Does your dog keep licking his paws? Here’s why and how the “paws”

Obsessive paw licking can lead to a whole lot of paw medicine! Learn common causes and remedies here.

Has your dog been licking his paws too much lately? Does the creepy sound of your dog chewing its paws wake you up at night? Maybe your pup is obsessively licking his feet until he’s irritated and his paws are red and sore.

If this all sounds like a familiar scenario, don’t worry! We may have the answers you are looking for.

Read on to find out why your dog keeps licking his paws and helpful tips on how to stop his obsessive paw licking for good.

Why do dogs constantly lick their paws?

Although it’s completely normal for your dog to lick his paws as part of his grooming routine (especially when his paws are dirty or muddy) If you’ve recently noticed obsessive licking, it may be a sign that something more serious is lurking.

The very first step in preventing your dog from licking his paws? Identify the root cause of the behavior.

There are several reasons why your dog may compulsively lick his paws, and it can become a serious and painful problem if the paw is licked so much that it becomes an open sore, which can lead to infection.

Here are five common reasons behind obsessive paw licking:

1. Allergies

The most common cause of dog paw licking is allergies. Dogs can be allergic to almost anything, including the food they eat, environmental factors such as pollen or grass, and even the chemicals used in some dog shampoos. If your the dog has skin allergies or is allergic to something in particular, they may lick their paws in an attempt to relieve the itching.

2. Bacterial or yeast infections

Bacterial infections in dogs occur when the surface of the skin is damaged, causing an overproduction of normal bacteria. This can cause scabs to form, along with redness, dry, scaly skin, and even hair loss.

Overproduction of yeast is another source of infection that causes irritation and a dirty feeling on the skin. The warm, moist areas between the pads of the paws are a breeding ground for yeast. You’ll definitely know if your dog has a fungal yeast infection – aside from the itching, you won’t be able to miss the disgusting smell!

3. Stress, anxiety and boredom

Another common reason dogs lick their paws is boredom or stress. If your the dog is boredthey may start licking their paws just for fun.

Stress can also cause a dog to lick their paws. Dogs may lick their paws to calm themselves down when they are anxious or nervous about something, such as a visit to the vet or moving to a new house.

If you think your dog is too anxious about going to the vet, a good option might be a 24/7 online veterinary chat to get advice from a certified veterinarian at home, and thus avoid having to drive your puppy to the veterinary clinic.

4. Pain, injury or arthritis

Dogs may also lick their paws for pain relief. If your dog has a wound or suffers from arthritis, chances are he will have a strong instinct to lick and clean his wounds in an effort to relieve pain (even if there isn’t an actual wound per se). ).

5. Dry skin

Your dog’s dry skin can be caused by a number of things, such as too long a bath, cold, dry weather (known to cause dry skin in dogs and humans!) and can even be a specific problem for your dog. the race. If your dog has dry, scaly skin, it is likely to itch and your dog will start licking in an attempt to relieve the itching and discomfort.

If you’ve tried to find a clear reason for your dog’s constant paw licking and none of the above causes seem to match, it’s best to contact your veterinarian.

How to stop your dog from licking his paws

There are a number of ways to stop your dog from excessively licking their paws – mostly centered around finding the source of the problem and then fixing the behavior itself.

Below is a list of treatment options you can try when your dog won’t stop licking his paws:

Medicated topical shampoos and treatments for dogs

If your dog is licking his paws due to allergies or bacterial infections, topical treatments such as sprays or creams (containing hydrocortisone), medicated dog shampoos or dog wipes may be effective for restore a healthy balance of organisms to your dog’s skin.

However, allergies can be difficult to diagnose and treat, so it’s best to talk to your veterinarian to identify the source of your dog’s allergy and prescribe the best treatment plan.

Regime change

Excessive paw licking can be caused by the overproduction of yeast in your dog’s body. And a common cause of yeast infections are food allergies. So it might be time to take a close look at your dog’s diet and talk to your vet about the best course of action, such as switching to a raw dog food or a mark of hypoallergenic kibble.

Natural Home Remedies

If you prefer to take a natural approach to your dog’s health, you can try a home remedy to prevent your dog from licking his paws. From soaking your dog’s paw in apple cider vinegar or oatmeal to applying coconut oil to the affected area, check out this quick list of 3 holistic remedies for hot spots, or this vast List of Home Remedies for Paw Licking.

Bath and paw balms

If your dog’s paws are dry and cracked, a daily bath will help soothe and soften his skin. You can use pet formula, high quality dog ​​shampoo or a mild baby shampoo. After bathing your dog, be sure to dry his paws thoroughly to prevent cracking and infection, especially between the toes. Once your pup is dry, apply a soothing paw balm to lock in moisture (we highly recommend Essential Dog Natural Paw Balm.)

Boredom hunting and exercise

If your dog is licking his paws because he’s bored or anxious, he just needs more stimulation and exercise. Walk your dog for at least 30 minutes each day, as well as provide good quality toys Or these easy do-it-yourself boredom busters for dogs when left alone, will go a long way to ease their anxieties and keep them happy and occupied.

Try a Band-Aid or Socks

A simple way to prevent your dog from licking his paw is to use a bandage or a sock! It may take a little patience, but if you cover your dog’s paw with a light bandage and let it wear for a few days, you may find that your dog stops constantly licking his paws. For some dogs, bandaging their paw is enough to keep them from licking themselves – out of sight, out of mind after all!

When Should I Be Worried About My Dog’s Paw Licking?

If your dog won’t stop licking his paws and you’re concerned that it could indicate a more serious health issue, here’s a quick list of things to look for that should be addressed as soon as possible:

• Licking the granulomas: a chronic skin problem caused by excessive paw licking
• Limp: a sign that your dog has a foreign object in his paw, such as a grass seed
• Dog paws are red: red, irritated skin between paws and toes
• Bleeding paws: Excessive licking of paws until they bleed is a concern
• Clear signs of injury or infection

If your pup exhibits any of the above signs or symptoms, a visit to the vet is highly recommended.

If you’re concerned that your dog’s constant paw licking is an emergency, it may be a good idea to consider a subscription to help eliminate the costs of emergency veterinary care. Initiatives such as the Pet Emergency Fund can cover your puppy’s emergency expenses once a year, up to $3,000.

We hope the above tips and reasons why your dog might bite or lick their paws were helpful!

Ultimately, paw licking may be a sign of a more serious medical issue and should not be ignored. So if you suspect your dog is licking his paw excessively, talk to a veterinarian to discuss the best treatment and/or management plan for your pup’s paw medication.

We wish you good luck !