When dogs lick and chew their paws, it’s usually overlooked as a common canine behavior. However, the underlying causes can be as benign as simple grooming or much more serious. When you notice your best pal has begun to lick and chew their paws excessively, it’s important to understand the potential causes and when to seek a veterinarian’s input.
Should You Worry That Your Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws?
Chewing and licking are normal parts of canine grooming behavior. They often occur for a few minutes after a walk or before settling down for rest. If dogs lick and chew their paws for longer than a few minutes or this behavior occurs repeatedly, it may be time to investigate. Soggy paws and loss of fur can indicate something that needs intervention.
What Are Common Reasons Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws?
Allergies
Allergies are among the most common reasons dogs lick and chew their paws. Reactions can be caused by food, the environment (pollen and dust mites), or contact allergens like grass and cleaning products. Find out more about recognizing and treating allergies in dogs. Redness, irritation, and itching often accompany paw licking and chewing. Food sensitivities can also cause the skin to itch, prompting the licking and chewing of paws. Common culprits include beef, chicken, dairy, and some grains.
Parasites
Parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites can also cause intense itching, making dogs lick and chew their paws. The area between paw pads and toes often harbors these little invaders, and your dog will try to relieve the sensation by excessively licking and chewing their paws. Read more about these seven types of parasites in dogs.
Injuries and Irritation
Injuries and foreign objects are common reasons dogs lick and chew their paws. Cuts, scratches, broken nails, and even foreign objects like thorns or small stones lodged between paw pads can set your dog off to obsessively lick and chew their paws. Licking can also be encouraged by burns or abrasions from walking on hot pavements or harsh surfaces.
Anxiety or Boredom
Often, dogs lick and chew their paws as a result of emotional stress, like anxiety or boredom. This self-soothing mechanism occurs when your dog faces environmental changes, separation anxiety, or insufficient mental stimulation. In extreme cases, dogs lick and chew their paws to such a degree that sores can form, and fur falls out from the affected area.
Pain or Arthritis
Dogs lick and chew only one paw if they are experiencing pain from arthritis or an underlying orthopedic condition. Dogs lick and chew their paws if they are experiencing joint problems in an attempt to soothe themselves. If your dog has a diagnosis of arthritis, you might find these five treatment options for your dog’s arthritis useful.
Fungal or Bacterial Infections
Bacterial or fungal infections can occur in areas where moisture collects, like between your dog’s toes. Bacterial and fungal growth can cause intense itching, odor, and discomfort; often, the only sign they exist is when your dogs lick and chew their paws persistently. Infections of this nature will typically require veterinary intervention and can be stubborn to treat.
When To See The Vet
It can be easy to dismiss it when dogs lick and chew their paws. We may write it off as quirky canine behavior, but knowing when to seek veterinary care is important. If dogs lick and chew their paws excessively, veterinary care should be sought at the sign of any redness, swelling, bleeding, or limping. These are the signs that something more serious is going on, requiring professional treatment.
How To Stop it When Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws
- Identify and remove allergens: Try switching to a hypoallergenic diet, wiping your pooch’s paws after walks, and minimizing your pooch’s exposure to potential allergens as much as possible.
- Treat injuries and irritations: Regularly check for signs of injury or irritation that could cause dogs to lick and chew their paws. Clean any wounds with an antiseptic, or consult your vet if necessary.
- Prevent parasites: Stick to a regular tick and flea prevention schedule to reduce the risk of these critters setting up shop on your best pal.
- Provide adequate stimulation: Ensure your dog has plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Engaging in playtime, stimulating puzzle toys, and regular exercise will ensure that you prevent your dog from getting bored. Give these five puzzle toys for bored dogs a try.
- Address anxiety: Manage your dogs’ anxiety by minimizing their exposure to stress, using a calming supplement, and working with your veterinarian to manage their anxiety as much as possible so that they lick and chew their paws less.
- Visit your veterinarian: When dogs lick and chew their paws obsessively, it’s time to visit your veterinarian. They can determine the root cause and recommend appropriate treatments, such as medicated shampoos, antibiotics, or allergy treatment plans.
How To Tackle Long Term Management When Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws
Successfully stopping your dog’s compulsion to lick and chew its paws in the long term often requires a combination of approaches tailored to the specific cause. Maintaining a schedule of regular veterinary check-ups, practicing good hygiene, and tackling any symptoms early can help ensure that dogs lick and chew their paws only as a healthy part of their grooming regime and not as a result of something more sinister.
Final Thoughts On Why Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws
Understanding why dogs lick and chew their paws is essential before you can effectively address the issue. While occasional paw licking is a normal grooming behavior, excessive licking is a sign that something is up with your canine companion. By getting to the root of the problem, you can take the necessary steps to ensure your furry friend stays happy, healthy, and comfortable.
