5 MAJOR REASONS WHY DOGS LICK THEIR PAWS

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.

Thanks for reading this article 😊 Please drop your comment and don't forget to share with others.

Read More

10 ways to know your dog loves you so much.

Are you a dog owner and you love your dog so much and keep wondering if they love you back? Yes! They do, you can tell if your dog loves you by looking for these 10 common signs of love and affection.  

Article outlines:

1. STARRING AT YOU.

Your dog starring into your eyes when you look at them. It's true dogs can’t talk with humans verbally so they use many non-verbal ways of communicating. One of the ways in which dogs show their love is starring directly into your eyes. According to a research published in the journal of Science, dogs develop strong emotional bonds with humans by staring right into our eyes. This non-verbal way of communication increases level of social hormone called oxytocin in both dogs and their owners.

2. RAISES THEIR EYEBROWS

A Japanese researchers filmed the faces of dogs when they saw their owners and when they saw a stranger. The dogs raised their eyebrows when they saw their owner. The stranger just got an ear lift, a sign of doggie caution. Why do they raise their eyebrows? So they can make better eye contact and make those good chemicals that bond the two of you.

3. HE YAWNS AFTER YOU. 

Studies have shown that, just like humans, dogs yawn contagiously, but they're more sensitive to the yawns of their owners than strangers. Since contagious yawning in humans is linked to empathy, some scientists believe this might be the case with canines too. A study found that 70 percent of dogs yawned when they watched their owner yawn. It's a sign of emotional bonding between man and dog. Whether you're bored or sleepy, your dog's on board. He feels you.

4. SHE WELCOMES YOU HOME.

The moment you walk through the door after work and she comes doing the 'Happy Dog Dance' You need no science to confirm what your dog is saying. She's excited to see her lovely human, the love of her life. Let the happy yips, raised eyebrows and right-tail wags and barking begin.

5. HE BRINGS HIS TOY/BONE TO YOU.

Yes, dogs are possessive about their bones, toys and other chews. Whenever he brings his toy to you it means he wants to play with you, which is a sign of affection. It may also mean they see and recognize you as the pack leader bringing you a dead animal. Some experts say it's a throwback to their wolf ancestors who brought the fruits of the hunt to the alpha dog to show their loyalty. And so he wants to please you, his beloved pack leader, so he is giving you a gift.

6. SHE WANTS TO SLEEP IN YOUR BEDROOM OR ON YOUR BED.

If your dog is fond wanting to sleep on your bed, laps or on the couch with you then it's a sign that she really loves you. Dogs want to belong to a pack. It's a legacy of their wolf ancestors who traveled, hunted and slept in a lupine posse. If your dog wants to be in your bed, or at least in a dog bed in your room, it means you're in his pack and he doesn't want to be separated from you. 

7. HE WAGS HIS TAIL TO THE RIGHT.

Dogs wag their tails for a lot of reasons, and they're not always positive. But an Italian neuroscientist and two veterinarians filmed the tail wag angles of dogs as they looked at their owners, a stranger, a dog they didn't know and a cat. The dogs wagged their tails to the right when they saw their owner. Everybody else got a wag to the left. So watch out if your dog is wagging his tail to the right, then he's saying he loves you. 

8. SHE CUDDLES WITH YOU AFTER EATING.

An Author Gregory Berns in his book "How Dogs Love Us," writes that if your dog cuddles with you after she eats, it means you're the most important thing in the world to her besides eating. You and i both know how much dogs love food. So if she heads to your lap or comes to your feet after eating, take it as a sign of deep attachment. 

9. HE LICKS YOU.

Just as mother dogs lick their puppies to dry/groom them, so it's a primal sign of affection when your dog licks you. He's getting pleasure out of it, too, because it makes his brain crank out endorphins, chemicals that make him calm and happy. 

10. SHE FOLLOWS YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

If your dog follows you everywhere then it's most likely a sign that she love and adore you. When dogs interact with someone they like, the hormone oxytocin is released. Oxytocin is often referred to as the 'love hormone' and makes you feel that warm glow when you're around someone you like.

Like the article? Please comment and share with friends. 

Read More