Why do dogs lick their paws

Sometimes, there may be something going on at a deeper level, such as a muscle sprain or some type of inflammation or fracture, especially if the licking is accompanied by limping. Like humans, dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things in their environment.

A blood test from a vet can help narrow it down. Chronic licking is usually attributed to allergies, and these can come from just about anything. It could be their food, the chemicals in your yard, your carpet-cleaning products, weeds, grass, medicine, or something else.

For example, if your dog licks their paws after walking, the itching could be caused by pesticides in the grass or by a particular weed. Clean your dog's feet with a wet wipe after each walk to prevent further irritation. Finding the real cause of the itchiness can be a very frustrating ordeal. It may take some enormous investigative work to figure what your dog is allergic to, and it is best to have your vet run a blood test so you can address the root cause of the problem rather than just giving your dog antihistamines.

If you suspect a yeast infection, a poor diet may be to blame. Sometimes, the simplest treatment for hair loss and itching caused by a yeast infection is to switch out your dog's food based on your vet's advice.

Make sure to provide quality foods full of specific nutrients and vitamins that are beneficial for the gut and the skin. You'll need to see your veterinarian and have them run an allergy test to find out the exact cause.

Common ingredients that cause allergic reactions include beef, chicken, pork, corn, wheat, and soy. They may also be allergic to artificial additives. Have your vet run a food allergy test, avoid cheap commercial foods, and try to feed them an all-natural diet. Wash food and water bowls frequently. Don't let your dog out into the yard during high-pollen season or right after you cut the lawn. Clean your dog's feet with a wet wipe after going for walks to prevent further irritation.

Vacuum often or limit your dog to non-carpeted areas. Wash your dog's bedding weekly. Change furnace and air-conditioning filters. Dogs who lick their paws excessively may be suffering from GI issues. According to a clinical study published by the Journal of Veterinary Behavior , gastrointestinal issues were present in a significant number of dogs who displayed abnormal licking.

On top of taking medical and behavioral histories and conducting a thorough physical and neurological examination, the dogs underwent abdominal ultrasounds, endoscopic examinations, and biopsies of the stomach and duodenum. The research revealed that 14 out of the 19 licking dogs were found to have some sort of GI abnormality, such as a lymphocytic-plasmacytic infiltration, chronic pancreatitis, or a gastric foreign body.

Sometimes, excessive licking can be a coping method for a dog that is understimulated. Modern times have created an environment of boredom for dogs.

Once used to walking, hunting, and scavenging, dogs today are often left at home in a small yard—or worse, a crate—for many hours a day. High-energy dogs may become frustrated and engage in destructive activities that may include excessive licking and chewing of their paws. Sometimes, dogs lick or chew their paws out of anxiety, much like a human might bite their nails or pick at their skin.

Anxious dogs often seek relief by licking themselves excessively. Possible causes of anxiety vary and range from separation issues to obsessive-compulsive disorders. In this sense, paw-licking or chewing in dogs may be similar to human nail-biting. Some dogs lick their paws before bed or lick themselves to sleep. This is just their way of relaxing and soothing themselves. If there is no redness or swelling, this type of paw-licking should not be a concern. If licking becomes compulsive and excessive, dogs may lick themselves raw and develop unsightly ulcers often referred to as ''lick granuloma.

It's a "chicken or egg" scenario. Sometimes, paw-licking in dogs may be a displacement behavior. Displacement behaviors occur when dogs face conflicts and display out-of-context behaviors that seem rather unrelated to the present situation. A human might chew on a pen or twist a ring on their finger when they feel mildly stressed and are not sure how to proceed in a situation, and dogs may lick for similar reasons.

Recently, a dog I had over for boarding and training kept chewing on her right paw. Interestingly, the paw-chewing occurred most often when she was frustrated about something. For example, it occurred without fail when her toy dropped to the floor. It also occurred when she couldn't have something that she desired.

With training and impulse control exercises , her paw chewing dramatically improved, and the visible staining on her paw disappeared. When a dog has a hormonal imbalance, they either produce too much cortisol which can cause Cushing's disease or don't produce enough thyroid hormone which can cause hypothyroidism.

This can increase a dog's susceptibility to developing skin issues such as red spots, balding, and brittle hair. Licking these irritated red spots or bald patches can lead to a secondary infection. Dry skin is often a breed-specific issue, but it can also be caused by over-bathing or a cold, dry environment. Fleas and ticks cause severe itchiness that can lead to compulsive paw-licking and chewing. The condition can get even worse if your dog is allergic to fleas.

In addition to using insecticides and flea medication, make sure to rid your house of fleas. If your pet is allergic to cleaning products or over-the-counter medications, there are non-toxic ways to get rid of fleas and prevent them from coming back.

Small iceballs and toxic deicing salts can irritate and even injure your dog's paws. If your dog only licks their paws during the winter, then the cause may be deicing salts or sore paws caused by ice balls.

No dog enjoys wearing the dreaded cone, but it can be effective in preventing excessive licking. Michael Kilcoyne via Unsplash. The cause of your dog's irritation may have been something simple like a mosquito bite, but their chewing and licking may have worsened the problem and caused a secondary infection. To put a permanent stop to the issue, you must simultaneously stop your dog from licking their paws and find a way to relieve the pain, irritation, or itchiness. Treatment, of course, should be based on the underlying cause of the problem.

July 2, Accessed September 27, May 20, Accessed October 3, May 19, Accessed October 4, September 5, It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional.

Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Question: How do I take care of my dog's brown paw fur created by excessive licking? Answer: The brown staining may be due to the proteins in the saliva. It can turn quite insightly in dogs who are white such as bichons, poodles, Havanese and Maltese. You can try certain shampoos to make the fur whiter, but before that, most importantly, you want to see the vet to address the excessive paw licking in your dog in the first place.

Perhaps your dog has allergies and certain shampoos can make things worse. Sometimes excessive licking can cause the onset of yeast infections, causing deep reddish-brown stains from the by products of the yeast growing and this may require medication. Answer: If the licking is due to a medical disorder, the adrenalin surge associated with having visitors around may cause her to temporary "forget", just like we often forget about our medical issues when we go out and about and visit with friends.

It would still be worth seeing the vet to rule out medical issues before assuming it's simply stress or boredom. Perhaps try increasing her exercise and providing more mental stimulation. Hi Nanette, the process of the skin turning black is called "hyperpigmentation" and this often occurs secondary to an inflammatory process due to underlying infections, allergies, etc.

Please see your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. Hi Pam, Care Credit is something we used to recommend for those who couldn't afford taking their dogs to the vet. I think for those who qualify you have no interest if you pay it back within 6 months. In most cases, vets are pretty good in accommodating owners' requests, so if she gets very anxious at the vet, they can avoid taking her to the back and do blood work in the room you are present.

I have a 9 year old terrier mix that licks his paws and his belly and groin area A LOT What do you do when you can't afford a vet? I love my dogs but I got a schnauzer 3 yrs ago she was being abused so I couldn't say no. She always has something wrong with her she has allergies and it took a year before she would trust me even a little. She doesn't like for me to ever leave I can't go into another room without her looking for me.

But she needs to be seen by a vet what do I do? Your vet may be able to take x-rays and see whether there is something more going on. Since this is an ongoing problem, it may be best to find out what's the culprit. I have a 3 year old Staffy cross shepherd who keeps licking her back paw, and my friend mentioned when she was watching her that she limped at one point like she just tripped, but that was because she did trip on a stick.

If the fleas keep biting, the dog keeps licking. Paws are affected by flea saliva, which leads to irritated, itchy skin.

Allergies to soy, corn, wheat, egg, and specific meats like chicken, pork, and beef are possible. In this case, you may see several behaviors with your dog: licking paws, hot spots, rash and severe gastro symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. Your vet will likely recommend switching food or trying a special diet that eliminates specific ingredients after taking an allergy test. Unfortunately, there are many, many things your dog might be allergic to that can lead to atopic dermatitis: pesticides, molds, weeds, types of grass and types of pollen are all common.

Sometimes your dog might walk in recently cleaned areas and experience a reaction from some cleaners. Avoid letting your dog walk on powders, perfumes, and cleaning products.

Parasitic infections can also be a common reason for excessive licking. Fleas and mange are common pup complaints and can cause paws to become very itchy. If a tiny flea hops during your examination, or you find eggs or a rash between their toes, you may have your culprit.

Fear not though, there are a number of over-the-counter and prescription treatments designed to combat and eliminate these parasites. With them gone, the itch should be gone too. Dogs can get dermatitis, just like humans, and these skin complaints can be the result of bacterial problems, allergies, or even food sensitivities. Dog skin allergies can be caused by chemicals used in your yard or certain types of plants. Your vet may have to run some tests to determine what is causing the rash.

Food allergies among dogs are almost as common as they are in human beings these days. Unfortunately, when it comes to dogs, the causes of these allergies are a bit harder to pinpoint. It's important to follow a good grooming schedule to ensure your dog's coat stays healthy.

Symptoms of dry skin can include itchiness, fur loss, redness, dandruff and scabs. If no known health-related reason can be found for the excessive paw licking, then the cause could be behavioral. Dogs, like people, often seek ways to comfort themselves in times of stress. Is there a change in environment noises, routine, new pets, or people that might cause your dog to seek this form of stress relief? In addition to stress, some dogs have canine compulsive disorder which is a form of obsessive compulsive disorder, but in dogs.

Try to identify the causes of your dog's stressful and anxious behavior and use redirection and exercise to relieve it. When boredom sets in, a dog may simply distract themselves by licking, for something to do. A common cause for concern with excessive licking is called lick granuloma also known as lick dermatitis , a stubborn skin disease.