Why Does My Dog Lick His Paws? (2/2)
Puppy, are you still kissing your paws? What's up with that? Are you okay?
Photo by Moto "Club4AG" Miwa
In Part 1 of this series we discussed initial considerations and a pre-vet question list.
In summary, the initial considerations are:
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If you’ve seen paw-licking for over a day, schedule a veterinarian visit immediately.
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Do not purchase any paw-licking treatments without consulting your vet.
A list of diagnostic questions is also available in Part 1.
Part II. Possible Causes and Common Treatments
Remember, we are sharing with you possible causes and common treatments. Excessive paw-licking can be caused by any number of factors. Please consult your veterinarian before proceeding with any treatment.
Parasites
The war against fleas and ticks never ends, it seems. If a parasite like these makes its way between your dog’s toes, for example, the resulting itching can understandably prompt him/her to lick or nibble on the paw(s).
Arthritis or Other Internal Pain
Dogs get arthritis just like people do, and it can become just as unpleasant for them as it is for us. Pain from arthritis or nerve damage can sometimes be lessened by paw-licking. One common non-invasive treatment is weight management, aimed at reducing stress on the dog’s joints and building strength. Dogs can also sometimes find relief with medications like pain relievers and anti-inflamatory drugs. Another common treatment is a change in diet to include certain foods and additives that promote healthy joints. In some instances surgery is required to correct bone issues.
Bad Habit
I’m sure you know a friend or family member who has a bad habit, like nail-biting, cracking fingers, etc. Consider that your dog may have had a legitimate issue with his/her paw(s) at some point in the past and successfully dealt with it on his/her own by licking. If so, your dog may be continuing to lick out of habit with nothing actually wrong. Behavior therapy can sometimes work in this kind of situation.
Allergies
Allergens are typically picked up by dogs during trips or playtime outside. One common solution to dog allergies is to vigorously wash the paws with a specially-formulated bath. Your veterinarian may refer you to a qualified veterinary dermatologist for further diagnosis.
Abnormal Growths and Abscesses
If a cyst or open sore has formed on your dog’s paw(s), walking on it can be extremely painful, and licking it may be his/her attempt to solve the problem. Unfortunately surgery is sometimes required for this situation. You may be asked to consult with a veterinary surgeon.
Infection
In some cases paw-licking is both a cause and a result of infection. For example, if your dog licked his/her paws raw and bacteria, fungus, or a virus made its way through the skin, he/she may now be licking to hopefully treat the resulting infection. A common treatment for this situation is antibiotics coupled with veterinarian-approved paw socks. Another common treatment is a specially-formulated foot bath.
Psychological Issues
Dogs deal with stress or anxiety in a variety of ways, and paw-licking is one of them. It is also possible for paw-licking to be brought on by the doggy version of OCD (Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder). When the root cause of paw-licking is psychological, medications and behavioral treatments are commonly recommended. Some veterinarians also prescribe adjustments to play time to promote healthy distractions from paw-licking.
What Can I Do Right Now?
In case you missed it, we put together a helpful pre-vet question list for you in Part 1.
We wish you and your dog the best of luck in dealing with the paw-licking situation.