Why does my dog keep licking his paws

Dogs may lick their paws for a variety of reasons, including normal grooming, allergies, injuries, and behavioural issues like boredom or anxiety.

Occasional paw licking is normal for self-grooming, but excessive or aggressive licking could indicate a problem.

Here's why it happens:

1. Grooming and Self-Soothing:

Dogs lick their paws to clean themselves, similar to cats.

They may lick between their toes or pads after walks to remove dirt and debris.

Some dogs lick to calm themselves down or self-soothe.

2. Allergies:

Food or environmental allergies can cause itchy skin, leading to excessive paw licking. We see a lot of patients with allergies, and at Battersea Square Vets we are experienced in helping find the cause and look for the best treatments.

Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, certain foods, and flea bites.

Allergies can cause inflammation and discomfort, prompting dogs to lick their paws as a way to relieve the itch. You may notice their fur changing colour where the licking has been repeated over several weeks or months.

3. Injuries and Pain:

Injuries like cuts, thorns, or broken nails can cause discomfort and lead to paw licking.

Arthritis or other foot or leg conditions can also cause pain and result in excessive licking.

A dog might lick a specific paw more frequently if it's injured or painful.

4. Behavioural Issues:

Boredom or anxiety can trigger paw licking as a coping mechanism.

Dogs with separation anxiety or stress may lick their paws to self-soothe.

5. Other Potential Causes:

Dry skin can cause itching and lead to licking.

Parasites like fleas or ticks can cause skin irritation and make a dog lick their paws.

Bacterial or yeast infections can also cause paw licking.

When to Seek Veterinary Advice:

If your dog's paw licking is excessive, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like redness, swelling, or limping, it's best to consult your vet.

Your vet can help determine the underlying cause of the paw licking - which many have an underlying health cause.