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12 Reasons Why Dogs Lick Their Paws Constantly & Obsessively

Do you know why your dog licks his paws so much? Is there anything you can do about it?

Do you know why your dog licks his paws so much? Is there anything you can do about it?

Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Her Paws?

It is very frustrating to watch your dog incessantly and obsessively lick their paws, especially when they lose interest in everything else around them. So what does it mean when a dog licks or chews its paws all the time? While it's normal for dogs to groom their paws every now and then, too much licking is often indicative of an underlying problem.

There are specific reasons for this behavior, and it is up to you, as the owner, to try to figure out what the problem may be by reporting to your trusted veterinarian. If the behavior appears suddenly, continues for an extended period of time, or is accompanied by bleeding, swelling, limping, or odor, the best thing to do is to see a veterinarian immediately and have them quickly do the investigative work with the right diagnostic tools.

In this article, Dr. Ivana Crnec, a licensed veterinarian from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bitola at the University of St. Kliment Ohridski, discusses common causes of paw licking in dogs and outlines several strategies to stop the behavior and prevent it in the future.

Don't Let Paw Licking Get Out of Hand!

You don't want to let your dog's paw licking get out of hand. Sometimes, it can become an addicting habit that is difficult to eradicate.

Dogs who lick their paws excessively often develop swelling and stains on the fur of their feet (if they are light-colored). Sometimes, excessive licking may cause moisture to become trapped between the dog's toes, creating an ideal setting for an opportunistic infection.

Once inflammation or an infection sets in, a vicious cycle can form. Inflammation and infection can cause discomfort and itching, and this can cause your dog to lick their paws even more. Continued licking can further contaminate the area with bacteria and impair the healing process indefinitely.

Once you and/or your vet have identified the issue, you can address the underlying cause and stop your dog from constantly licking its paws.

In This Article

  • What Is Paw Licking in Dogs?
  • Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws? 12 Possible Reasons
  • Did You Know? The Gut Health Connection
  • What Should I Do if My Dog Is Licking Her Paws Excessively?
  • What Is the Treatment for Paw Licking in Dogs?
  • Table: Treatments and Home Remedies for Paw Licking
  • What Happens if Paw Licking Is Left Untreated?
  • How Can I Keep My Dog From Licking Their Paws?
12 reasons your dog licks his paws

12 reasons your dog licks his paws

What Is Paw Licking in Dogs?

Paw licking is a habit in which dogs use their tongues to remove dirt and debris trapped in their paw structures. Paw licking is followed by a strong release of endorphins, which keep dogs calm and secure.

Is Paw Licking Normal?

Yes, paw licking is normal in dogs. Moderate paw licking is expected dog behavior and a vital part of the self-grooming ritual. However, excessive paw licking, accompanied by other worrisome signs, indicates an underlying health issue and warrants veterinary attention.

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws? 12 Possible Reasons

Generally, the reasons dogs lick their paws are divided into two main categories: medical and behavioral. Dogs lick their paws due to allergies, local injuries, arthritis, dry skin, external parasites, tumors or cysts, and behavioral issues, such as boredom, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Medical Reasons for Paw Licking

  1. Atopic dermatitis
  2. Food allergies
  3. Environmental allergies
  4. Local irritation
  5. Osteoarthritis
  6. Dry skin issues
  7. External parasites
  8. Tumors
  9. Cysts

Behavioral Reasons for Paw Licking

  1. Boredom
  2. Stress/anxiety
  3. Canine OCD
Like humans, dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things in their environment. If your dog licks their paws after walking, the itching could be caused by pesticides in the grass or by a particular weed.

Like humans, dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things in their environment. If your dog licks their paws after walking, the itching could be caused by pesticides in the grass or by a particular weed.

1. Atopic Dermatitis

Allergies are one of the main reasons dogs lick their paws more than usual. Allergies make the skin itchy, and licking provides temporary relief. The most common allergy types triggering paw licking are atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and environmental allergies.

Atopic dermatitis is a unique allergy in which the allergens from the air enter through faulty skin pores, causing extreme itchiness and skin irritation.

2. Food Allergies

Food allergies occur when dogs are hypersensitive to proteins in some foods, such as beef, chicken, eggs, gluten, soy, and dairy.

3. Environmental Allergies

Environmental allergies are caused by airborne allergens like pollen, dust, dust mites, mold spores, mildew, feathers, and human or pet dander.

4. Local Irritation

If your dog starts licking their paws suddenly, it may be indicative of pain or irritation, especially if they are licking only one paw. If the licking is limited to one paw, the source of the trouble is likely right there on the paw.

Walking outside puts dogs in great danger of sustaining paw injuries—from burns to cuts:

  • Physical injuries like cuts and scrapes are prevalent and occur when the dog steps on a sharp object.
  • Another common injury is foreign objects. Splinters and plant materials, such as foxtails or grass awns, pierce the dog’s paw skin and become embedded between the toes, causing pain and irritation.
  • Paw burns in dogs are caused by hot pavements.
  • In winter, ice melts can trigger chemical burns on the paws.

If you do not see anything, don't ignore it. Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

If your dog suddenly starts licking a certain paw excessively, the pain in that area can be caused by almost anything, but common culprits include insect bites, thorns, small wounds, small pieces of embedded glass, broken nails, etc.

If your dog suddenly starts licking a certain paw excessively, the pain in that area can be caused by almost anything, but common culprits include insect bites, thorns, small wounds, small pieces of embedded glass, broken nails, etc.

5. Osteoarthritis

Dogs with osteoarthritis lick their paws due to referred pain. Referred pain indicates that the dog is unable to reach the painful joint and licks or even bites the paws closest to it.

Arthritis is prevalent among senior dogs, although it can occur in dogs of all ages. The condition manifests with pain and inflammation that limit the dog’s mobility and affect its quality of life. Dogs with arthritis are reluctant to use stairs, climb furniture, and need time to stand up from a sitting position. These signs, paired with paw licking, indicate arthritic changes.

6. Dry Skin Issues

Dogs sometimes develop dry skin. Common causes include excessive bathing that strips the skin’s natural oils and using human shampoos that are too harsh for the dog’s delicate skin.

Dry skin causes cracked and very painful paws in dogs. Excessive licking in dogs with cracked paws serves the purpose of pain relief.

Dogs with dry skin exhibit general skin changes such as irritation, poor coat quality, and flakes or dandruff, which is more striking in dark-coated dogs.

7. External Parasites

Fleas and ticks are the two most commonly reported external parasites that make dogs lick their paws. They cause severe itchiness and are uncomfortable. Dogs lick or bite their paws to get rid of the problematic fleas and ticks.

External parasites are more than a nuisance—they carry and transmit intestinal worms and infectious diseases. Fleas are also responsible for flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), a specific allergy to flea saliva. FAD is very itchy and aggravates the paw-licking problem.

8. Tumors

Abnormal paw growths, like tumors, trigger paw licking in dogs. The top two tumors of the paw are plasmocytoma and histiocytoma. Plasmocytomas are widespread in seniors and histiocytomas in puppies and young adult dogs. Both tumors are benign and look like solitary, hairless, and pink masses.

9. Cysts

Cysts develop between the toes and are commonly known as interdigital cysts. They appear as inflamed nodules and are very painful. Cysts are prone to rupturing and leaking fluids.

Sometimes, excessive licking can be a coping method for a dog that is understimulated.

Sometimes, excessive licking can be a coping method for a dog that is understimulated.

10. Boredom

Dogs licking their paws due to behavioral problems often show other signs and symptoms, such as changes in vocalization, mood swings, destructiveness (chewing, digging, and scratching), and urination or defecation around the house.

Boredom is likely in dogs lacking physical and mental stimulation. The issue is more common in working dog breeds like Collies and Pointers.

11. Stress/Anxiety

Stress is the anticipation of danger. Common causes of stress for dogs include noises, being left alone, meeting new people, and changes in daily routines.

12. Canine OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs occurs in conjunction with stress and makes the dog prone to repetitive behaviors, like frequent paw licking.