Dogs lick their paws for many reasons. Some dog owners have noticed their dog licking its paws before they go to sleep, or after being outside in the snow. Dogs are constantly grooming themselves to keep dirt and debris off of their fur. Licking also helps clean wounds on a dog’s paw pads, which is why it will sometimes lick one paw more than another if there is an injury on that foot.
Reasons Why Dogs Are Licking Their Paws
When dog owners notice that their dog is licking its paws, they might be concerned. Some people think this means the dog has some kind of allergy or another issue with its feet. However, there are several reasons why dogs lick their paws and it often does not indicate a problem at all.
Licking can help keep the dog’s paw pads healthy by keeping them moisturized. It also helps to remove debris from between the paw pads which could irritate them if left behind for too long. If your dog likes to dig in areas where chemicals are present, this will also protect against those harsh elements as well as bugs that may crawl on him while he is doing his digging activities.
Dogs licking their paws is a common behavior that dog owners can see. Dogs lick another dog’s, or human’s, feet as well as their own. This action normally occurs after waking up from napping or resting for long periods. There are several reasons why dogs lick their paw including itchy skin, allergies, and infection.
Dog owners can tell if their dog is licking its paw because it will be red and swollen with a lot of saliva on the paw, around the house, or in bed. Dog’s lick paws for many reasons including itching skin or allergies to something they have come into contact with such as an insect bite, plant sap from walking through grasses, dog food, detergent residue, chemicals, and soaps.
Dogs lick their paws to help them heal if they have an infection such as a cut or scrape on the paw. If dog owners notice that their dog is constantly licking its paw after it has been healed they should take the dog to see a veterinarian because there could be something else the dog is trying to tell them.
The Risks Associated With Dogs Licking Their Paws
Dogs licking their paws can be unnoticeable to dog owners, but dog owners need to realize what the dog might be doing. Dogs lick their paws as part of normal grooming behavior and even when dogs are licking themselves because they have an injury or infection on the paw area. However, there are risks associated with this action that dog owners should take into consideration before allowing a dog to continue licking its paw.
Skin allergies: Dogs may suffer from skin allergies which will cause them to excessively lick their feet without realizing they’re causing damage. These allergic reactions can lead pet parents down a path where they start noticing signs of infections in the dog’s foot including redness, swelling, discharge, and odor among other things.
Foot injuries: Dogs can suffer from foot injuries which might cause them to lick their paws excessively. These dog paw injuries usually take the form of cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds that may require treatment by a veterinarian for them to heal properly.
Bacterial infections: If dogs are licking their feet repetitively they will begin to notice redness on the skin surrounding the area where they’ve licked themselves raw. This is called contact dermatitis and if left untreated this kind of infection could lead dog owners down a path towards seeing signs of bacterial infections including cellulitis, lymphangitis, or even septic arthritis among other things.
Other risks associated with dog paw licking include excessive growths around nails which lead dog owners to seek veterinary attention for dog nail clipping, fungal infections, and even hair loss.
Dog paw licking has risks associated with it that dog owners should consider if their dog is excessively licking its paws without any clear reason as to why the dog is doing so. If dog parents notice excessive paw licking they should consult a veterinarian who can get them pointed in the right direction on how best to help their dog stop this behavior.
How To Stop Your Dog From Licking Their Paws
If your dog is licking their paws, it could be because they are trying to tell you something. Maybe they’re hungry or thirsty and want some attention? It might also mean that there’s an issue with the paw itself, such as a cut or foreign object causing pain when walking on it.
You should watch out for any signs of discomfort in your dog, but if nothing else comes up after checking over them thoroughly then here are some steps you can take to make sure they stop licking their paws excessively:
First off, check all four feet carefully making sure not to miss anything – even the tiniest burr stuck between toes can cause immense amounts of pain! If everything seems okay at first glance then move onto step two which is soaking the dog’s paws.
You want to make it as easy as possible for a dog so have everything ready and set out before you start: a large bowl filled with warm water, a towel (and another dry one), dog shampoo and treats. Once a dog is calm and relaxed then begin the soaking process by first wetting down the paw with lukewarm water – avoid getting any into the eyes or other sensitive areas such as the nose. Now apply the dog-friendly shampoo all over their feet making sure to be thorough yet gentle at the same time (you don’t want them shaking off now!). Rinse away suds thoroughly until there are no traces of soap left behind; if your dog doesn’t like having something foreign in their ears then cover those up too just to be safe.
It’s very important dog’s paws are completely dry before letting them outside again so don’t skip this step and use that towel to rub away any leftover water droplets. While the dog is still standing, offer up a few small treats as a reward for being such an obedient pup! After they’ve eaten their snacks you can finally let them go outside – just make sure there isn’t anything dangerous on the ground like antifreeze or other harmful substances (not only will it hurt dogs if they lick at it but also you).
