According to the official reports from the Economic Times, in the United States, people are very caring about pet dogs and puppies. In this region, nearly 45.5% of the households own a dog. Which means around 59.8 million dog-walking households are living in this big country with an average of 1.5 dogs per household. So if you have a pet dog and he/she is very obsessed with licking his/her paws and you become very panic for this situation then it very crucial to know is paw licking even normal for a dog?, what are the real reasons behind it, what are the consequences of excessive paw licking, and how to fix it?
5 real reasons your dog is licking their paws and how to fix them?
Licking his/her paws is a very common and fair behaviour of your pet dog. But a question lingers in the mind of a third of the people living in America: Is paw licking even normal for a pet dog? So let’s be honest, excessive paw licking is not a very serious problem for your puppy. So, therefore, you have to find out what is exactly going on, how to fix it, and how to give your furry friend relief in this situation.
1) skin and other allergies
Just like human beings, dogs also get allergies. So, excessive skin allergies can cause itching or irritation of the paw pads, leading your pet dog to lick his paws to get relief. There are multiple reasons, like food allergies, dust allergies, and drug allergies, that are mostly known to cause paw itching.
How to fix?
In this case, you have to find out which kind of food can cause your dog severe skin allergies; giving chicken to your dog as food can cause allergies. Also, you have to keep your house dust-free.
Wipe paws after walks: use hypoallergenic baby wipes.
Switch proteins: try salmon and duck meat in the diet plan of your dog. Ask your vet about the Apoquel medicine. Apoquel is one of the best medicines for your pet dog to get relief from excessive skin allergies.
Use floor cleaners and home cleaners as the doctor’s advice: usually, home cleaners and floor cleaners are made with multiple dangerous chemicals, so if your pet dog licks them, it can cause severe allergies.
Coconut oil massage: Rub coconut oil on the paws of your pet dog because it is a game-changer for your dog to get relief from skin allergies. wash bedding and other useful things of your dog with fragrance-free detergent.
2) anxiety and stress problems:
In many cases, there are no health problems or concerns that cause this situation. Because some reputed medical research papers say excessive levels of fear, loneliness, anxiety, or stress are the main problems behind your pet dog’s licking his/her paws. To avoid those situations, those paws become a stress reliever for every dog.
How to fix?
more playtime: you have to take some time out of your daily routine and spend that time with your pet dog by playing with her/him.
Reassure your buddy: there are multiple problems, like fear of loneliness, and the thunderstorms can give your dog anxiety. So in those situations, you have to give your pet dog a tight hug and an excessive level of affection to fix his/her nervousness.
dog walk: daily, take your dog for a walk in nature or a park in your free time. Therefore, you can make a great Bond with your furry friend and make him stress-free.
3) hidden injuries:
In most cases, multiple hidden injuries like a thorn, cracked nail, bee sting, swelling, cuts, and bleeding lead your pet dog to lick his/her paws.
How to fix?
Find out the wounded place: You have to find out the wounded places of your pet dog and apply the prescribed medicines as soon as possible in those places.
Limping or favoring one paw: If your buddy is walking with one or two paws, then you have to understand that he or she has a problem with the other paws. In this case, you have to take your pet dog to your nearest pet hospital as soon as possible.
4) parasites
Multiple internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, heartworms, and external parasites like fleas, ticks, lice, mites, or mange can make the paws of your dog very itchy and infected. Giardia, Coccidian, and ear mites are also common in this parasite list.
How to fix?
Make an appointment with a reputable veterinarian: you have to take your dog to a reputable veterinarian who can suggest or recommend treatments to eliminate those parasites, which should give relief to your dog from excessive itching.
Regular grooming: You have to groom your dog regularly to find out about fleas, ticks, lice, mites, or mange and remove them.
outdoor precautions: if you want to take your dog for a walk, then you have to avoid those areas with high tick and flea populations.
Proper sanitization and hygiene are maintenance: you have to clean your pets’ living area regularly to minimise parasite contamination. Also, clean your home daily to make it parasite-free.
daily bath: wash every body part of your pet dog with prescribed soaps and shampoos.
5) arthritis
Like human beings, arthritis is also a common condition in older dogs. In a few cases, arthritis becomes a great problem for puppies, too. Not only does it affect the large joints like hips and legs, but also the toes and paws. This disease becomes very dangerous for your pet dog when joint cartilage breaks down, leading to pain and inflammation. On the other hand, severe arthritis can affect the paws or limbs of your dog. So in this case, it is very difficult to use these limbs or paws for walking.
How to fix?
Room Modification: You have to modify your room or home very sincerely, like placing rugs on slippery floors and providing orthopedic beds to make it easier for your dog.
Veterinarian-approved diet: Ask your Veterinarian about the best supplements and diet plans for your pet dog to make her or his joints healthy. In this case, Glucosamine will be the perfect supplement for your buddy.
weight management: Heavy or excessive weight can cause arthritis problems for your dog. Also, being overweight can put a massive amount of load and stress on the joints of a dog when he or she is walking. In this situation, it is very important to check the weight of your pet dog monthly.
The doctor recommended exercise and physical therapy: ask a renowned Veterinarian about the best exercise and physical therapies for your furry friend to give him/her relief on the joints.
Pros and Cons of Dogs Licking Their Paws
Pros:
- Natural grooming behavior: Occasional licking helps dogs clean their paws and remove dirt or debris.
- Can indicate a problem early: Frequent licking may signal health issues, helping owners act early.
- Soothing for dogs: Some dogs lick their paws to self-soothe when they feel stressed or bored.
Cons:
- Excessive licking can lead to wounds or infections: Constant licking can break the skin, causing hot spots or bacterial infections.
- May signal allergies, pain, or anxiety: It’s often a symptom of an underlying health issue.
- Can become a compulsive habit: Without treatment, some dogs develop obsessive licking that’s hard to stop.
Is it normal for dogs to lick their paws?
Yes, occasional paw licking is normal. Dogs groom themselves this way. However, excessive licking may indicate a problem like allergies, pain, or anxiety.
Can allergies cause dogs to lick their paws a lot?
Absolutely. Environmental or food allergies are one of the most common reasons for constant paw licking in dogs.
When should I be worried about my dog licking its paws?
If your dog licks its paws excessively, causing redness, swelling, or sores, it’s best to consult a vet. It could be due to injury, infection, or underlying health issues.
How can I stop my dog from licking its paws?
First, identify the cause, like fleas, allergies, or stress. Treatment can include medication, paw balm, changes in diet, or behavior training.
Can stress or boredom make dogs lick their paws?
Yes. Dogs often lick their paws when they’re anxious, bored, or not mentally stimulated. Regular exercise and mental engagement can help reduce this behavior.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you may already be familiar with all the reasons behind why your dog’s licking their paws and how easily you can fix it. These provided documents are totally based on some reputed medical research papers and news reports.
So, as soon as you follow these tips, it is also very important to get an appointment with your veterinarian to address or figure out the main reasons why your dog is licking his paws. Because a renowned veterinarian can recommend or prescribe topical anti-itch sprays, steroids to reduce inflammation, antibiotics for a bacterial infection, and proper therapies or treatments to make your pet dog parasite-free.