Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws? Vets Explain Causes, Treatments and Preventives

Living with a dog means dealing often with poorly timed, incessant paw licking. Our pups specifically choose to partake in this noisy activity when we’re trying to sleep or focus in an otherwise completely quiet atmosphere. Try not to get too frustrated with Fido, though, because often your dog is licking their paws for a reason. The good news is that it’s something you can help get them some relief from! We asked veterinarians to explain some of the reasons dogs lick their paws, and what you can do to minimize the behavior.

Why do dogs lick their paws?

There are quite a few distinct reasons a dog might excessively lick their paws. While some of these reasons are behavioral, such as anxiety or boredom, dog paws are just as sensitive as our human feet, so the underlying causes of licking are usually related to paw irritations.

Skin growths

A less obvious irritant on your dog’s paw might be a skin growth hiding under their paw pads, fur and between their toes. One of the most common agents here is interdigital cysts (also known as follicular cysts or furuncles). These are inflamed bumps or nodules found between the dog’s toes, which develop as a reaction to inflamed hair follicles between the toes. They’re painful and itchy, and they can rupture and leak clear or blood-tinged fluid. An infected cyst will leak cream-colored fluid.

These cysts can be products of allergy-induced paw inflammation triggered by pollen, mites, molds, fleas, and dietary proteins. An abnormal amount of friction between a dog’s toes can cause inflammation of the hair follicles as well. This is more likely to occur for large-breed dogs with short or coarse hair, such as pit bull terriers, bulldogs, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers; dogs who experience abnormal trauma to their feet from rough ground or cage surfaces; overweight dogs who put excessive pressure on their paws; dogs with arthritis or other pain that causes them to chronically shift their weight, creating abnormal friction between their toes; and dogs with large, webbed paws or deep pockets between their toes.

Foreign objects

Your dog might be biting or licking their paw to remove an embedded foreign object. This could include blades of grass, snow, dirt and debris, rocks and pebbles, thorns, a shard of glass, plastic, wood or another material. Burs (prickly seeds from plants and weeds) are also potential antagonists, and some can be dangerous. Foxtail seeds, for example, can be very harmful and lead to infections. Once they enter the dog’s body, they don’t break down, and if they reach vital organs, they can be fatal.

Paw trauma

Your poor pup might have suffered a paw injury, such as broken nails or bones, burned, torn or cracked paw pads. These issues can be caused by walking on hot pavement, running or walking for extended periods on hard and rough surfaces, or contact with a chemical substance like ice melt. Foreign objects can also leave cuts and lacerations. Some dogs also may be predisposed to autoimmune issues that cause them to have naturally calloused paw pads. This includes hyperkeratosis , which promotes overproduction of keratin leading to thickening and drying of paw pads. Pemphigus foliaceous , the most common autoimmune disease in dogs, often results in lesions, crust and erosion on the footpads.

“A close inspection of the affected paw is warranted to note whether a foreign body or other painful condition might be present,” says Julie Hunt, DVM , Veterinarian with Embrace Pet Insurance. “Trauma and pain often affects just one foot, although there can be exceptions, such as burns on the paw pads.”

Skin diseases and allergies

The most common reason for itchy skin is allergies, which can be developed by the environment (inhaled allergens), nutrition ingredients and most commonly parasite infestations from fleas, ticks and mites where bites can lead to skin swelling and irritation. Skin infections can stem from parasites, bacteria, fungi or yeast, and dermatitis is a common side effect.

“When caused by allergies, paw licking may or may not be accompanied by brown staining (salivary staining) on the paws, scratching or licking elsewhere on the body, hair loss, self-inflicted scratches or damage to the skin, and/or redness, swelling, and foul odor in between the toes,” says Dr. Hunt. “Generally allergic dogs will lick both front feet and possibly all four feet.”

Related: Pet Itch Relief: Find out What Causes Itchiness in Your Pets and How to Find a Solution

When is a dog licking their paws cause for concern?

A dog licking their paws for basic grooming purposes is normal and not cause for concern. However, excessive paw-licking can lead to many other health problems.

If the behavior is frequent, causing changes to the skin or fur such as discoloration, or the dog is so focused on licking or chewing at its paws that it interferes with their usual routine, habits, and behaviors, this suggests the dog likely needs to see the vet to determine the underlying cause, explains Shannon Cabell, DVM , Consumer Medical Lead for Dermatology at pet care company Zoetis.If paw chewing is minor and brief, and you can easily distract your dog away from doing it, then it’s likely a small concern, says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein , Veterinary Medical Advisor for Rover. If you notice redness or sores, additional signs of itch, ear infections, tummy upset, or overall malaise, if multiple pets in the house (or you) are affected by constant gnawing, Dr. Greenstein suggests seeking veterinary attention.

What health issues can paw-licking lead to?

“Excessive licking and chewing creates irritation, which only drives dogs to chew and lick more,” says Dr. Greenstein. “This repeated self-trauma can break the skin, leading to sores and secondary infections.”

How to stop a dog from excessively lick their paws

There are plenty of options you can try to deter your dog from licking their paws so much, and it depends on the reason behind their licking. In the case of allergies triggered or exacerbated by fleas, Dr. Hunt says, making sure the dog is getting high-quality flea preventative treatment consistently is critical. If environmental allergies are causing the licking, wiping down all four of an allergic dog’s paws and wiping down their muzzle with a wet cloth every time the dog comes in from outside can be helpful.

Related: Dogs Can Take Some Common Allergy Medications: Vets Share Everything You Need to Know

“Additionally, protecting the dog’s paws can also decrease the chance of the dog’s paw getting injured, which may lead to paw chewing,” Dr. Cabell says. “Be careful when you take dogs hiking, playing, or walking on rough surfaces and make sure the surfaces are clear for a dog to walk on them. Asphalt can get very hot during the warmer months so try not to walk dogs outside for long times during the hottest times of the day. You can protect a dog’s paws from injury by using booties or applying a wax/balm to the paws (if the dog will tolerate these items). For very furry dogs, have the fur around the dog’s paw pad trimmed regularly so they have more traction on slippery surfaces and you can check the paw pad more easily.”

A cone is a quick and inexpensive band-aid solution that vets strongly recommend as a starting point, Dr. Greenstein says. She adds that dog parents can try booties, socks and bandages to prevent licking or chewing, but it is imperative to supervise your dog if you use any of these products as they might try to ingest them. Bitter apple and other commercially available deterrent sprays can be helpful for some patients to discourage self-trauma, she says.

Keep reading for more expert insights on dogs licking!

Why Does My Dog Lick Me When I Pet Her? Animal Experts Share the Surprising Reasons

Why Does My Dog Lick My Feet? Vets Share the Reasons Behind the Quirky Behavior