Why does my dog lick its paws? The short answer is that a certain amount of paw licking is completely normal and part of a dog's daily grooming of itself. But when the licking becomes persistent, focuses on particular paws or leaves red, moist and discoloured areas between the toes, it is usually a signal that something is bothering the dog. It can be anything from a small skin irritation or a foreign object between the paw pads to itching, boredom or a reaction to something in the diet or surroundings. In the following, we go through the most common explanations, so you can more quickly read what your particular dog is trying to tell you.
When is paw licking normal, and when is it a sign of something
Dogs use their mouth and tongue to keep themselves clean, and a couple of licks across the paws after a walk is just as natural as shaking the coat. It only becomes interesting when the pattern changes. Does the dog lick more than usual, does it return to the same paw again and again, or does it happen in long sessions in the evening, when it otherwise used to settle down? Then there is reason to take a closer look. A good indicator is whether the licking disrupts everyday life: a dog that interrupts its sleep or its play to gnaw at a paw is trying to relieve something. A dog that gives its paw a quick swipe after eating is just cleaning up.
Foreign objects, injuries and irritated skin between the toes
The most overlooked cause is also the simplest to check: something is stuck. Blades of grass, small stones, sawdust, splinters or dried-up road salt in winter can wedge themselves down between the paw pads and cause discomfort with every step. So turn the paw over, gently spread the toes and look for redness, swelling, a crack in a paw pad or a nail that has broken off too far down. In winter, road salt and cold are a classic culprit, and in summer hot asphalt can burn the soft pads. If you find a visible injury, an abscess or something you cannot gently remove yourself, it belongs with the vet rather than with you and a pair of tweezers.
Allergies and the significance of the diet for itchy paws
Persistent licking of several paws at once often points towards itching, and itching is often connected to allergies or hypersensitivity. Some dogs react to pollen, house dust mites or grass they walk in, while others are sensitive to certain ingredients in their meals. The paws are one of the places where the itching typically shows itself, precisely because the dog can easily reach them with its mouth. Here the diet plays a real role. A meal made up of carefully selected, human-grade ingredients and fresh raw materials provides a calmer starting point than a feeding plan with many unnecessary fillers, and for dogs with a suspected sensitivity to grains, a grain-free meal may be worth trying. In ESSENTIAL FOODS' grain-free range you will find meals entirely without grains, and if your dog has a more sensitive stomach, you can look through the assortment for sensitive stomach. Note that BALANCE is not a grain-free meal, but a separate choice for dogs in need of a mild, easily digestible starting point, and that it therefore stands on its own when we talk about grain-free diets.
Allergies and skin conditions are complex, and they require a vet to make the actual diagnosis. If, on the other hand, you would like to discuss what a well-considered meal can mean for your dog's wellbeing, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready by phone, chat and email to advise on feeding, food and nutrition, so you can find the nutritional profile that suits your particular dog.
Dry skin, fungus and bacteria in the moist environment between the paw pads
When a dog licks the same paw over a longer period, the area becomes constantly moist, and moisture is exactly what yeast and bacteria thrive in. That is why licking that began as a small irritation can develop into a vicious circle: the skin becomes more sore, the dog licks more, and the environment between the toes becomes even more favourable for unwelcome guests. A reddish-brown discolouration of the coat around the paws is often caused precisely by saliva over time. Dry, flaky skin can also trigger the licking, and here the right fatty acids play a role in the condition of the skin from the inside. A daily supplement such as ESSENTIAL the OMEGA 3 OIL 1L supports skin and coat, and you will find more relevant options in the collection daily supplements. If the skin is already red, swollen or smells, a vet should take a look at it before it develops further.
Boredom, stress and habit as an explanation for the paw licking
Not all paw licking is about the skin. Licking has a calming effect on dogs, because it releases a sense of wellbeing, and that is why some dogs resort to it when they are bored, understimulated or feel insecure. It is often seen in dogs that have too little to keep them occupied during the day, or who are alone for many hours. If your dog has a high activity level, the need to use its head and body is greater, while a dog with a more moderate everyday life still needs daily stimulation so as not to fall back into habitual licking. Mental activation makes a noticeable difference, and something as simple as letting the meal take time can divert attention away from the paws. THE LICKING MAT is created for exactly that: to give the dog a calm, focused licking activity that puts the same behaviour to constructive use. If the licking is linked to insecurity, for example when you leave, it is more about reassurance and routines than about the paw itself.
How to help your dog, and when the vet should be involved
Start with what you can manage yourself. Check the paws for foreign objects and injuries, keep the area dry, wipe the paws after wet or salted walks, and keep the nails at an appropriate length. At the same time, make sure that everyday life provides enough exercise and mental challenge, so habitual licking does not take hold. Look critically at the meal if you suspect a sensitivity, and give any dietary change time to show its effect, as skin and coat react slowly. There is, however, a limit to what you should resolve yourself. If your dog keeps licking, if the skin is red, swollen, sore or smells, if the dog limps, or if it generally seems unwell, you should contact your vet, who can find the cause and put together a plan. Paw licking is the dog's way of drawing attention to something, and the sooner you read the signal correctly, the sooner your dog can go back to licking its paws out of sheer good conscience rather than discomfort.