![]() Do you see any foreign objects like glass, pebbles, seeds, or ice balls? Is a burr stuck between its toes? If the paw pad is cut or bleeding, then your dog is probably licking to clean the wound. The first thing you should do is inspect your dog’s feet. Here are a few steps that will help you identify the underlying issue and determine if you should call you your vet.Ĭhecking between your dogs’ paw pads is a good habit to get into, especially in winter. Separation anxiety in particular can result in self-destructive behaviors like obsessive-compulsive paw-licking, so consult with a behaviorist if you think your dog is dealing with anxiety.īefore you can truly help your dog, you need to figure out what’s causing all the licking. ![]() Other signs of anxiety include compulsive behaviors like pacing, excessive panting or drooling, avoiding interaction, and unusual vocalizations. Licking is a self-soothing act for dogs, so a dog who feels anxious or nervous may obsessively lick their feet to try and relieve these stressful feelings. If you notice that your dog is also stiff, reluctant to play, losing weight, or generally more grumpy than normal, take a trip to the vet to determine the underlying cause. A dog with painful paws may lick them to try and soothe the pain. Older dogs may lick their paws in an attempt to relieve pains caused by arthritis.ĭogs have a strong instinct to lick and clean their wounds, even if there isn’t an actual wound to clean. If you think your dog’s itchy skin may be caused by a yeast, head to your vet for a skin scrape and prescription anti-fungal to combat it. Yeast infections often indicate a compromised immune system, so it’s important to investigate their root cause. Dogs with a lot of skin folds, like Bulldogs and Pugs, are predisposed to this type of infection. Licking itchy paws can cause a secondary bacterial infection which makes skin even more irritated-a vicious cycle that often requires antifungal medication to control.īesides itchiness and inflammation, one of the key symptoms of a yeast infection is rancid, rotten-smelling skin-it smells really bad. A yeast infection happens when the skin overproduces certain types of normally-harmless yeast cells and becomes extremely itchy. Yeast dermatitis is a common inflammatory fungal infection that can occur in warm, moist areas, including between the paw pads. Also, some household cleaning products can cause your pets paw irritation, so take note if you’ve recently used anything new on your floors or laundry. On warm summer days, hot pavement can burn a dog’s paw pads, causing pain and potentially a bacterial infection if not treated promptly. Winter ground hazards such as salt and de-icing chemicals can further irritate a dog’s sensitive paws, leading to excessive licking as they attempt to clean their painful paws. Food allergies can also cause itchy allergic reactions in the skin and paws. Since your dog’s paws are constantly in contact with surfaces where these allergens can land, itchy paws are a common indicator of environmental sensitivities. Salts and de-icing chemicals are not friendly to dogs’ paw pads.ĭepending on where you live, your dog may be exposed to dozens of various pollens, mites, spores and other allergens which can trigger environmental allergies. Bleeding paws - licking paws until they bleed is a red flagĪny of these symptoms require further attention and possibly a vet visit!.Red and irritated skin - particularly paws red between toes.Paw chewing - chewing feet beyond normal grooming habits.Limping - can indicate a wound or foreign object in the affected paw.Lick granulomas or hot spots - extreme licking can cause these painful lesions, which often result in a secondary infection.Look out for these signs of harmful paw licking: ![]() However, licking paws excessively is cause for concern and can indicate a number of health issues which should be addressed quickly, before the licking behavior causes a hot spot or skin infection between the toes. It’s totally normal for your dog to lick their paws occasionally as normal self-grooming, especially after a muddy walk or whenever their paws might be dirty. When Should I Worry About My Dog’s Paw Licking? Is the sound of a dog licking paws becoming the norm in your house? Are you being woken up at night by that jarring toe-slurping noise? Does your dog chew their paws and generally obsess over their feet? Don’t worry, we’ve got solutions for excessive paw licking! Read on to find out why your dog keeps licking their paws, and how to stop this common behavior.
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