Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws?

Dogs lick their paws for many reasons. Some dogs lick their paws on a daily basis to keep them clean, but if your dog is licking their paws constantly or aggressively, it may be a sign of a problem, such as an injury or infection. If you see your dog frequently licking their paws, it’s time to take some action. Learn about paw licking in dogs and how to react appropriately.

Why Dogs Lick Their Paws

Dogs may occasionally lick their paws as a part of self-grooming. Even dogs that don’t do a lot of self-grooming will occasionally clean their paws. If you only notice your dog licking their paws every once in a while, there’s probably nothing to worry about.

It’s not normal if your dog seems to be licking their paws frequently or aggressively. This is usually a sign of a health problem or a behavior issue. If you think your dog’s paw licking is abnormal, the first step is to determine if there is a health problem with the paws. Dogs often lick their paws excessively if they are itchy, irritated, or painful—just like they tend to lick their wounds.

Injuries

A paw injury or foreign object may explain sudden paw licking.¹ The dog may have stepped on something that causes discomfort, like a sharp object, hot pavement, or ice melt. Or, they could have been stung or bitten by an insect or another animal. There may even be an object or substance stuck to the paws, and the dog needs help removing it. Foreign objects like splinters or grass awns can get embedded in the paws and cause irritation.

Growths

Another possibility is that your dog has an abnormal growth on one of the paws, such as a cyst or a tumor.² Or, your dog may have arthritis or an injury to the soft tissue or bones of the paw. The latter may not be something you can see with the naked eye.

If your dog is focusing on one paw more than the others, then it’s more likely a paw injury, foreign object, or growth. You may also notice that your dog is limping. However, these problems can easily affect more than one paw at a time.

Allergies

A very common cause of licking paws is allergies in dogs. Allergies often cause itching or irritation of the paw pads, leading dogs to lick their paws for relief. Many dogs have allergies that make their paws itch. Food allergies and environmental allergies are especially known to cause paw itching.³

Infections

It’s not uncommon for dogs to develop bacterial or fungal/yeast infections of the paws, which means they need a trip to the veterinarian. These infections may occur secondary to allergies or for unknown reasons. When a dog frequently licks their paws, they stay damp and are more susceptible to bacteria and yeast.¹

External parasitic infections like fleas, mange, or hookworms also tend to make the paws very itchy, leading to excessive licking.³

Behavioral Concerns

If there are no health concerns causing paw problems, your dog’s paw licking may have behavioral reasons, though these are far less common. It may be as simple as boredom. Or, it could be a sign of stress, fear, or anxiety.⁴

The licking might have started due to boredom and then developed into a habit that has become relaxing or satisfying for your dog. In severe cases, dogs may have compulsive tendencies that lead them to obsessively lick their paws.

What To Do If Your Dog Is Licking Their Paws

If it feels like your dog is constantly licking their paws, start by taking a closer look. Inspect the tops and bottoms of the feet, the toenails and nail beds, and the spaces in between the digits. Look for foreign objects, cuts, bruises, bleeding, swelling, redness, crusting, scabs, discharge, broken nails, foul odor, and anything else that seems abnormal. Administer first aid if necessary. Consider using a groomer-approved dog paw cleaner for regular paw care.

Note that excessive licking often causes saliva stains on the hair around the paws. This rust-colored staining is easiest to see where the hair is a light color. If you notice staining, it’s a sign your dog is licking their paws frequently.

If your dog licks their paws excessively, it’s important to contact your veterinarian whether or not the paws look abnormal to you. Your vet needs to rule out health problems before you start trying to address a behavior issue.

Treatment for Paw Licking

Your veterinarian will examine your dog and discuss your dog’s history, and treatment recommendations will be made based on the diagnosis. Your vet may recommend medicated foot soaks, sprays, or other topicals to treat irritation or infections. Oral antibiotics may be necessary to treat any bacterial infections present. If there is a yeast infection, antifungal drugs may be prescribed. And if a growth or foreign body is found, surgery may be necessary to remove it and repair the damage.

If your dog has a problem that requires advanced testing or treatment, your vet may refer you to a specialist, like a veterinary dermatologist or a veterinary surgeon. If there is no physical reason for your dog to lick their paws excessively, then there’s a chance your dog has developed a behavior issue.

Home Remedies for Paw Licking

Some home remedies may be appropriate for irritated or itchy paws, but always ask your veterinarian for advice first. Treating the paws at home can actually make some issues worse.

• Dry or cracked paws: Apply coconut oil or paw balm to soothe and soften the paws.
• Yeast infections: Mix a solution of three parts water to one part white or apple cider vinegar in a tub. Soak the paws for about 10 minutes. Rinse and dry the paws well.
• Itchy paws: Grind up plain oats into a powder and mix with warm water. Soak the paws for about 10 minutes in a tub, then rinse and dry them well.

Behavioral Solutions

If all health concerns have been ruled out, your vet may suggest that it’s a behavioral issue. A simple way to address behavioral paw licking is to distract your dog. Take them for more walks, play with them more often, and offer them toys to hold their focus. Don’t scold them for licking, but don’t reward them with treats either. Puzzle toys and food-dispensing toys are great distractions that require dogs to “work” for their food.

If these methods are unsuccessful, consider a recheck with the veterinarian to look into other causes or treatments. If the licking continues and no health concerns are found, consider behavior modification techniques to help your dog. Consult a dog trainer or behaviorist for help.

Tips

• Behavioral modification to stop paw licking and chewing takes time, patience, and consistency.
• Consider a bitter-tasting topical product that is pet-safe to discourage licking. If this does not work, a physical restraint like a cone may be necessary.
• If additional behavior help is needed, consider working with a dog trainer, animal behaviorist, or veterinary behaviorist.

How to Prevent Paw Licking in Dogs

Keeping the feet and skin healthy is the best way to keep your dog from licking their paws in the first place. Keep the nails trimmed short and bathe your dog as needed. Inspect the paws regularly, especially after your dog has been outdoors.

Avoid walking your dog in very hot or cold weather. You may also wish to try some products that protect your dog’s paws from extreme conditions, such as dog boots or paw balms.

As always, see your veterinarian for routine wellness check-ups. Between visits, be sure to contact your vet at the first sign of paw-licking.