Why Does My Dog Lick His Paws

Dogs lick their paws to clean them and to help themselves cool down. In some cases, this can be a sign of a health issue. If your dog licks his paws excessively, contact your veterinarian for an examination.

What should I do if my dog keeps licking his paws?

A simple way to address behavioral paw-licking is to distract your dog. Take them for more walks, play with them more often, and offer them toys to hold their focus. Don’t scold them for licking, but don’t reward them with treats either.^[1]

Why is my dog licking her paws so much?

Dogs lick their paws as part of self-grooming routines, however excessive licking could be a red flag. While paw licking is a common behaviour, some additional reasons your dog is licking their paw include anxiety, stress, obsessive behaviour, flea allergies or boredom.^[2]

How much paw licking is normal?

“Pets should only lick at their feet for cleaning or grooming themselves,” says Dr. Landsberg. “Any more than that is abnormal.” While your dog obsessively licking one spot could be behavioral, Dr.^[3]

What does constant paw licking mean?

“The most common cause of paw licking is generally environmental allergies, also called atopic dermatitis,” explains Dr. Flynn. “Other causes of licking paws can include ectopic parasites such as fleas or mites, referred pain from arthritis—licking the feet or limbs since they can’t reach the painful joint.”^[4]

How do I know if my dog is licking his paws too much?

Dogs who lick their paws excessively often develop swelling and stains on the fur of their feet (if they are light-colored). Sometimes, excessive licking may cause moisture to become trapped between the dog’s toes, creating an ideal setting for an opportunistic infection.^[5]

What are signs of dog allergies?

Sneezing or a runny or stuffy nose. Facial pain (from nasal congestion). Coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Watery, red or itchy eyes. Skin rash or hives.^[6]

How much paw licking is too much?

Mild licking is considered as self grooming but if the licking and chewing lasts more than an hour, three to four times daily, then it is excessive.^[7]

Can I give my dog Benadryl for licking paws?

Antihistamines like Benadryl may help stop a dog from licking his paws. I find that the sooner I start giving my itchy dogs antihistamine, the less likely they are to need stronger drugs. Start giving antihistamine at the first hint of a dog’s paw licking behavior and continue throughout the allergy season.^[8]

Do dogs lick their paws when stressed?

Boredom, anxiety, and stress can cause your pup to lick their paws obsessively. They may have a favorite paw, but will often lick at both front paws, and sometimes their back feet, for entertainment or to help them relax.^[9]

Can I put apple cider vinegar on my dog’s paws?

For topical use, create an apple cider vinegar rinse for after your dog’s bath, as a remedy for irritated skin or a dry coat (1 cup ACV per 2-4 cups water). It’s common for dogs to get yeast infections in their paws; soaking your dog’s paws in ACV will relieve that too.^[10]

What foods are dogs most allergic to?

“The most common food allergens in dogs are proteins…” The most common food allergens in dogs are proteins, especially those from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, or wheat gluten. Each time a pet eats food containing these substances, the antibodies react with the antigens, and symptoms occur.^[11]