If you’ve noticed your dog obsessively chewing and licking their paws, it’s natural to wonder what’s causing this behavior. While occasional paw licking can be a normal grooming or self-soothing activity, excessive licking and chewing can signal an underlying issue that needs attention. This behavior might stem from simple causes like dirt from a walk or more complex problems such as allergies, injuries, or even behavioral concerns.
Dr. Valentina Henao, a veterinarian and medical director at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Miami, explains that a variety of factors can lead to a dog licking and chewing their paws. These range from common culprits like fleas or allergies to more immediate concerns like paw injuries.
Understanding Excessive Paw Licking in Dogs
Dogs naturally lick their paws for various reasons, including exploration, to calm themselves, or simply to clean off dirt and debris after outdoor activities. However, when this behavior becomes incessant—to the point where your dog cannot be easily distracted and may even cause harm to themselves—it’s crucial to investigate further.
It is essential to collaborate with your veterinarian to pinpoint the exact reason for your dog’s paw licking. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to addressing the root cause swiftly and effectively.
Common Causes of Paw Licking and Chewing
Here are some of the most frequent reasons why dogs excessively lick and chew at their paws:
1. Injuries or General Pain
Persistent and aggressive paw licking or chewing can be a clear indicator of pain or an injury. Beyond the licking, you might observe other signs of discomfort such as limping, reluctance to use stairs, or a general decrease in activity levels. Injuries can arise from various sources:
- Stings or Bites: If you suspect your dog has been stung, examine their paws for an embedded stinger. Dr. Henao advises that removing stingers is critical, as they can trigger allergic reactions and make pets ill.
- Cuts and Abrasions: Lacerations, scrapes, or other wounds on the paws can cause significant discomfort, leading to excessive licking as the dog tries to soothe the area.
- Foreign Objects: Small objects like thorns, glass shards, or burrs can become lodged in the paw pads, causing irritation and pain.
If you suspect any form of injury, consulting your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is recommended.
2. Allergies
Allergies are a prevalent cause of skin issues in dogs, and they can manifest on the paws, leading to infections, hot spots, and ear infections, as Dr. Henao notes. Identifying the specific allergen can be a complex process, as triggers can include:
- Environmental Allergens: Pollen, dust mites, mold, and certain grasses can cause seasonal or year-round allergic reactions.
- Food Intolerances: Some dogs are sensitive to specific ingredients in their food, such as certain proteins, grains, or additives.
- Contact Allergens: Reactions can also occur from direct contact with substances like cleaning products, certain fabrics, or lawn chemicals.
Addressing underlying allergies often involves a multi-faceted approach. This may include allergy medications, injections, specific dog food formulations designed for allergies, topical treatments, and medicated shampoos. For instance, limited-ingredient diets, such as those featuring salmon and potato, can be beneficial for dogs with food intolerances. In cases of true food allergies, veterinary-prescribed diets utilizing novel or hydrolyzed proteins might be necessary. If flea allergies are suspected, a veterinarian-recommended flea and tick preventative is crucial. Infections stemming from allergies might require both topical and oral medications, and a recovery cone may be needed to prevent the dog from exacerbating the affected area.
3. Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are common external parasites that can cause significant itching and discomfort, leading dogs to excessively lick, chew, and bite at their paws and other parts of their body. These pests can thrive in various environments frequented by dogs, including bedding, carpets, toys, as well as natural settings like soil, tall grasses, and wooded areas.
A simple physical examination with a flea comb can help detect the presence of fleas or ticks. Signs of flea infestation include the appearance of small, active insects on the dog’s skin and the characteristic black specks, known as flea dirt, which are flea droppings. Ticks often embed themselves between the toes, in the groin area, or behind the ears. If a tick is found, it should be carefully removed using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping the tick as close to the dog’s skin as possible to ensure the entire tick, including its mouthparts, is removed. Leaving parts of the tick embedded in the skin can lead to serious skin infections. Specialized tick removal tools can be very effective. Prevention and treatment of fleas and ticks are readily achievable with veterinarian-approved preventative medications. Your vet can guide you on the most suitable options available, including prescription and over-the-counter treatments.
4. Arthritis
Arthritis is a common degenerative joint disease, particularly prevalent in older dogs, that can affect various joints, including those in the toes. This condition involves the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain, inflammation, and mobility issues in the affected paws or limbs.
Several strategies can help manage arthritis and improve a dog’s comfort and movement:
- Exercise and Physical Therapy: Gentle, low-impact exercises and regular joint movement can help alleviate pain associated with arthritic joints.
- Pain Management and Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Depending on the severity of the arthritis, your veterinarian may prescribe medications to manage pain and inflammation. These can include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) specifically formulated for dogs, or other pain-relieving medications.
5. Behavioral Issues
As Dr. Henao points out, pets, much like humans, can experience behavioral and mental health challenges that necessitate veterinary support. Even after medical issues like infections or allergies have been resolved, some dogs may continue to lick and chew their paws due to:
- Anxiety or Stress: Changes in routine, separation anxiety, or environmental stressors can trigger compulsive behaviors like paw licking.
- Boredom: Insufficient mental and physical stimulation can lead to dogs developing self-soothing or attention-seeking behaviors, including excessive paw licking.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): In some cases, paw licking can become a compulsive behavior that is difficult to interrupt, even when the initial cause has been removed.
Partnering with Your Veterinarian for Treatment
While excessive paw licking is not typically considered a veterinary emergency, prompt veterinary attention is advised if your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms:
- Bleeding from the paws
- Noticeable swelling of the paws
- Limping or difficulty walking
- Presence of pus or other discharge, indicating an infection
- Vocalization such as whimpering, wincing, or crying out when their paws are touched
It is crucial to work closely with your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of your dog’s paw licking and to implement an effective treatment plan. Dr. Henao cautions that untreated causes can escalate into more significant problems. Persistent licking can lead to a painful bacterial infection of the paws known as pododermatitis, which can be challenging to treat. Early detection and intervention are key to achieving a simpler and more successful resolution.
