Why Do Dogs Lick and Bite Their Paws? 5 Common Causes & Solutions (2024)

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You’re likely noticing your dog licking and biting their paws due to an underlying issue requiring attention.

Common causes include allergies to food, environment, or fleas, leading to red, itchy skin.

Injuries like cuts, burns, or dry paw pads can also trigger licking and biting for relief.

Parasites like fleas, ticks, or mites often cause intense itching and soreness.

Infections, frequently secondary to allergies, manifest as inflammation and discomfort.

Even behavioral issues like boredom, anxiety, or OCD can prompt excessive licking as self-soothing behavior.

Identifying and addressing the root cause is essential – and where we’ll explore further.

Why Do Dogs Lick and Bite Their Paws?

Why do dogs lick and bite their paws? Dogs lick and bite their paws due to various reasons, such as allergies, injuries, parasites, infections, or behavioral issues like boredom or anxiety. Addressing the underlying cause is essential for resolving this behavior.

Allergies

Allergies are a common reason dogs lick and bite their paws excessively. Food allergies to ingredients like chicken or beef, environmental allergies to grass or pollen, and flea allergies can all cause red, itchy, and inflamed skin on the paws that dogs try to soothe by licking.

Food Allergies (e.g., Chicken, Meat)

Food allergies, like chicken or meat, can cause your dog to lick and chew their paws excessively. If you suspect a diet-related allergy, work with your vet to identify the culprit and adjust their meals accordingly. Symptoms of food intolerance include red, itchy, and inflamed paw pads. Addressing the underlying issue promptly can provide much-needed relief for your furry friend.

Environmental Allergies (e.g., Grass, Pollen)

Other environmental allergens like grass, pollen, and dust can also cause your pup to lick and chew their paws excessively. Seasonal allergies are particularly common culprits. Watch for these signs:

• Red, itchy, inflamed paw pads
• Excessive licking or chewing, especially after walks
• Hair loss between the toes
• Recurrent ear or skin infections

If you suspect environmental allergies, consult your vet for testing and treatment options.

Flea Allergies

Flea allergies can also cause your dog to lick and bite their paws excessively. When fleas bite, they inject saliva that triggers an allergic reaction in some dogs. Effective flea prevention methods like topical treatments, oral medications, and environmental control are essential. Talk to your vet about the best flea treatment options for your furry friend to provide much-needed relief.

Symptoms: Red, Itchy, Inflamed Skin

If your dog has a flea allergy, you’ll likely notice them licking and chewing their paws excessively. This is because the flea bites cause intense itching and irritation on their skin, especially around their paws. Watch for these telltale signs of a flea allergy:

• Red, inflamed skin between the toes and paw pads
• Excessive scratching, licking, or chewing of the paws
• Hair loss or thinning fur on the paws

Injuries and Irritations

Physical injuries and irritations can cause your dog to lick and chew their paws excessively. Common issues include cuts, burns, foreign objects lodged between the toes, ingrown or broken nails, and dry, cracked paw pads, all of which can lead to pain and discomfort.

Cuts, Burns, Foreign Objects

Cuts, burns, and foreign objects lodged in your dog’s paws can cause immense discomfort, leading to excessive licking and chewing. Thorough inspection and immediate veterinary attention are essential to prevent infections, deformities, and further aggravation. Maintaining proper paw hygiene with dog-safe wipes and solutions like apple cider vinegar can help soothe irritations.

Ingrown or Broken Nails

Those sharp little nails need regular trimming to prevent ingrown or broken nails. These issues can cause discomfort, infection, and compulsive licking or chewing as your furry friend tries to find relief. Stay on top of nail care with proper trimming tools and techniques, or visit a professional groomer if needed.

Dry, Cracked Paw Pads

You’ve likely noticed cracked, dry paw pads causing your pup to lick excessively. Protect those paws with:

1. Paw moisturizers
2. Booties for walks
3. Dietary fatty acid supplements

Controlling the environment by using humidifiers and avoiding harsh surfaces minimizes paw pad dryness. Regular paw massages increase circulation too.

Symptoms: Pain, Discomfort

If your pup is licking or chewing their paws excessively, it could signify pain or discomfort from an injury. Watch for signs of cuts, burns, or foreign objects lodged between their toes or paw pads. Paw licking and chewing can provide temporary pain relief, but persistent issues require medical attention to address the underlying cause.

Parasites

Parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites can cause intense itching and soreness, leading your dog to lick and bite their paws in an attempt to find relief. These pests can irritate the skin, and their saliva and waste products can trigger allergic reactions, exacerbating the discomfort.

Fleas

You might also notice tiny black specks on your pup’s skin or in their bedding—a tell-tale sign of flea dirt. Flea infestations cause intense itching and irritation, leading to excessive paw licking and biting. Prompt treatment with flea prevention products, along with regular vacuuming and washing of their bedding, can swiftly eliminate this pesky problem.

Ticks

You’ve covered fleas, now let’s address ticks. These parasites can transmit dangerous tick-borne diseases like Lyme. Carefully inspect your pup for ticks, especially after outdoor adventures. Learn proper tick removal techniques and use preventative treatments year-round in tick-prone areas. Stay vigilant in spring and fall when ticks are most active.

Mites

Mite infestations, like mange caused by Demodex mites, scabies from Sarcoptes mites, or cheyletiellosis from fur mites, can also lead to obsessive licking and chewing. These microscopic pests:

1. Burrow into the skin
2. Cause intense itching
3. Require veterinary treatment

Symptoms: Itching, Soreness

If you notice your pup constantly scratching, it could be a sign of parasites like fleas, ticks, or mites. These pesky critters can cause red, sore, inflamed, and intensely itchy skin. Don’t let them suffer – regular parasite prevention measures are essential for your furry friend’s comfort and health.

Infections

Bacterial and yeast infections are common causes of paw licking and chewing in dogs, often occurring as secondary complications to underlying allergic disorders. Prompt veterinary attention is essential, as untreated infections can lead to further discomfort, exacerbate the condition, and potentially spread to other areas of the body.

Bacterial and Yeast Infections

You’ll also want to watch out for bacterial and yeast infections, which can be secondary conditions caused by allergies or other paw irritations. These infections often lead to itching, soreness, and excessive licking as your pup tries to soothe the discomfort. Addressing the root cause, whether it’s an allergen or injury, is critical for resolving secondary bacterial or yeast infections.

Often Secondary to Allergic Disorders

Dogs often develop bacterial or yeast infections as a secondary issue when dealing with allergies. These infections can worsen the itchiness, leading to:

• Reddened, inflamed skin
• Hair loss from excessive licking/chewing
• Oozing sores or "hot spots"
• Unpleasant odor

Seeking prompt veterinary consultation is essential to address the underlying allergy, provide relief, and prevent complications.

Behavioral and Emotional Issues

Dogs often lick and bite their paws as a self-soothing behavior to alleviate boredom, stress, or anxiety. In some cases, this behavior can become compulsive and indicative of an underlying obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), requiring professional intervention to address the root cause and provide appropriate treatment.

Boredom

You might notice your pooch licking or biting at their paws when they’re bored or lacking stimulation. Without enough playtime or exercise, pups can develop obsessive habits to occupy themselves. If your dog seems restless and is excessively grooming, it could be a sign they need more activity and enrichment in their daily routine.

Stress or Anxiety

You might notice your pup licking or chewing their paws when they’re feeling stressed or anxious. Causes can include:

• Separation anxiety
• Fear triggers (e.g., loud noises)
• Environmental changes
• Travel sickness

  This self-soothing behavior helps them cope, but addressing the underlying issue is key to stopping the habit.

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)

You might notice your pup excessively licking or chewing one area, even causing injury – this could signify obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD triggers like stress can cause repetitive behaviors. Treatment involves behavioral therapy, medication to reduce anxiety, and addressing underlying issues through positive reinforcement training and environmental adjustments.

Symptoms: Self-soothing, Tension Relief

You may notice your pup excessively licking or chewing their paws as a way to self-soothe or relieve tension. This behavior often stems from:

• Boredom or lack of mental stimulation
• Anxiety or stress in their environment
• Obsessive-compulsive tendencies (OCD)
• Underlying medical issues like allergies or infections
• Habitual behavior that’s become ingrained

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)