Free Itchy Dog Checklist for Paw Licking, Scratching & Skin Triggers
Is your dog constantly licking their paws, scratching or chewing their skin?
Itchy skin in dogs can have many causes, including allergies, fleas, mites, skin infection, food reactions, pain and sometimes stress related licking.
This free Itchy Dog Checklist helps you record the pattern before your vet visit, so you can give your vet clearer information about what is happening and when.
Itchy Dog
Checklist
Track the clues behind your dog’s itching
What does the Itchy Dog Checklist help you track?
The checklist gives you one place to record:
plus more....
Get Your Free Itchy Dog Checklist
By signing up you agree to receive evidence based pet health information from Dr Leigh Davidson and the team at Pet Matters by Your Vet Online. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Who Created This Guide:
Created by Dr Leigh Davidson BVSc, BApplSc
Dr Leigh Davidson is the founder of Your Vet Online and has more than 25 years of veterinary experience across general practice, emergency care and veterinary telehealth.
After years of helping dog owners with their itchy pets, Dr Leigh would like to help more of you to manage itchy skin. This checklist is designed to help owners of itchy dogs to organise useful information before speaking with their veterinarian or continuing with our itchy dog program.
It does not replace a veterinary examination or diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my dog constantly licking their paws?
Dogs may lick their paws because of allergies, infection, parasites, something stuck in the paw, pain or stress related behaviour. The pattern, timing and other symptoms help narrow down the cause.
Can itchy paws be caused by allergies?
Yes. Environmental allergies and food allergy can both contribute to itchy paws, but allergies are not the only cause.
Can yeast cause paw licking in dogs?
Yeast can overgrow on inflamed skin and make paws more itchy, red, greasy or smelly.
Why does my dog lick their paws more at night?
Some dogs lick more when they are resting and have fewer distractions. In others, evening licking may be linked with allergy, irritation, pain or a behavioural habit.
Can stress cause paw licking in dogs?
Yes. Stress can contribute to repetitive licking in some dogs, particularly if it happens during events such as thunderstorms, visitors, separation or changes in routine.
Should I stop my dog licking their paws?
Repeated licking can worsen skin inflammation and infection. The most important step is identifying and treating the underlying cause rather than simply stopping the licking.
What information should I give my vet about my dog’s itchy skin?
Your vet may want to know when the problem started, where your dog is itchy, whether it is seasonal, what your dog eats, what parasite control is used, what treatments have already been tried and whether there are any gut or behavioural signs.
© 2026, Your Vet Online Pty Ltd 2015-2026