Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Their Paws?

Written by Dr Leigh Davidson BVSc, BApplSc

There is a particular sound many dog owners know far too well.
You are sitting on the couch at night, everything is quiet, and then you hear it.
Lick. Lick. Lick.
Your dog is obsessively licking their paws.

Paw licking can look like an annoying habit, but quite often it’s your dog telling you that something’s irritating, itchy or painful.

The important thing is that paw licking isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a sign.

And while allergies are a common cause, they are certainly not the only explanation.

Watch Dr Leigh Explain Some Common Causes of Paw Licking

Is Your Dog Licking One Paw Or Several?

This is one of the first things I want to know as a veterinarian.
If your dog suddenly starts licking one paw, particularly after a walk, think about a local problem such as:

• a grass seed
• splinter or foreign body
• cut or wound
• broken nail
• something trapped between the toes
• pain affecting the foot or further up the leg

Carefully inspect between every toe, around the pads and around each nail. Compare the affected paw with the opposite foot.

Be careful if the paw is painful. Even gentle dogs may nip when a sore foot is handled.

If your dog is licking several paws, particularly when the problem has persisted for weeks or months, skin disease and allergies become much more likely.

Allergies and Itchy Paws

Paws are one of the classic areas affected by canine atopic dermatitis.

Our understanding of atopic dermatitis has also changed considerably.
It isn’t simply a case of your dog coming into contact with something in the environment and becoming allergic to it.

Atopic dermatitis involves a complicated interaction between the dog’s:

• immune system
• skin barrier
• genetics
• environmental allergens
• skin microbiome

For some dogs, the skin barrier itself is part of the underlying problem.

The Itch, Lick and Infection Cycle

An itchy paw causes your dog to lick.
Licking makes the skin damp and inflamed.
Damaged skin then makes it easier for bacteria and yeast to multiply.
The paw becomes even itchier, so your dog licks more.

You can end up with a cycle of:

itch → licking → inflammation → infection → more itch

This is why simply controlling the itch may not solve the problem.

Dogs with persistently itchy paws may also need to be assessed for secondary bacterial or yeast infections.

Signs can include redness, swelling, discharge, odour and brown saliva staining around the feet.

Could It Be A Food Allergy?

Food allergy is another possibility, but there is a great deal of misinformation about diagnosing it.

You cannot look at an itchy dog and decide they are allergic to chicken.

Hair, saliva and many commercially promoted blood tests cannot reliably diagnose which food is responsible for a dog’s skin disease.

When food allergy is genuinely suspected, vets generally use a proper elimination diet trial to investigate it.

Fleas and Other Parasites

Don’t dismiss flea allergy simply because you haven’t seen fleas.
Dogs with flea allergy can become extremely itchy after relatively little flea exposure.
Depending on where your dog lives and their history, mites and other parasites may also need to be considered.

Paw Licking Can Also Be Caused By Pain

Not every dog licking their feet has a skin problem.
Pain can cause licking too.

I become particularly suspicious of pain when:

• only one leg is affected
• the dog is older
• there is limping or stiffness
• they struggle getting up
• the skin itself looks relatively normal

In those cases, the problem may be underneath the skin rather than in it.

What Should You Check At Home?

Have a proper look at your dog’s paws.

Check:

• between every toe
• underneath and around the pads
• every nail
• whether one or several feet are affected
• redness or swelling
• discharge
• unusual smells
• brown saliva staining

Also look at the pattern of the itch.

• Does it happen at particular times of year?
• Does your dog also have itchy ears, belly, face or other areas of their body?

These patterns can provide your veterinarian with extremely useful clues.

When Should You Speak To A Vet?

Don’t spend months cycling through random internet remedies while your dog’s paws become increasingly inflamed.
Arrange a veterinary assessment if the licking is persistent, worsening or associated with:

• swelling
• pain
• limping
• discharge
• broken nails
• sores
• significant redness
• a strong odour
• repeated ear or skin problems

Working out why your dog is licking their paws gives you a much better chance of treating the problem successfully.
Because when your dog is lying beside you repeatedly licking their feet, it isn’t simply annoying behaviour.
They may be genuinely uncomfortable.

Download the Free Itchy Dog Checklist

We’ve created a simple Itchy Dog Checklist to help you work out what to look for before your veterinary appointment.
It helps you record where your dog is itchy, when the problem started, possible triggers, treatments you’ve already tried and the information your veterinarian is likely to ask about.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs Licking Their Paws

Why does my dog keep licking their paws?

Dogs lick their paws for many reasons, including allergies, bacterial or yeast infections, fleas, mites, grass seeds, broken nails, wounds and pain. If your dog is licking several paws repeatedly, allergies or skin disease become more likely. If they are suddenly licking one paw, check for a local problem such as an injury or foreign body.

Why is my dog licking their paws at night?

Dogs may seem to lick their paws more at night because the house is quiet and the behaviour is easier to notice. However, persistent night time licking can still indicate itch, infection, pain or another underlying problem and should not automatically be dismissed as a habit.

Are dogs licking their paws a sign of allergies?

Yes, paw licking is a common sign of allergies in dogs, particularly canine atopic dermatitis. However, allergies are not the only cause. Infections, parasites, pain and foreign bodies can cause similar behaviour, so the underlying cause needs to be identified.

How do I know if my dog has a yeast infection on their paws?

Possible signs of yeast infection include red or inflamed skin, persistent licking, brown saliva staining, greasy skin and a noticeable musty, cheesy smell. Yeast can develop secondary to allergies or damaged skin, so treating the infection alone may not solve the underlying problem.

Why does my dog’s paw smell?

A strong or unusual smell can be associated with bacterial or yeast overgrowth, particularly when the paw is also red, moist or itchy. An unpleasant smell from an itchy paw is a good reason to have your dog examined by a veterinarian.

Why is my dog licking only one paw?

Sudden licking of one paw is more suggestive of a local problem such as a grass seed, splinter, cut, broken nail, insect sting or pain. Carefully inspect between the toes, around the pads and each nail. Seek veterinary help if the licking persists or the paw is painful or swollen.

Should I stop my dog from licking their paws?

Repeated licking can worsen inflammation and damage the skin, so excessive licking should not simply be ignored. Use an e.collar or socks to stop licking prior to a vet visit. Remember, preventing licking may temporarily protect the skin, but it does not treat the underlying cause. The reason for the itching or pain still needs to be identified.

Can I treat my dog’s itchy paws at home?

You can start by checking between the toes, pads and nails and noting whether one or several paws are affected. Avoid repeatedly trying home remedies without knowing the cause. Using a medicated wash such as chlorhexidine or iodine can help reduce infection and pain. Persistent, painful, smelly, swollen or damaged paws should be assessed by a veterinarian.

When should I take my dog to the vet for paw licking?

See a veterinarian if the licking is persistent, severe or getting worse, or if you notice redness, swelling, discharge, smell, bleeding, broken nails, sores or limping. Seek help promptly if your dog is scratching or chewing enough to damage the skin or develops a rapidly spreading hot spot.

What should I tell my vet about my dog’s itchy paws?

Tell your vet when the licking started, which paws are affected, whether the problem is seasonal, what other areas are itchy, what your dog eats, what parasite prevention they receive and which treatments you have already tried. Photos and notes showing how the problem changes over time will be very useful.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]