Why does my dog lick his paws?

Causes of Dog Licking

Skin allergies are a prevalent trigger of biting paws, and they can cause a reaction even if your dog's paws haven't come into contact with whatever they're allergic to.

Your dog's paws may also react to something they've come into contact with, so if your Dog is licking excessively, ensure you rinse them in cool, plain water after each walk.

Your veterinarian can provide you with a wealth of information and assistance regarding allergies, so contact them as soon as possible.

If this is happening in the late summer or autumn, parasites like harvest mites could be the cause - the larva appears as tiny red dots on the skin and extremely irritating your dog.

Other mites, such as Sarcoptic (mange) or Demodex, can irritate your dog's skin.

Fleas are, of course, the most frequent cause of itchiness in dogs.

Although fleas rarely live on the feet, if your Dog cannot scratch them, they may begin to lick their paws as a distraction.

Injuries

Examine the paws for any injuries, such as a cut, torn nail, growth, or a stone, thorn, or ice ball stuck between the pads, particularly if the licking starts suddenly and is centred on one paw.

Examine the nails, the space between the toes and pads, and the tops of the feet.

Stepping on something sharp, walking on salted or hot sidewalks, being stung by a bee, or getting a blister may have irritated your dog's paw.

Some of these issues can be resolved with simple first aid, while others may necessitate veterinary treatment.

Dermatitis

If the paw pads and feet look normal, the licking could be due to dermatitis, a skin condition caused by bacterial infections, allergies, or food sensitivities.

Your Dog could get dermatitis if he or she is allergic to chemicals in the yard, dicing products, or certain grasses or weeds.

Keeping a bowl of water and a towel near the door to gently clean the paws when you come in could be beneficial.

Parasites

Parasitic infections like fleas or mange can cause paws licking.

Your veterinarian can prescribe parasite-eradication treatments, which should alleviate the itching.

Allergies to foods

Itchy paws are a common symptom of food allergies, which can be difficult to diagnose.

To solve the problem, your veterinarian may recommend a special diet or the removal of certain ingredients from your dog's food.

Pain

A Dog with arthritis or other foot or leg problems may lick his paws to relieve pain.

Even if the pain is in another part of their body, some Dogs will repeatedly try to relieve it by licking their front paws.

A veterinarian must diagnose and treat this condition.

Irritation or boredom

If itchy feet have been ruled out, your veterinarian may suggest that your Dog is licking for other reasons.

When a dog's feet or joints are stiff and sore, they will lick them, just as we would rub a sore patch.

Boredom and stress can lead to your Dog licking and biting its front paws out of frustration, which can become habitual.

Keep a watch on your Dog to see if anything specific is causing the licking and biting.

If they suddenly start licking and biting at only one or two feet at home (and your vet doesn't think there's another reason), it could be due to a lack of interesting things to do!

If your dog's licking is due to boredom, give them an interactive toy like a destruction box.

Puzzle feeders are also a great way to keep your dog's mind occupied while you're away.

You may also discover that they prefer a few extra walks during the day or more time in the garden.

Because it makes them feel better, some Dogs chew or lick their feet when they are anxious.

Some people may have started doing this because their paws were itchy, and because it made them feel better, they've kept doing it even when the itch has gone away.

This is a difficult habit to break, so we recommend consulting with your veterinarian, who can assess your specific situation and recommend the best course of action.

Secondary Infections

It's critical to understand that licking behaviour can indicate a health problem or become dangerous to the dog.

You should work with your veterinarian to figure out what's causing the problem and how to fix it.

Don't put off doing this for too long, as the moisture from constant foot licking can lead to a secondary bacterial or yeast infection, which will cause even more itching, redness, swelling, and licking.

Meanwhile, the veterinarian may prescribe topical anti-itch sprays, steroids to reduce inflammation, antibiotics for bacterial infections, or antifungals for yeast infections, depending on the underlying cause of the problem.

The sooner you can address the issue and identify the source of the problem, the better.

How to Prevent Your Dog Licking His Paws

When a Dog sustains an injury, he is compelled to lick it.

This is partly because it is all he can do.

It's fine sometimes, but you should never allow your Dog to lick a wound because excessive licking can cause more harm than good.

Here is how you can stop your Dog from licking his paws:

Use a Cone

A cone is one of the most typical ways to keep a Dog from licking his paw.

This cone is worn around the neck and extends out like a lampshade to keep the mouth away from the skin.

With a cone on, a Dog can still lick his paw on occasion.

It may be enough to keep a wound covered with a simply wrapped bandage to break the licking habit.

Keep an eye on your Dog to make sure he doesn't chew off the bandage.

Identify and Avoid Allergens

This can be difficult, but if you've recently planted grass or a new shrub, you may be concerned that it's causing your dog's itchy feet.

The best way to identify specific allergens is through intradermal skin testing by a veterinary dermatologist.

Checking local pollen reports online is a non-specific way to find out what your Dog is reacting to.

Avoid taking your Dog for a walk during pollen-heavy times of the day.

Because Dogs react to pollen on their skin, not just what they inhale, they will come into contact with allergens at any time of day when they go outside.

It may, however, assist by avoiding high-pollen times.

Having Dogs wear foot coverings when walking outside during allergy season is one helpful strategy.

When walking a Dog outside, shoes will protect the dog's feet from pollen and other allergens.

Wash the Feet Daily

Rinse your dog's feet two or three times a day with lukewarm water, especially after he's been outside.

Holistic Treatment of Obsessive Paw Licking and Allergies

It's thought that a dog's saliva can aid in wound healing.

This is partially true, but the healing properties of Dog saliva have been exaggerated.

While saliva does appear to have some antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, research shows that these properties are minor.

Worse yet, a Dog who refuses to stop licking wounds can irritate his skin to the point of causing it to become raw.

Here are some of the holistic tips for treating obsessive paw licking:

Improve the Diet

Food is one of the most effective ways to improve your dog's overall health.

It's critical to provide your Dog with a well-balanced, nutritionally complete diet, but there are many other factors to consider.

If you're currently feeding store-bought Dog food and storing it for months, switching to premium Dog foods purchased in smaller quantities is a simple way to step up your game.

Rather than buying a king-sized bag and storing it in the garage for months, buy a small, fresh bag every couple of weeks.

Because the fats and other nutrients in stale, dry Dog food break down quickly, your dog won't get as much benefit from it.

Fresh foods, such as very lean cooked meats and small amounts of dog-safe cooked minced vegetables and fruits, should be added to your dog's diet.

According to veterinary nutritionists, fresh foods can account for up to 25% of your dog's daily intake.

Probiotics to Strengthen Immune System

The veterinary community considers probiotic supplements to be safe and potentially beneficial for various canine health issues.

We know that the gut is home to the majority of the immune system.

Introducing beneficial bacteria to the gut can have a positive impact on the entire body.

The veterinary community considers probiotic supplements to be safe and potentially beneficial for various canine health issues.

Improve Sleep and Exercise Routines

Many clinical studies on the effects of stress on allergies have been conducted in humans and other species.

While the link isn't clear, it appears that stress can aggravate allergy symptoms in people who are prone to them.

Although Dog stress differs from human stress in appearance, the effects are the same.

Most dogs' sources of stress are most likely related to their inability to express their natural behaviours.

This includes not getting enough exercise, not getting enough sunshine, and not getting adequate sleep.

Please take your Dog for a daily walk.

Make an effort to travel to new places and allow your Dog to explore natural areas (in a safe way, of course).

At night, turn off all lights, televisions, and computers so that everyone can sleep in the dark.

Make the Environment Cleaner

Some allergic Dogs have a problem with dust and dust mites.

Washing your dog's bedding in warm water and letting it dry in the sun at least once a month is a good habit to get into.

You might want to do this weekly if he's having a flare-up.

At least once a week, vacuum or mop the floors and dust your furniture.

Strong fragrances and cleaning products should be avoided.

How can I Tell if My Dog's Licking is a Problem?

Consult your veterinarian if you see any of the following symptoms:

• Your dog's paws are stained a bright red or pink colour.

  This discolouration will be more noticeable in Dogs with lighter coats.

  It could indicate that the porphyrin pigments in your dog's saliva are frequently coming into contact with his feet enough to stain the fur.

• Your dog's paws have a foul odour.

  This could indicate that an open wound is infected.

• Your Dog is limping.

  There's a serious issue if your Dog is showing signs of discomfort.

  Keep an eye on your dog's body language.

• Your dog's paws have blood or scabs on them.

  A serious issue could be indicated by open wounds, scabs, or other signs of skin irritation.

• Your dog's feet are swollen.

  This could indicate an injury or infection, which could be the result of excessive licking.

  On the other hand, your Dog could be licking his paws in response to an injury or infection.