Why is My Dog Chewing and Licking His Paws?
Dogs May Lick or Chew a Paw Due to Allergies
Jul 24, 2009
Many dog owners will, at some point, wonder, "Why is my dog chewing his paws?" It's not uncommon to see a dog licking and chewing his paws on occasion and usually, this is not cause for concern. But in the case of a dog who chews or licks his paws for more than a few seconds and on a regular basis, this is a sign of a more serious problem.
Why Do Dogs Bite, Chew or Lick Their Feet and Paw Pads?
There's several reasons why a dog may lick or chew at his toes, the pads of his paws, and even the lower portion of the ankle. The following list details reasons why a dog might exhibit this behavior.
- Food allergies in dogs – Canine food allergies are a very common cause of licking, biting and chewing at the paws. Like all allergies, a dog's food allergy can arise very suddenly and the allergy can form in reaction to a food that the pet has eaten for years without experiencing any problems. The treatment for food allergies involves identifying the problematic food with an exclusion diet and changing the dog's diet accordingly. Prescription antihistamine medication is often used to treat the symptoms of food allergies in dogs.
- Paw pad injury – Dogs will often lick, bite and chew the foot and paw pad if they suffer an injury like a sprain, strain or an injured foot pad. A broken nail may also cause the dog to exhibit paw licking. Dog owners should always closely examine the dog's foot, paw pad, and between the toes, looking for any cuts, embedded objects, sores or swelling. Gently manipulating the paw and ankle joints, while noting any tenderness or swelling can help identify a sprain-type injury.
- Paw problems from chemical contact – If the dog walks on a recently-fertilized lawn, this may cause a form of contact dermatitis that causes the dog to bite, lick or chew his paws. In cold climates, problems can arise if the dog's paws come in contact with road salt or chemical salt melts. Road salt in particular dries the paw pads, leaving the paws more prone to drying, cracking and infection. To prevent paw injuries from chemicals, the dog's feet should be thoroughly washed with antibacterial soap and flushed if accidental contact occurs. Dog booties are a great solution to prevent paw injuries from exposure to road salt and ice melting chemicals.
- Anxiety – Anxious dogs — particularly pets who experience separation anxiety — may chew the paws or ankle area. In this case, the dog may only lick and chew his paws when left alone or when exposed to a stressful situation, like a thunderstorm. Often, the dog's veterinarian will want to rule out other possible causes, like a food allergy. Treating the dog's anxiety with medication and behavioral therapy will help stop the dog's paw licking or biting.
First Aid for a Paw Injury
If a dog is found to have a paw pad injury or broken nail, dog owners should administer proper first aid to prevent infection. A visit to the veterinarian will also be required, as a dog's feet are prone to developing infection. If more than one paw is injured, pain medication may be required since the dog will be forced to walk on injured paws.
First aid for a dog's injured paw consists of the following measures:
- Wash the paw in antibacterial soap and flush thoroughly.
- Use a clean towel to dry the paw.
- Pour an antiseptic solution like betadine (preferred) or hydrogen peroxide over the cut, sore, blister or other injury and allow the antiseptic to air dry.
- Apply a generous amount of antibiotic ointment to the paw injury site.
- Wrap the paw and ankle with rolled gauze, using a "figure 8" pattern. The rolled gauze should loop around the paw and ankle (forming a "figure 8") to prevent the bandage from sliding off.
- Cover the bandage with a sock and use a bit of tape to wrap around the sock's ankle. This will hold the sock in place, thereby keeping the bandage dry and clean.
- Bring the dog to the veterinarian for an exam as soon as possible.
In most cases, a dog's injuries should not be bandaged because this inhibits air flow and promotes infection. But paw pad injuries are an exception to this rule because without a bandage, the injured paw pad will be contaminated with debris and bacteria.
Paw Pad Injuries Due to Licking, Chewing and Biting
Some dogs will lick or chew at their paws excessively, causing secondary infections and ulcers that make the dog even more prone to paw licking. Chronic paw licking softens the skin of the dog's pads; over time, this will cause the skin of the paw pads to peel, making the foot sensitive and prone to infection.
For these reasons, it's important to take the dog to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible to prevent paw pad injuries from licking and chewing. Paw pad injuries can be very difficult to heal, particularly if more than one paw is injured.
Antibiotics and pare often prescribed for a paw pad injury. In cases where the dog is suffering from a food allergy, antihistamine medication will need to be prescribed. The dog will also require a prescription diet; duck and potato or lamb and rice formulas are commonly recommended for a dog with a suspected food allergy.
To learn more about how to prevent injuries and how to help a dog with an injured paw, read How to Prevent Dog Paw Pad Injuries in Summer Heat, along with How to Treat a Dog's Paw Pad Injury.
Since chewing and biting the paws is a common symptom of allergies, dog owners may also want to learn more about Food Allergies in Dogs.
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