Mary Allen
It’s perfectly normal for a dog to lick its paws, but if it’s happening too often, there must be a problem. A dog that constantly licks or chews its paws may be showing signs of infection, allergies, or even boredom.
Paws are very delicate and even the slightest infection can cause them to split open and cause a lot of discomforts. In addition to their noses, dogs also sweat on the undersides of their feet. This creates conditions that allow bacteria and bugs to thrive and cause paw itching.
Aside from being annoying, licking the paws can infect the dog with diseases picked up while running. Luckily, you can easily kick this habit at home using simple, affordable, and non-toxic remedies. Alternatively, if you’re in a hurry, consider a skin balm that’s specially formulated for dogs.
HOW TO TELL IF IT’S A PROBLEM?
So it could be that your dog is just grooming himself and needs a little more time to groom his paws. However, if this is happening multiple times a day for more than 3 to 5 minutes at a time, your dog is likely in discomfort and should be checked out.
There are only two reasons a dog SHOULD lick or chew its paws.
- To clean them
- To remove jammed debris
If you suspect your dog is doing this for some other reason, it’s your job as a responsible dog owner to get to the bottom of it and find out why!
HOME REMEDIES TO STOP LICKING
If your dog is excessively licking or chewing their paws for a reason other than the two above, you’re probably wondering what to put on their paws to stop the licking, but putting something on their paws is only a temporary fix. It’s important to get to the root of the cause, not just put a band-aid on it.
In this post, we are going to talk about 8 home remedies that can make your dog stop licking their paws. However, if you’re not sure why your dog is excessively licking or biting its paws, be sure to read our article explaining the possible reasons for your dog’s habit.
Also, keep in mind that in some cases none of these remedies will work. If your dog is in severe pain or uncomfortable, he will lick his paws no matter what you put on the paws.
Note: Do not try all of these remedies at once. Pick one and wait a few hours to see if that fixes the problem. If not, try another one the next day. Knowing which remedy solved the problem will give you a good idea of what the cause is, so you’ll know how to prevent it in the future.
SOAK PAWS IN VINEGAR
Vinegar can cure many dog ailments, including those of the paws. Vinegar is diluted acetic acid, which is very effective at killing bacteria, but at the same time, it’s not corrosive to the dog. Fungi are also a major cause of paw infections, which can cause your dog to chew their paws. Vinegar has a lot of anti-fungal properties that stop such infections.
Simply mix two cups of warm water and one cup of vinegar in a bowl and soak the dog’s paws in the water for five minutes. Repeat this twice a day for a week or until the dog stops licking his paw.
VERY IMPORTANT: Do not do this if you have any cuts in this area. This will burn and cause your dog even more pain.
SOAK THE PAWS IN WATER MIXED WITH BAKING SODA
Baking soda has many uses in and out of the kitchen, including treating itchy dog skin and paws. It has loads of anti-inflammatory properties that reduce itching and swelling.
A dog steps on many things when running, which can increase the acidity of the paws and cause itching. Baking soda has a low PH level that helps neutralize this acidity and reduce itching.
Make a paste out of a spoonful of baking soda, apply to paws and wash off after a few hours. Baking soda is readily available and will not harm the dog.
SOAK PAWS IN IODINE
When your dog runs, he gets a lot of small bruises on his paws. Germs and fungi can take this opportunity and get into your dog’s paws and cause itching. Iodine has antibacterial and antifungal properties that disinfect paws and stop itching.
You can soak a sponge with some iodine and then gently wipe the paws with the sponge. You can also mix some iodine and warm water and soak the paws for five minutes.
USE VITAMIN E CAPSULES
A lack of vitamin E in dogs causes the dog’s skin and paws to dry out. This can cause your dog’s skin and paws to become itchy, leading your dog to scratch and lick its paws regularly. The antioxidant properties of vitamin E help eliminate toxins from cells and help heal dry skin and paws.
In addition, this vitamin E is good for your dog’s heart and liver and improves the dog’s immune system. You simply extract some oil from the capsules and apply it to your dog’s paws until the paws stop drying out and cracking.
USE SOME EPSOM SALT
As previously mentioned, dog paw injuries are very common. Bacteria can attack these sores and cause itching. Epsom salt has antibacterial properties that help sanitize dog paws and relieve itching.
Dilute some Epsom salts in warm water and soak the paws in the solution for a few minutes and then wipe them off. Repeat this process until you get the desired result. Don’t let your dog drink the water, however, as it can cause an upset stomach.
APPLY SOME HONEY TO THE PAWS
Honey has many properties that are useful for a dog. Honey moisturizes and softens dry paws, helping to soothe itchy paws. Honey is a good antioxidant that helps remove toxins from cells and promotes new cell regeneration. It has antibacterial properties that kill bacteria and keep paw infections at bay.
Honey also helps treat various types of allergies, including those that cause paw itch. Simply apply raw honey to the paws or mix it with vinegar or baking soda for better results.
WASH THE DOG WITH CHAMOMILE
Aside from being used by us to relieve stress, chamomile has a lot of properties that are extremely beneficial for dogs. Its antibacterial properties help disinfect injured paws while helping to relieve itching and inflammation. Chamomile has antioxidant properties that promote the removal of toxins from cells.
Chamomile can be mixed with vinegar and used to soak the dog’s paws. It can also be mixed into the dog’s food.