Why is my dog licking his paws?

Key points

• A range of possible causes
• Diagnosis may be visual or based on lab work or response to medications
• Often a lifelong condition requiring management
• Prevention is possible for some causes

Common in

All dogs, but some breeds more severely affected

Symptoms & types

A dog licking his paws is a common sight, but it sometimes gets missed (or dismissed!) by owners. Excessive paw licking in dogs is usually down to irritation and it can cause a number of problems so should be diagnosed and treated rather than ignored.

Of course, if you see your dog licking his paws, it’s generally obvious what’s going on. But some dogs can be ‘sneaky lickers’ and you might not spot them paw licking! Other symptoms of excessive paw licking include wet feet or footprints, sore areas on the feet, or pink-orange fur if they have white feet. You might also see your dog chewing at his feet. While some people put this down to ‘chewing their fingernails’, chewing is a sign of foot irritation and should be investigated.

A dog licking his paws is a common sight, but it sometimes gets missed (or dismissed!) by owners.

Understanding the diagnostics

When you see your dog’s veterinarian, the first thing they will do is a head-to-toe clinical examination before examining each affected foot closely. They’ll also ask you about your dog’s history, including what parasite treatment your dog last had and when – so be prepared! Knowing these details can really help your vet to get to the bottom of the problem as quickly as possible. Other things you might need to tell your veterinarian include:

• How long your dog has been licking his paws
• What time of day your dog licks most
• Whether the licking is better at certain times of the year
• The diet your dog is on
• Whether your dog ever has vomiting or soft stools
• Whether any other pets have been affected
• What your dog’s routine is like

Next, your veterinarian may want to take samples. Although a blood test may be used, dog foot licking is often diagnosed using microscopy. Your veterinarian might take samples of your dog’s hair and skin to try to find evidence of parasites, bacteria, or other reasons for the irritation.

Often though, foot licking in dogs is diagnosed by response to treatment. This means your veterinarian might recommend trialling a treatment to see if your pet improves. If they do, the treatment may need to be adjusted in order to keep your dog free of discomfort and irritation.

When you see your dog’s veterinarian, the first thing they will do is a head-to-toe clinical examination before examining each affected foot closely.

Learning About The Causes

So, what are the causes of paw licking in dogs? Well, the most common cause is allergies, also known as atopy, or atopic dermatitis. In fact, paw licking (along with ear infections) is one of the classic signs of atopy that vets will look out for. This type of allergy may come and go with the seasons or be present year-round. Blood tests can help to diagnose it, but generally it’s best diagnosed by ruling out other causes.

Parasites are another common cause of canine foot licking. Mites can live on or under the skin, irritating it and causing your dog to lick in return. Harvest or chigger mites are an exceedingly itchy parasite that sometimes affects dog paws, and there’s also some internal parasites (worms) that burrow into your dog through the feet, causing irritation.

Just like environmental allergies, food allergies can also cause paw licking, although this isn’t the most common sign of a food allergy. Diagnosing food allergies can only be done through a properly planned food trial, which should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian.

Other irritants can also cause foot-licking, usually as a one-off. This may include cleaning materials, road salt, and other things your dog’s feet come into contact with. Luckily, once the culprit is identified it’s usually easy enough to prevent this type of paw licking.

Some dogs lick their paws for behavioural reasons, such as anxiety or boredom. And for some dogs, arthritis and joint pain can cause paw licking – this usually is just one foot, or both front or both hind feet. Irritating lumps and bumps can also cause licking, as can nail bed infections and foreign bodies such as grass seeds that have worked their way under the skin. Again, these usually affect only one foot.

The most common cause of paw licking are allergies, also known as atopy, or atopic dermatitis.

Best Treatment Options

Depending on the cause, paw licking in dogs has a number of treatments.

If an allergen or irritant is identified, avoiding that irritant is obviously important. For some allergies, like grass and weeds, avoidance is difficult, meaning your dog may need medication to keep their feet from getting too sore.

When parasites are the cause, anti-parasite treatments usually quickly solve the problem, although repeat treatments may be needed. Depending on the parasite you may also need to treat other animals in the house to ensure you’re getting on top of the problem.

In some cases, such as with a foreign body or a lump, surgery might be needed. Your veterinarian will talk this through with you.

If an allergen or irritant is identified, avoiding that irritant is obviously important.

Home Remedies and their Effectiveness

Unfortunately, no over-the-counter or home remedies are likely to work for paw licking in dogs. One of the reasons is that, with so many causes, it’s impossible to know which paw licking home remedy will be useful. Once your veterinarian has helped you make a diagnosis you can ask about home remedies. While many products are unreliable, there are some that might help for certain causes of paw irritation.

When to see a vet

It’s best to see a vet as soon as you notice your dog licking his paws. With all the possible causes, diagnosis is a team event, and getting your dog treated sooner rather than later can prevent licking from causing further problems.

Conclusion

While there are a lot of causes of dog paw licking, most of them can be treated. If you notice your dog’s feet looking sore, the fur looking orange-pink, or them chewing or licking their paws, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible.