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Dog licking its paws

Written by Antoinet | April 29, 2025

Does your dog often lick its paws? This behavior can not only be annoying, but it may also be a sign of underlying issues. From irritation to health problems, there can be various causes. In this blog, we’ll explore why dogs do this and share some helpful tips.

Many dogs have the habit of licking their paws. This behavior can range from an occasional lick to prolonged and repeated licking. Dogs use their paws to explore and groom themselves, and licking can be a way for them to self-soothe or stay clean.
Paw licking only becomes a problem when it is excessive, obsessive, or prolonged. If your dog is constantly licking its paws, it can lead to irritated skin, inflammation, or even open wounds. Additionally, it may indicate underlying health issues such as allergies, pain, or stress.
When licking causes not only physical discomfort but also affects your dog’s daily life, it’s important to take the behavior seriously and investigate the cause.

What signs might you notice if your dog licks its paws a lot?

If your dog frequently licks its paws, you might notice several symptoms, including:

Excessive licking
Irritation or redness of the paw skin
Brown or reddish discoloration of the fur on the paws
Painful spots or inflammation due to constant licking
Localized hair loss
An unpleasant odor, which may indicate an infection or fungus
Your dog appears restless or stressed

Supportive Products

Possible Causes of Paw Licking

There are several reasons that can explain why your dog licks its paws. It could be a reaction to irritation, a way to relieve pain, or even a sign of stress or boredom. Allergies, skin infections, or joint problems can also play a role. Each cause requires a different approach. In this article, we discuss the most common causes, helping you better understand why your dog exhibits this behavior and when it’s time to take action.

Overgrown Nails

If your dog’s nails are too long, they can cause discomfort while walking and even lead to pain. Overgrown nails can put pressure on the paw pad or toe, which may result in an abnormal gait and excessive paw licking.
Regularly trimming the nails with a special nail clipper can help prevent this and keep your dog’s paws more comfortable. If you’re not confident doing this yourself, have a professional groomer or your veterinarian trim them for you.

Inflammation of the Nail Bed

An inflammation of the nail bed can occur due to injuries, infections, or poorly maintained nails. This inflammation causes pain, swelling, and sometimes pus around the nail bed.
Because the discomfort is often constant, your dog may be inclined to lick the affected paw in an attempt to relieve the pain. Unfortunately, this can worsen the problem if not properly treated.

A foot soak can help with inflamed nail beds by reducing swelling and soothing the skin. This may provide temporary relief, but if the problem persists or worsens, it’s important to visit the veterinarian.
A vet can determine the underlying cause of the inflammation and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Grass Seeds

Grass seeds are small, sharp seeds that can easily become lodged between your dog’s toes, especially during walks in grassy areas. They can cause discomfort, pain, or even infections, prompting your dog to lick its paws to relieve the irritation. In some cases, grass seeds can penetrate deeply into the skin, requiring medical intervention to remove them.

Stress or Boredom

Dogs that are bored, stressed, or not receiving enough mental and physical stimulation may comfort themselves by licking their paws.
This can also lead to compulsive behavior, where licking becomes a way to relieve tension.
If not addressed, the behavior can worsen and lead to excessive licking, causing skin irritation.

When there is an identifiable cause of stress, calming supplements can help promote relaxation.
If you’re unsure what is causing your dog’s stress, it’s a good idea to contact a behaviorist.
This way, you can best support your dog and work on reducing anxiety and stress.

Allergies

Dogs can be allergic to environmental factors such as pollen, grass, or dust mites, but food allergies are also quite common. These allergies cause itching and irritation, which can encourage paw licking. If you suspect an allergy, it’s important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian to also rule out infections or fungal issues.

In cases of atopy a hereditary sensitivity to environmental factors and food allergies, where the immune system reacts to certain proteins in the food, it is crucial to identify the cause. This can be done through allergy testing or an elimination diet. Only with the correct diagnosis can the appropriate treatment, such as medication or a special diet, be implemented to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Broken Nail

A broken nail is not only painful but can also lead to bleeding and inflammation. Your dog will often lick its paw in an attempt to relieve the pain, but this can hinder healing and increase the risk of infection. It’s important to have a broken nail treated promptly by your veterinarian. The broken nail will often need to be partially or completely removed.

Damaged Paw Pads

Damaged paw pads can result from walking on hard surfaces, stepping on sharp objects, or excessive activity. Walking on hot asphalt can also harm the paws.
Cracks or wounds in the paw pads can be very painful, and your dog may lick its paw to relieve the pain. However, this can slow down the healing process and even lead to infections.

If your dog’s paw pads tear easily, Kerasooth or paw wax can help keep them more supple and healthy.
These products create a protective layer that prevents the skin from drying out, cracking, or tearing.
The ingredients in these products are specially formulated to hydrate and nourish the paw skin.
Kerasooth contains soothing components that help repair the skin and paw pads, while paw wax provides a protective barrier against rough surfaces and extreme weather conditions (such as cold or heat), reducing the risk of dryness or damage.

Arthritis

Joint problems, such as arthritis, can be painful and may cause your dog to lick its paws to relieve the pain or stiffness.
Licking can also be a way for your dog to focus on the area of discomfort. These issues are common in older dogs but can also result from injuries or overuse. If you notice this behavior, it’s important to discuss it with your veterinarian and, if necessary, support the joints with joint supplements.

Skin Irritations or Infections

Dogs can develop skin irritations from various causes, such as allergies, flea bites, or abrasions.
When a dog licks its paws excessively, it can lead to secondary infections, such as bacterial or fungal (yeast) infections.
Bacteria can enter the irritated skin and cause inflammation, leading to redness, swelling, and sometimes pus.
Yeasts, such as Malassezia, are common in dogs with oily skin or allergies and can cause itching and irritation.
Paw licking can worsen these infections, further damaging the skin and creating a vicious cycle of itching and licking.
If your dog shows signs of infection, such as odor, pus, or severe redness, it’s important to consult a veterinarian promptly for proper treatment.

How Can I Support My Dog?

To help support your dog in case of itchy paws, you can take several preventive measures. Maintain good hygiene by regularly cleaning your dog’s paws, especially after walks in grassy or dusty areas. This helps remove environmental allergens in time. Additionally, using specialized skin-support diets, such as Skin Support, can help strengthen your dog’s skin. These foods contain ingredients that support the skin barrier and contribute to healthier skin overall. By regularly checking your dog’s paws for signs of damage or irritation, you can detect potential problems early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dog lick its paws so often?

Dogs lick their paws for a variety of reasons. Here are some possible causes:

Itching or irritation
Pain
Stress or boredom
Habit or compulsive behavior
Underlying medical conditions

It’s important to closely monitor your dog’s behavior, as paw licking usually doesn’t stop on its own and, in some cases, can lead to further skin problems such as infections, skin damage, or inflammation.
By identifying the cause of the licking, you and your veterinarian can take targeted action to address and resolve the problem.

How Can I Stop My Dog from Licking Its Paws?

It’s important to identify the underlying cause of the licking. This often starts with a check-up at the veterinarian.
In some cases, supportive supplements or dietary changes can help, as well as applying skin care products and providing distraction.

Try redirecting your dog’s licking behavior by going for a nice walk, offering mental challenges, giving a chew toy, or making a dog-friendly popsicle by freezing some wet food in a Kong.

When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet If It Keeps Licking Its Paws?

If the licking persists or worsens, or if you notice changes such as swollen paws, redness, odor, or signs of pain, it’s a good idea to visit the veterinarian.
These symptoms could indicate an underlying issue, such as an allergy or infection.

What Can I Do Preventively to Help My Dog If It Licks Its Paws?

To help your dog preventively, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of irritation or itching:

Clean the paws regularly: After a walk, clean your dog’s paws—especially if they’ve walked through grassy or dusty areas. This helps remove allergens and dirt that may cause irritation.
Nutrition and skin support: Feeding a diet rich in fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6 can help support the skin and strengthen the skin barrier, contributing to overall healthier skin.
Use a soothing cream, mousse, or shampoo: Products such as Maxani AtopOat and Ermidra can help soothe and hydrate the skin. These calming creams, shampoos, or mousses often contain ingredients that reduce itching and support skin repair, making your dog less likely to lick its paws.
Plenty of exercise and mental stimulation: Make sure your dog gets enough physical activity and mental enrichment. Boredom and stress can contribute to excessive licking, so providing distractions such as puzzle toys or daily walks can be very helpful.

What Food Can I Give to Support My Dog’s Skin If It Licks Its Paws Frequently?

Nutrition can play a major role in improving your dog’s skin health—especially when paw licking is related to itching or skin irritation.
There are special diets available that support skin health, often enriched with essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6. These fatty acids help strengthen the skin barrier, reduce irritation, and relieve itching, which can help decrease paw licking.

Examples of skin-supporting diets:

If you suspect that your dog’s paw licking is caused by a food allergy, it’s important to investigate thoroughly.
Food allergies can cause itching and irritation, which may lead to excessive licking. In such cases, it’s best to perform an elimination diet under the guidance of your veterinarian.
This means feeding your dog a special diet with alternative protein sources, while working with your vet to determine which ingredients may be triggering the allergic reaction.

Can My Dog Have Allergies That Cause Paw Licking?

Yes, allergies can be a cause of paw licking. Your dog may be allergic to environmental factors such as pollen, dust mites, or grass, but also to certain ingredients in its food. However, other causes may also be involved, such as arthritis, a broken or overgrown nail, grass seeds (foxtails), or damaged paw pads.