5 Reasons Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws
Your dog, no doubt, licks and chews their paws occasionally! This is how dogs self-groom, especially after they’ve come inside from a dirty or sandy ground. However, there is cause for concern if your dog is intensely and frequently licking their paws. There are multiple reasons why this could be happening, and you’ll need to assess the situation to know if your dog requires veterinary attention.
Skin Issues
Dogs can experience a lot of the same issues as humans! If there is repeated licking and biting going on, this could be an indication of a skin issue. Problems like dermatitis (bacterial problems, allergies, or food sensitivities), blisters, cysts, insect bites or dandruff are all skin issues that can encourage your dog to lick their paws over and over.
Injury
Your dog, of course, won’t be able to tell you if he or she is injured. If there is an injury on their paws, they might be licking and chewing to try and relieve the pain or dislodge a stuck object.
Here are common injuries your dog could have:
- Burns from a hot sidewalk
- Overgrown nails
- A bee sting (check for a stinger!)
- A cracked, chipped, or broken toenail
- An object such as a thorn, glass or stone stuck in their paw
Behavioral Issues
Excessive licking can be linked to behavioral issues. Anxiety and boredom could be at play here and your dog is using their paws as a source of stress relief. This can be hard to diagnose, but there are some steps you can take to help your dog. If you believe your dog is bored, try going on more walks and playing games for more physical and mental exercise. Or try a new chew toy to divert their attention away from their paws.
Other behavioral issues like separation anxiety or fear of noises might require professional help from an animal behaviorist.
Bacterial or Yeast Infection
It’s important to understand that an infection is always secondary to the underlying problem. Infections can develop when there is a cut on the paw and bacteria makes its way in under the skin. Inflammation and lots of itching can also cause an upset to the skin and encourage infection.
Apple cider vinegar is known to have antifungal and antimicrobial properties, if used topically. Talk to your veterinarian about using this as a topical protection!
Itchiness
Your dog might lick or bite their paws because they’re itchy! The itchiness can stem from some of the reasons above, like skin issues or an infection. If you find your dog itching the same spot on their paws over and over, this could be what’s known as a “hot spot.” Sometimes a dog has an intense itch and over-itches that spot. It can lead to hair loss and a moist, red spot on your dog’s paws. This is important to take care of quickly as it can lead to more serious problems!
How to Assess Your Dog's Condition
If your dog is suddenly licking their paws an excessive amount, the first step to take is to thoroughly check your dog’s paws for the potential cause. Check for redness or swelling–is there an injury or some kind of skin issue like a blister? Check in between toes and under their paws for things like thorns, dried blood, splinters, or glass. Be on the lookout for other behavior that could suggest an injury like limping or lack of movement.
Remember, occasional licking and gentle chewing is a normal self-grooming activity for your dog. If you find any true cause for concern for this repeated behavior or simply need some reassurance, your veterinarian is just a call away!
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