09/28/2026
🐾 ASK THE VET - PAW LICKING🐾
Why does my dog constantly lick his/her paws? 🐶🐾
Dogs lick their paws for a variety of reasons, but allergies, infection, and behavioral causes are some of the most common.
🌿 ALLERGIES 🌳
Dogs can be allergic to grasses, pollens, trees, dust, and MANY other things in their environment. Less commonly, food allergens can also contribute.
If you notice your dog licking obsessively after coming in from being outside, try wiping their paws with a damp paper towel or pet-safe wipe right after they come inside.
If that doesn't work -- or if your pet's paws are red, oozing, or severely irritated -- it's time for a physical exam. These can be signs of a secondary skin infection.
Once we address any infection, or if there is no active infection, we have a variety of options to manage allergies - supplements, antihistamines, prescription allergy medications, long-acting anti-itch injections, shampoos, sprays, and more!
We work with you to find a treatment plan that works for both you AND your pet!
🦠 INFECTION 🔬
How would my dog get a skin infection? Don't worry, it's unlikely to be contagious!
Dogs normally have small amounts of yeast and bacteria living on their skin. However, when something disrupts their skin barrier (i.e. an allergic stimulus), this can allow those normal yeast and bacteria to overgrow.
This can make your pet itchy, leading to more licking... which causes more irritation... which can make the infection even worse. 🔄
We can treat skin infections in a variety of ways - medicated wipes, sprays, shampoos, or oral medications.
Because every pet and infection is different, we tailor treatment to your individual pet -- which is why a physical exam is so important!
🧠 BEHAVIOR 💭
Believe it or not, some dogs develop paw licking as a habit.
Some dogs do it because they are anxious, while others do it simply out of boredom.
We may consider a behavioral cause when a physical exam shows no evidence of allergy or infection, but the paw licking continues.
Depending on the individual patient, behavioral management may include environmental changes, supplements, or prescription medications.
🐾 THE BOTTOM LINE:
Paw licking isn't always "just a habit." If your dog is constantly licking their paws, let us take a look! Finding the underlying cause is the first step toward getting those paws -- and your pup -- feeling better. ❤️
