Foot in mouth

THE PAW-LICKING PROBLEM

As with all dog behaviours, there are multiple reasons why dogs lick or chew their paws. These include habit, injuries, skin problems, environmental changes/challenges, parasitic infestations, food allergies, boredom or anxiety.

Occasional paw licking is normal for dogs and is part of their self-grooming process, especially when they come inside after walking on dirty or sandy ground. However, if your dog frequently and intensely licks his paws or suddenly starts licking his paws, you can assume something is wrong.

INJURIES

The first step to take, especially if the licking begins very suddenly and is focused on one paw, is to examine the paw in question to make sure there is not an injury such as a cut, split, torn nail, growth, or perhaps a stone or thorn stuck between their pads. Your dog may have irritated his paw by steeping on something sharp, walking on hot sidewalks, being stung by a bee or getting a blister. During your inspection, make sure you look closely at the nails, between the toes and pads and also at the top of the feet. Some of these issues can be relieved by simple first aid and rest, while others might require a trip to the vet.

DERMATITIS

If the paw pads and feet look normal, the licking could be due to a skin condition (dermatitis) due to bacterial issues, allergies or food sensitivities. Your dog could develop dermatitis by being allergic to chemicals he’s walked in or certain types of grass or weeds. Cleaning off the paws as your dog comes in through the door could help to manage this condition.

FOOD ALLERGIES

Food allergies are known to cause itchy paws, and these types of allergies are difficult to identify specifically. Your vet may suggest a special diet or elimination of certain ingredients from your dog’s food to try and alleviate the problem.

PARASITES

Parasite infestations, such as those caused by fleas or mange, can cause the paws to be very itchy. Your vet can recommend treatments to eliminate the parasites, which should relieve the itching.

PAIN

Finally, a dog experiencing pain due to arthritis or other foot or leg conditions may lick his paws. Even if the pain is somewhere else in their body, some dogs will try to deal with it by licking a front paw continuously. In these cases the origin of the problem will require diagnosis and treatment by your vet.

BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES

If your vet has ruled out all of the above problems, then your dog may be suffering from boredom or a behavioural problem such as anxiety. Some dogs can also develop compulsive behaviours, which include paw licking. Again, the cause of these issues can be difficult to diagnose, but a certified animal behaviourist will be able to assist you.

SECONDARY INFECTIONS

It is important to recognise that licking behaviour can be indicative of a health problem or may become harmful to the dog in itself. You should work with your vet to determine the cause of the behaviour and find an appropriate solution. Don’t wait too long before consulting your vet, because the moisture resulting from constant paw licking can cause a secondary bacterial or yeast infection – causing even more itching, redness, swelling and licking.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

Depending on the underlying cause of the problem, the vet may relieve your dog’s itching by prescribing topical antiitch sprays, steroids to reduce inflammation, antibiotics for a bacterial infection, anti-parasite medications for parasite infestations or antifungals for yeast infections. The sooner you can address the problem and identify the cause, the better.