Dogs lick their paws often but do you really know why they do this?
Do you really know why your dog likes to do this? All dogs have licking behaviors in some form or another. Even if it’s not an obvious sihn like paw licking, there is a clear reason your dog enjoys licking its paws and there are a few things you can try at home to stop this behavior.
An obvious sign that reveals excessive dog licking paws is paw stains on their fur. If a dog constantly licks its feet, even if it has a light color coat, the repeated nature of licking will result in the fur being visibly stained, particularly if your dog has quite a dark colored coat.
There are a variety of reasons for why your dog may be licking its feet, from teething to boredom to stress. It may be a natural response as the way a dog relieves itself, but there are plenty of other possible reasons. You can take your dog to a vet, who will confirm the reason for excessive licking. Another common sign that your dog is looking to relieve itself is itchy, red or inflamed skin or a cyst on the dog’s paw.
Your dog may also have an allergy. Allergies to fleas or other parasites can also cause your dog to itch around the paws. A more common cause of itchy feet is from food allergies. Dogs with food allergies could develop a rash around the stomach and inner thighs so you need to monitor their diet.
Bathing your dog is another common reason for itchy dog licking paws. Although it may be a very enjoyable part of his day, bathing him daily can lead to dry skin on his paws and back. This is especially true for overweight or obese dogs. If you bath him too frequently, the dirt and grime from his coat may rub off and cause irritation, making itchy skin even itchier.
If you notice excessive paw licking paws or other signs of illness or disease, visit your local vet. The first step in getting help is to let your vet know what you think is wrong. Most vets treat excessive paw licking through medication, while others will try a course of antibiotics or antihistamines to get rid of the problem. Your vet may give you something to alleviate your dog’s scratching problems or refer you to a specialist.
One option, your vet may consider is using a pet endoscope to remove the irritant and potentially harmful substance from the affected area. This type of instrument is similar to a scratching post. It holds a small Peticle tool that a veterinarian uses to dig into the animal’s skin to expose the irritant. With the Peticle tool, the vet can then remove this foreign body in one piece and thereby alleviate your dog’s itchy, red paw print. Itching and redness will usually subside within a few days.
