any reason can leave skin vulnerable to secondary infections, and the moist environment created by the excess saliva can allow yeast overgrowth, particularly in the spaces between the toes. Each of these can exacerbate the original cause and result in even more licking, causing a difficult spiral. It is critical to address any secondary infections as well as the original issue to break the cycle and cure the behavior and its effects. Your veterinarian can help assess what treatment is appropriate to heal both the secondary and underlying issues.
Dogs who incessantly lick their paws can be annoying to pet parents as well as the dog and cause health and comfort issues for the affected pup. Your veterinarian can help you get to the bottom of paw licking in your dog’s specific case, making him healthier and both of you happier.