Dog Paw Licking

Dogs often lick, chew, and bite their paws if they suffer from injuries like sprains, strains or an injured foot pad. Anxious dogs, especially ones who have experienced separation anxiety, may chew their paws or ankle area. These dogs may chew or lick their paws when left alone or when exposed to a stressful situation such as a thunderstorm. Every dog has different fears or stress triggers however. Treating the dog’s anxiety with behavioral therapy or medication may stop it from licking and chewing its paws.

Dog paw licking and chewing may occur for a variety of reasons. Some common reasons are:

• The dog has some allergy and its paws are itchy. The allergy may be due to food, change in weather, or a new carpet.
• The dog may have dermatitis.
• The dog might have cut or scraped its paw pads.
• If dogs are under stress they may show symptoms like panting, salivating, diarrhea, excessive scratching, or licking of the paws.
• A broken nail may also cause dog paw licking.
• If the dog is bored of staying alone, it might chew its paws out of boredom.

If you do not notice any physical injury, then you can consult your vet for an accurate diagnosis. If your dog is stressed, think of the reasons for this stress, as this is the most common cause of problematic dog paw licking and chewing. Changes in the dog’s routine or environment can put it under stress. If you think your dog is feeling lonely you should take it out at least two to three times a day. A dog is a social animal and doesn’t like to be at home all the time.  It is important to rule out any medical reason for such behavior. If medical reasons are ruled out, the problem can be approached as a behavioral one. In some rare cases, foot licking starts due to some medical reason and then becomes habit or compulsive behavior.

If the feet are swollen, flaky, or crusty it may indicate inflammation or infection, due to bacterial, fungal, or parasitic sources, to be behind the dog paw licking and chewing. In some cases of dog paw licking, allergies could be the causative agent. If there is no noticeable injury or inflammation, it could be due to inhalant allergies which can cause dog arthritis, itching, and pain in the area without any visible infection on the foot. If you notice any lumps or bumps between the toes or footpads, they may be cysts or small abscesses that can occur and cause discomfort. Consult a vet when necessary. Once you know that there is no physical injury, you may have to change your dog’s lifestyle and make necessary adjustments. If you leave the problem unattended, it may worsen instead of resolving naturally.