Why does your dog lick its paw? This is when it indicates a problem

You might think it's a harmless habit or perhaps grooming, but paw licking can be a symptom of various health issues.

If your dog licks its paw more than usual, it always indicates a problem. The same goes for biting and chewing. Dr. Valentina Henao detailed what might be behind this behavior.

As the veterinarian points out, paw chewing and licking are often observed and are completely natural in most cases. However, if your pet suddenly spends a significant part of the day occupied with its paws, it indicates a problem with its paws. This is especially true if the behavior is so intense that even the owner cannot distract the dog. It’s also a cause for concern if the dog starts licking its paws vigorously after a walk; something likely happened during the walk. Let’s see what might have caused it!

1) Injury and pain

The most obvious reason is that something might be stuck between the dog’s toes or it has injured its paw. In such cases, the dog might be trying to remove the bothersome object (like a stone or stick) or tending to its wound. If it’s the former, help your dog; for minor wounds, treat them, and if necessary, consult your veterinarian. Sometimes, it’s not the paw but the claw that gets injured, which can break or even tear off. Your dog will likely signal this with whining and limping because it’s very painful. In such cases, medical attention will certainly be needed.

Apart from injuries, bites, dry paw pads, ingrown or overly long claws, and burns caused by hot asphalt on warm days can also trouble your dog. (Similarly, in winter, road salt and other chemicals can cause irritation. During both seasons, it might be wise to use summer or winter dog boots to prevent these issues.)

As Dr. Henao emphasizes, if an insect sting occurs, you need to check whether the stinger is still in the wound. (This can happen with bees.) If it is, it should be removed, and then the sting site should be treated.

2.) Flea or tick

Parasites can torment your dog, even on its legs. Ticks especially like to hide between the toes, where they are also hard to spot. Therefore, don’t forget to check this area after walks! Fleas can also bite the legs and paws, causing discomfort and itching that might lead to licking and chewing.

Protecting your pet against parasites is an important task all year round. Even with preventive measures, you should regularly check to ensure your dog isn’t infested. Because of ticks, it’s recommended to inspect your dog after every walk, and for longer-haired breeds, combing can help remove these dangerous insects before they burrow in. Fleas can be identified by small black dots in the fur, known as flea dirt. If you find flea dirt, it means there are fleas too!

3.) Allergies

One of the symptoms of a food allergy is itching, which can occur anywhere on the body. If you suspect that your pet may be sensitive to a particular food or ingredient, consult your veterinarian about the diagnostic process.

The most common allergens may include:

• foods such as chicken, pork, eggs, fish;
• seasonal allergens such as pollen and grasses;
• environmental factors, including detergents, rinses, chemicals that the dog may come into contact with (a washed bed can also cause irritation);
• flea bites can also trigger allergic skin symptoms.

4.) Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition in older dogs, but younger dogs can also be affected. Joint inflammation is painful and can affect not only the hips and legs but also the toes. The disease is progressive, meaning it continuously worsens over time, with the joint cartilage gradually breaking down, leading to pain, inflammation, and difficulty using the limbs. Limping, licking, and chewing are typical symptoms of this problem.

Details on recognizing and treating arthritis are covered in this article.

5.) Behavioural problems

Often, paw chewing is related to mental or emotional issues. These can include stress, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or boredom. If the veterinarian has ruled out health issues, it’s likely that the chronic behavior is due to one of these factors.

It’s worth reviewing your daily routine and examining what might be disturbing your pet and how you can address it. For example, if your dog is alone for long periods, loneliness or boredom could be causing stress. If you’re unable to identify the problem, consulting a behavior specialist may be helpful.

However, it is possible that after these health complaints, the behaviour will remain as usual for a while and the dog will lick its paws for some time.

Don’t let him do it!