Why do dogs lick their paws?
There are so many reasons why your dog is licking his paws but today we will discuss about 5 major reasons, which are;
1. SELF GROOMING.
The most common reason your dog lick its paws is as a part of self-grooming. Even dogs that don't do a lot of self-grooming will occasionally clean their paws. If you notice your dog licking its paws every once in a while, then there's probably nothing to worry about as it's a normal behavior in dogs especially when they come inside after walking on dirty or sandy ground.
It is not normal if your dog seems to be licking its paws frequently or aggressively. This is usually a sign of a health problem, injury or a behavior issue.
2. INJURIES.
If you think your dog's paw-licking is abnormal, The first thing to do, especially if the licking begins very suddenly and is focused on one paw, is to examine the paws to make sure there is not an injury such as a cut, torn nail, ice ball stuck between the pads, growth, or maybe a stone, or thorn. Take a look at the nails very well, check between the toes and pads, and at the tops of the feet.
Maybe your dog have irritated his paw by stepping on a sharp object, walking on hot or salted sidewalks, stung by a bee, or getting a blister. Some of these problems can be relieved by a simple first aid treatment, while others might require treatment by your veterinarian.
3. EXTERNAL PARASITES.
Parasite infections such as Ticks, fleas or mange can make your dog paws to be very itchy. Your veterinarian can recommend treatments to eliminate the parasites, which should relieve the itching.
4. PAW ALLERGIES.
If your dog has itchy paws, allergies may also be the cause. Allergies are common and can be caused by the environment, food, or an irritant that comes into contact with your dog’s skin. Food allergies are known to cause itchy paws, and these types of allergies are difficult to pinpoint. Your vet may suggest a special diet or elimination of certain ingredients in your dog’s food to try to alleviate the problem. Dark pigmentation, Redness, or brown staining on the paws from constant licking may be signs of allergies. Bathing or wiping your dog’s paws after going outside will reduce the allergens on your dog’s skin.
Your veterinarian will prescribe topical creams or sprays with hydrocortisone to temporarily reduce the itch, but more intense licking requires systemic medication (prescription meds that affect the entire body) to control.
5. PAIN.
This is one of the most common reason your dog lick its paws. A dog that is experiencing pain due to arthritis or other foot or leg conditions may lick his paws. Even if the pain is somewhere else in their body, (the affected area may be sensitive and appear swollen). Some dogs will try to deal with it by licking a front paw continuously.
Your dog will need to be diagnosed and treatment by a veterinarian.
These above are the 5 major reasons your dog is licking its paws.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR DOG’S PAWS
Here are a few ways you can protect your dog’s paws.
DAILY PAW CHECK.
You should try and make it a daily habit of checking your dog’s paws closely as it will help you catch problems early so they can be easily corrected.
Be sure to examine the top and bottom of the paws, along with the toes, nails, toe pads, and between each paw. Look for any indication of injury, irritation, objects, or any obvious abnormality.
PAW MOISTURIZER
Protecting your dog’s paws may include moisturizing them on a regular basis(2-3times weekly) with a pet-specific moisturizing cream or Lotions.
Washing your dog’s paws or thoroughly wiping them with a clean cloth after walks will decrease the environmental allergens on the skin.
NOTE: Be sure to avoid human lotions and medications, as these are not safe for dogs to ingest.
TRIM YOUR DOG'S NAILS.
Keeping your dog’ nails trimmed will ensure that they do not overgrow into the paw or become painful when your dog walks.
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