Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws?

It’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s health. Unlike people, they can’t tell you what’s wrong or how they’re feeling, which means you need to call the shots. Paw licking and chewing are a natural part of a dog’s life because it’s how they keep their toes clean, but there are times when you might need to see a vet. 

Licking and chewing paws can be a sign of conditions such as arthritis or allergies. It could even be a symptom of anxiety, OCD, or even more severe problems like PTSD. This is why it’s so important to talk to your vet if you ever have any questions or concerns, and it’s why I’m here to help you learn more about the question “why do dogs lick their paws so much?”. 

Key Takeaways

• Licking paws is part of how your dog keeps clean
• Excessive licking can be a sign of something more serious 
• Canine PTSD is often overlooked as a cause of paw licking 
• Allergy tablets can be a great form of relief for dogs

Why Do Dogs Lick And Chew Their Paws? 

It’s all about grooming and keeping clean. Dogs lick their paws as a form of exploring their bodies and keeping everything in order. They do it to remove dirt and sand from between their toes after a long walk, and it’s great during the winter when there is snow and ice packed between them. If you have a winter dog like me, you’ll understand. 

You’ll notice that this form of licking is very calm and controlled. They move in a fluid motion, and they are gentle with their paws. However, if things start to become excessive, you’ll see them become extremely focused on one paw or a spot on said paw. They might also become more aggressive in their motions with very audible chewing sounds. 

If this happens, there are several possible causes for your dog starting to become more obsessive with their paws. While you should always consult your vet as soon as things start to seem out of the ordinary with your dog, these reasons might give you some guidance during your visit and checkup. 

General Pain Or Injuries 

If your dog starts to chew or lick their paws quite aggressively, especially if they are focused on one paw or area, it could be a sign of general pain or injury. This might also be accompanied by limping and whining, which might worsen when they put weight on their bad foot. Licking is a way for them to try to alleviate their pain through soothing. It could be caused by:

• Cuts and scrapes 
• Stings and bites 
• Broken nails or ingrown nails 
• Paw pads that are dry and cracked 
• Burns on paw pads (caused by heat or cold)
• Fractures and breaks 
• Muscle tears or joint pain 

This is why it is important for you to visit your vet if you notice excessive licking, so you can find the root cause of any injuries. Always check their feet first, as sometimes it can be caused by something as simple as a stone being stuck between their toe pads (I’ve been there). 

Allergies And Dermatitis 

With allergies, the reaction can appear anywhere on the body. The paws are quite a common area for a reaction to take place, and it can lead to excessive chewing and licking that results in pink paws. The same goes for dermatitis, which causes the skin to itch and flake, often because of allergies. Medications often fix this issue alongside adjusting their diet and environment. 

Behavioral Issues 

It’s quite common for excessive licking to be caused by behavioral issues. Treatment for this can be a little harder because you and your vet will need to find the root cause first, but it is most frequently caused by the following: 

• Stress
• Boredom 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• OCD 
• Compulsive habits 

In some cases, existing medical conditions such as allergies and arthritis might be treated successfully, and the licking remains. When this happens, it is likely because the chewing has become habitual, which means it will be harder to break (but not impossible). 

Canine PTSD 

I have often found that canine PTSD is greatly overlooked. There are many different symptoms, but excessive paw licking is one of them. Sadly, my oldest dog struggles with canine PTSD, and it has led to him having a severe problem with excessive paw licking. He chews and licks his paws so aggressively that they are almost always pink despite consistent treatment. 

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws At Night? 

For some dogs, licking their paws at night is just part of their grooming routine. It’s a simple part of their day and nothing to worry about because, in this case, it won’t last for very long. However, if you notice it becomes more excessive and they don’t stop or are quite vigorous, it could be something more serious. 

While excessive paw licking at night could be a sign of any of the above issues, it can also be related to separation anxiety. If your dog doesn’t sleep in the same room as you at night, it might be that they are feeling stressed and anxious about being apart from you. This can cause excessive licking in the form of self-soothing to help them calm down. 

Dogs are very clever, and those that have a compulsive need to chew their paws will often go out of their way to conceal it to prevent getting caught and in trouble. This can lead to them chewing more at night when everyone is asleep and they know they can do it freely. It’s why it’s important to tackle the root cause of the issue instead of simply telling them off.

Final Thoughts 

I hope this guide has been able to help ease your mind and give you the answers you need. Dogs lick their paws for so many reasons, and while some of them are completely safe and normal, others might need a visit to the vet. No matter what, we know you’ll make sure your dog gets the treatment they need and that you will be a fantastic support for them. 

That’s the beautiful thing about dogs – they’re there for us as much as we are there for them.