Dogs are called a ‘man’s best friend’. Knowing that it’s our job to ensure they are well-fed, safe, and healthy. This article will focus on the grooming habits of dogs and attempt to answer ‘Why do dogs lick their paws excessively?’ Answering this question will result in a deeper bond with your furry companion, as excessive licking often is an indicator of behavioral problems, health issues, or discomfort.

Common Reasons Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws

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• Allergies: The most accepted answer to the question ‘Why do dogs lick their paws?’ is allergies, which can be divided into 4 main categories:

• Environmental Allergies: Skin irritation caused by sensitivity to grass, pollen, dust mites, or mold causes skin irritation, which dogs relieve by licking their paws.

• Food Allergies: Allergic reactions to certain foods such as grains, dairy, beef, or chicken can result in itchy skin, which the dogs relieve by licking their paws.

• Contact Allergies: Certain materials present in furniture, shampoos or cleaning products can trigger allergic reactions in dogs.

• Parasites: One more face to the answer to the question ‘Why do dogs lick their paws?’ is the presence of parasites in the form of mites, fleas, or ticks. These minuscule menaces cause extreme irritation and itching and often show up as an allergic reaction known as Flea allergy dermatitis, which like all other issues is relieved by the dogs by licking their paws.

• Infections: Dry paws caused by bacteria and infections making their home on dogs are also prevalent causes of dogs licking their paws. You can observe these bacterial infections in the form of foul odor, swelling, or redness.

• Wounds and Intrusive Objects: After returning home from a walk or playtime with your dogs make sure to check them carefully for any scrapes, wounds, or injuries. As dogs tend to step on sharp objects, rough surfaces, or debris, which they soothe themselves by licking their paws.

• Dry Skin: Like us, dogs also tend to get dry skin, especially in dry climates or winters. Flaky, dry skin leads to itching, which again is solved by the dogs licking their paws. Dry skin is also often caused by the absence of fatty acids in their diets, so hydrate yourself and your dogs by drinking water regularly.

• Behavioral Issues: Occasionally, the answer to the question ’Why do dogs lick their paws?’  lies in the dog’s temperament instead of any physical health issue. Triggers such as anxiety, stress, and boredom can end up in compulsive licking. Some usual of stress-related licking include:

• Separation Anxiety: Leaving dogs isolated for a long period develops trauma responses in dogs in the form of excessive licking as a coping mechanism.

• Boredom: Lack of physical exercise and mental stimulation often leads to paw licking.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Some learned behaviors or neurological factors in dogs show themselves in the form of excessive licking.

Repercussions of Excessive Paw Licking

Extreme paw licking if left unchecked results in several health complications in dogs such as:

• Hair Loss and Thickened Skin: Due to repetitive licking, dogs suffer from hair loss in the targeted area. This causes the skin to be calloused or thickened.

• Skin Infections: Excessive licking gives your dog open wounds which is an optimal environment for bacteria or fungi.

• Swelling and Pain: Constant licking causes paw pads to develop inflammation, making it hard for the dog to walk.

• Hot Spots: Hot Spots refer to moist, inflamed sores that grow due to excessive licking and are extremely painful.

When Should You Contact A Vet?

If you have any pets, it is your responsibility to be on the lookout for any signs, no matter how minor, to ensure your dog is healthy and fit. Here are some signs you can keep in mind to know when a professional intervention is needed:

1. Indicators of infections such as excessive warmth, pus, or foul odor.
2. Elevated levels of aggression and anxiety.
3. Difficulty walking and limping.
4. Obsessive licking that shows no signs of stopping even after applying home remedies.
5. Bleeding, swollen, or red paw pads.

How to Prevent Excessive Paw Licking:

Scoping out the main reasons for the question ‘Why do dogs lick their paws?’ gives you solutions that you can implement in your dog’s routine to provide some relief for them. Here are a few remedies that you can apply:

• Mitigate Infections: Bacteria often cause dogs to lick their paws. Consult your vet and identify the root allergen. Make changes in diets and environment accordingly. Some other solutions include: medicated shampoos, hypoallergenic diets, and allergy medications.

• Keep Those Paws Clean: As mentioned earlier, after returning from a walk wipe your dog’s paws with a dry cloth. Trim their paw hair to make sure they are not cracked or dry.

• Apply Protective Paw Balms: Moisturize your dog’s paws with dog-friendly paw balms to protect them from extreme weather conditions.

• Make Sure They Are Mentally and Physically Stimulated: Implement daily walks, puzzle toys, and interactive games to ensure your dog’s physical and mental stimulation.

• Utilize Anti-Licking Bandage and E-Collar:  Anti-licking bandages or e-collars can prevent dogs from licking their paws and giving them time to heal.

Wrapping Things Up

After reading all this, we can conclude that the answer to the question ‘Why do dogs lick their paws?’ is a sophisticated one, ranging from anything to health-related issues, environmental concerns, infections, allergies, and even behavioral concerns. As with any subject, keen observation is required to maintain your dog’s health. Finally, don’t hesitate to contact a vet if the symptoms and licking persist.