Why does my dog lick its paws? Causes and what to do

When it's normal and when it isn't

Dogs lick their paws to clean them, especially after a walk or before settling down. That's normal. What isn't normal is licking for many minutes at a time, several times a day, waking up at night to lick or chewing at the toes. That kind of persistent licking almost always has a cause, and the sooner you find it, the better.

Allergies: the number one cause

Most dogs that constantly lick their paws have some kind of allergy. There are two main types:

• Environmental allergies (atopy): to pollen, dust mites, mold or grass. They often get worse at certain times of year and also cause itching in the ears, armpits and belly.
• Food allergies or intolerances: to a protein in its food. The itching lasts all year.

Your vet may recommend an elimination diet, anti-itch medication or tests to find the cause. Don't switch foods on your own every few weeks: that makes it very hard to know what works.

Other physical causes

• Injuries or foreign objects: a grass awn, splinter, cut or broken nail. Usually only one paw is licked and the dog may limp.
• Parasites: fleas and mites cause intense itching. Read how to get rid of fleas.
• Yeast or bacterial infections: often develop after so much licking and moisture. They cause odor, redness and discharge.
• Dry or irritated skin: from cold weather, road salt in winter or hot pavement in summer.
• Pain: arthritis or other joint discomfort can make a dog lick the area that hurts.

Emotional causes

Some dogs lick out of boredom, anxiety or stress, a bit like a person biting their nails. It's more common in dogs that spend many hours alone or get little exercise. If the licking happens mainly when you leave, it may be linked to separation anxiety. Even so, rule out a physical cause before assuming it's emotional.

How to check its paws at home

In good light, gently spread its toes and look between them and at the pads. Look for:

• Redness, swelling or wounds.
• Grass awns, pebbles or splinters.
• Broken or overly long nails.
• Brown or reddish fur: saliva stains light fur when licking is constant.
• A bad smell or dampness.

If you find something stuck that doesn't come out easily, don't force it: take your dog to the vet.

What you can do in the meantime

• Wash and dry its paws well after walks, especially after grass, mud or salt.
• Keep its nails short: read how to trim dog nails.
• Keep parasite prevention current and log it in the vaccine record.
• Give it more exercise and sniffing games to reduce boredom.
• If it licks a wound, a cone or protective sock can keep it from getting worse until the vet visit.

Don't use human creams without asking: some are toxic if licked.

When to see the vet

Book an appointment if the licking lasts more than a few days, if you see redness, wounds, pus or a bad smell, if it limps, if it licks until it bleeds or if it also scratches its ears or belly. Allergies don't go away on their own, but with the right treatment they can be managed very well and your dog will be much more comfortable.

Understand what it's telling you

Licking is a way of communicating that something bothers it. Watch for other signals too, like yawning, shaking off or lip licking, which can indicate stress. Learn to read them with our What is my pet telling me? tool and note in its journal when it licks most: that information helps your vet a lot.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my dog lick its paws at night? There are fewer distractions at night and the itch is more noticeable. It's typical of allergies.

Are brown stains on the paws normal? They usually point to constant licking. It's worth finding the cause.

Can I use vinegar or home remedies? Better not without asking. They can irritate the skin further, especially if there are wounds.

Will changing food fix it? Only if the cause is food-related, and it should be done with a vet-guided elimination diet.

This article is for information only and does not replace a visit to your vet.