Why Dogs Lick Their Paws

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

Why Dogs Lick Their Paws

If you’ve ever noticed your furry friend licking their paws, you may have wondered whether it’s just an ordinary doggy habit or something to be concerned about. While this behaviour is often harmless, excessive paw licking can be a sign of discomfort or pain, and can also lead to further irritation, so to ensure their health and happiness, it's important to address this issue early on.

The difference between healthy and excessive paw licking

It’s normal for dogs to clean themselves from time to time, and licking their paws is part of their personal grooming routine, but excessive licking that results in hair loss, redness, or swelling could indicate a problem. If you notice your pooch licking their paws for long periods or several times a day, it’s time to find the cause.

Reasons your dog won’t stop licking their paws

Before you panic, it's important to understand that there are several reasons why your dog might lick their paws, and some are nothing to worry about. The best way to get to the bottom of why they’re doing it is to examine their paws for signs of irritation and to watch their behaviour for additional clues.

Allergies and health issues

Allergies and health issues are one of the most common reasons dogs may lick their paws more than normal. Your pooch may be allergic to food, pollen, or something in their environment that makes them itch, resulting in them licking their paws and causing inflammation, infection, and hotspots. Other health issues such as skin infections, thyroid problems, and parasites can also lead to paw licking, so if you think your dog’s habit could be down to their health, get them booked in to see your vet.

Foot injuries or pain

If your pup has recently hurt their paw or has an underlying foot issue, such as a fungal or bacterial infection, they may lick their paws more than usual to soothe it. Dogs can also get foreign objects stuck between their toes, which is uncomfortable and tricky for them to resolve by themselves. Be sure to examine your dog’s paws to look for signs of injury or pain, such as foreign objects, cuts, wounds, or redness.

Boredom and anxiety

Dogs suffering from stress, anxiety or boredom anxiety are likely to lick their paws to entertain themselves or to relax via the soothing repetitive motion. This means dogs that spend long periods alone or don't get enough exercise or mental stimulation can be prone to the habit, as well as other destructive behaviours. If you suspect your dog is bored, try to keep them as physically and mentally stimulated as possible with toys, training, and plenty of exercise. If anxiety could be the source of the problem, you may need to provide them with additional support, such as by reducing their alone time and avoiding stressful environments.

How to stop your dog from licking their paws

The best way to stop your pooch from licking their paws will depend on what’s causing the behaviour in the first place. For example, if allergies or health issues are the cause, you should work with your vet to identify and treat the problem. For paw injuries or pain, make sure you keep the paw clean and bandaged to prevent your dog from licking it and irritating it further. And if it’s due to boredom or anxiety, do your best to keep your furry friend mentally stimulated with interactive toys, games and training.

When to seek medical advice

If your dog continues to excessively lick their paws despite your best efforts, or you think it could be down to a medical issue, it’s time to see the vet for help. They can check for underlying health problems, infections, and allergies that could be causing the problem. And if medical issues are ruled out, they’ll also be able to provide useful guidance on how to nip the harmful habit in the bud. While paw licking can often be a harmless behaviour among our furry friends, it’s important to figure out the cause to rule out any allergies, injuries or underlying health issues. For more insights into your pooch’s behaviour, as well as tips on keeping them as happy and healthy as possible, check out our Help Hub.