Why is your dog licking his paw?

Does your dog lick his paw a lot? This can have a variety of causes, from completely innocent to serious. Your dog may simply be licking his paw because he is itching or wants to clean a wound, but licking can also be caused by stress, pain or an allergy. It is therefore good to know what possible causes are, what to look out for when your dog licks and bites a paw and when to take actions.

 

Why is your dog licking his paw?

There are several reasons why your dog may (excessively) lick or bite his paw or paws. Some causes are harmless, others less so and require action. Below, we take a closer look at the main reasons why your dog may lick his paws excessively.

1. Your dog has itching

The most common and most innocent reason a dog licks or bites its paw is because it is itching. Itching can have a variety of causes. Consider loose hair, insect bites, allergies and skin irritation. Itching can be very innocent, but it can also be a symptom of a less innocent underlying cause such as an allergy or infection.

2. Your dog has pain, an injury or a wound

If your dog licks a lot on a specific paw, there is probably something going on with that one paw. Consider a wound or injury to that paw. In addition, an underlying condition can also cause your dog to lick multiple paws because he is experiencing pain. Consider, for example, joint pain due to osteoarthritis, causing your dog to experience discomfort on his paws.

In the spring, you frequently see a dog experience pain in a paw due to a grass catar. A grass ear has barbs with which it crawls deeper into the skin, and can cause a nasty infection. Therefore, always check carefully if there is a grass ear in your dog’s paw when he licks his paw a lot.

3. Your dog is bored

If your dog does not get enough physical and mental challenge, he may become bored. Boredom can lead to unwanted behaviors, including excessive licking or paw biting. So make sure you give your dog enough mental and physical challenge, too, by walking, training and playing.

4. Your dog is suffering from stress or anxiety

Licking the paws can be a way for a dog to calm himself when he is experiencing anxiety or stress. If this occurs regularly, it is important to find out what is causing stress or anxiety in your dog. When you know what is causing your dog stress, you can either reduce the stimulus or, through training, make your dog less anxious. Is your dog suffering from stress or anxiety, and you don’t know how to fix it? Then consult a veterinarian.

5. Your dog suffers from allergies

When your dog licks his paw, it may also be due to an allergy. An allergy can cause a dog to bite, scratch and thus lick its paw. There are different types of allergies that dogs can suffer from.

🐾 Environmental allergy (atopy)

Environmental allergy is when a dog has an allergy to substances it breathes, for example pollen, dust mites or molds. In this case, try to avoid the stimuli that cause the allergic reaction if possible, and possibly support with a natural supplement that contributes to normal histamine release.

🐾 Flea allergy

A flea allergy causes itching of the back and groin, but in severe cases can also cause itching of the paws.

🐾 Food allergy

A dog can be allergic to certain ingredients in food. In addition to gastrointestinal distress, this can manifest as rashes and itching all over the body.

6. Your dog suffers from fleas or ticks

Fleas and ticks can cause irritated skin and itching. Therefore, check your dog regularly for fleas and ticks and use a preventative against parasites if necessary.

7. Your dog’s intestines are troubled

Disturbed intestinal flora can also cause your dog to lick his paw excessively. In fact, intestinal problems can cause itching in dogs. If, in addition to licking his paws, your dog also eats grass, chances are that this is due to an upset in the intestines. The intestinal flora can become unbalanced due to such things as medication, illness, changes of food and giving the wrong food. To support your dog’s intestinal flora and bring it back into balance, you can probiotics give.

8. Your dog is suffering from an infection

If a dog frequently licks its paws, an infection can develop between the toes. This is because the saliva provides a breeding ground for bacteria. This infection causes pain and itching, which your dog tries to relieve by licking. Licking “feeds” the infection, making the situation worse and worse and creating a vicious cycle.

 

Does your dog also have red paws?

Does your dog suddenly have red paws? The paws can become red and irritated from excessive licking and biting. Chances are, then, that the red paws are a result of licking and chewing. Therefore, the cause for the red paws is often the cause of the itching, as described above. Even if you do not see your dog licking his paws often, it could be that your dog does this, for example, at night.

 

What helps against paw licking in dogs?

Keep in mind that as soon as your dog licks or bites his paw this may be a one-time and innocent occurrence, but there may also be an underlying cause. Do you have the idea that there is more to the hand? Then first check if your dog has pain somewhere, for example by checking the paws for wounds, grass hairs or other sensitivities. If you cannot find a direct cause yourself, it is important to investigate further. It is wise to consult a veterinarian for this purpose. In addition, there are some general tips you can follow.

🌿 Is your dog experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety? Then start looking for what the factors are that trigger these emotions in your dog. Based on what these triggers are, you can work on this. In addition, you can support your dog from within with an supplement that contributes to relaxation.

🌿 Give your dog a probiotics to support gut flora naturally.

🌿 Have your dog examined by a veterinarian. By ruling out certain things, you will know better where to look to solve the excessive licking of the paws.

🌿 Does your dog suffer from an allergy? Then choose a supplement that contributes to normal histamine release and stimulates the skin’s natural healing ability.

🌿 Is your dog experiencing pain and discomfort in his paws due to his joints? If so, choose appropriate activities that do not overload the joints and possibly support with a Supplement that contributes to supple and healthy joints.