Dogs never cease to fascinate us with their unusual behaviors and quirky mannerisms. From a classic case of the zoomies to concentrated tail-chasing sessions, the causes of our dog’s behaviors aren’t always easily identifiable. Paw licking is one of those behaviors that can either be completely normal or indicative of an issue.
While some degree of paw licking occasionally can be part of your pup’s self-grooming routine, excessive or aggressive licking can be a sign of an underlying health concern. Read on to learn more about this behavior, including what causes it and tips on how to stop it.
The 11 Tips to Stop Your Dog From Licking Their Paws
1. Addressing Underlying Issues
When it comes to the health of your dog, you never want to use band-aid solutions. Unfortunately, there are many potential reasons your pup is licking themselves, which can make identifying the underlying issue a bit challenging and even expensive if you need to take them to the vet to find out what’s going on. However, if your dog is licking their paws more often than as part of their self-grooming regimen, it’s time to get your veterinary team involved.
2. Make Dietary Changes
If your vet thinks a food allergy may be leading to excessive paw licking, they’ll probably recommend you put your dog on a food trial. This is a long and sometimes grueling process that can take months, but it will help determine which food(s) triggers your pup’s allergies so you can eliminate them from their diet.
3. Tend to Your Pup’s Paws
After spending time outside, wash and dry off your pup’s paws to protect them from any environmental allergens or irritants they may have encountered on their adventures.
4. Hold Off on Spending Time Outside in Severe Weather
Things like hot sidewalks in the summer or salt-sprinkled walkways in winter can cause severe irritation and even burn your dog’s paws. When your pup’s paws are aching, they’ll be more likely to try to bite or lick them to relieve the pain.
Hot sidewalks in the summer can cause discomfort, blisters, and burns to your dog’s paw pads. A good rule of thumb to determine whether the pavement is too hot for your pup is to place the back of your hand on it for ten seconds. If it feels too hot on your hand, that’s a good sign to put off your walk until the sun has set.
Most commercial ice melts used in winter to deal with the ice on your sidewalks are dangerous not only for the burns and injuries they can cause to your pup’s paws but also because they sometimes contain chemicals that can be toxic for pets.
5. Use an Oatmeal Shampoo
If your pup’s paws are itchy, chances are they’re licking them to try to relieve themselves of that annoying itch. Oatmeal has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe your pup’s itchy skin, so using dog-friendly oatmeal shampoo on their paws could help relieve the discomfort. These shampoos are generally used to help soothe dogs’ dry and itchy skin, so it could be beneficial.
Giving your dog’s paws an oatmeal bath could also help.