Mary Allen
You can be sure that if your dog licks its paws many times, then something is wrong. It can be due to various allergies or other medical conditions, as well as stress.
The first thing to say is that if your dog only licks its paws from time to time, there is usually nothing to worry about. On the contrary: it is part of the normal behavior of the dog. For example, many dogs use this to wash their paws after walking outdoors or before taking a nap. However, it looks different when paw licking becomes compulsive.
Then there may be a medical reason behind it. For example, a paw may be bruised. But nervousness can also cause your dog to constantly work hard with his tongue or chew on his paws.
The following circumstances can trigger licking:
- Allergies
- Paw injuries
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Anxiety and stress
Dogs Can Lick Their Paws for a Variety of Reasons
“There are many reasons why dogs lick their paws,” explains veterinarian Dr. Alex Blutinger. “But one of the most common is allergies.” It can be allergic to environmental influences, as well as food, fleas, or ticks. Even everyday items like plastic food bowls can cause allergies.
Or maybe the paw is bruised. For example, from burns from walking on hot asphalt, from irritation from roads strewn in winter, from splinters, broken nails, insect bites, injuries to bones or ligaments. Therefore, it is always a good idea to take a close look at your dog’s paws first if he continues to lick them.
Is your dog particularly sensitive? Or maybe he’s just scared and nervous when he licks his paws. Try to find out in what situations your four-legged friend affects the paws in this way – maybe you can find the cause of his stress and can avoid it in the future.
Should Your Dog See a Veterinarian?
In addition, certain gastrointestinal problems such as pancreatitis and imbalanced hormone levels can also cause licking. Regardless of which of these reasons you suspect your four-legged friend is licking their paws: it’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about this. He can confirm your suspicions – or find another reason – and give advice on how to eliminate possible destructive factors.