Is your dog constantly licking its paws? Dr. Hunter Finn reveals the likely hidden cause
While it is typically normal for your dog to use its tongue to groom itself, excessive licking of the paws could indicate you need to talk to the vet.
Dog’s tongues are an important part of their body. Beyond helping them cool themselves off, they love to lick things in order to understand the environment around them, show signs of affection while calming themselves at the same time, and to groom themselves.
The color of a dog’s tongue and their licking habits can also be a useful tool to flag the state of their health. While regular licking to groom themselves is normal, you may notice that your dog is excessively licking its paws, perhaps even chewing on them. If this is happening, it’s time to call the vet.
You can look for signs that your dog is experiencing irritation on its paws by looking for pinkish or red skin between the toes. The paws may be swollen or inflamed as well. If your dog is chewing or biting the affected area, your furry friend may develop open wounds which could become infected. Look to see if there is crusting, oozing, or a foul smell and take the steps your vet recommends to treat it to provide comfort to your dog.
The likely hidden cause your dog is constantly licking its paws
Texas-based veterinarian Dr. Hunter Finn explains in a TikTok video he posted that the most likely reason that your dog is constantly licking its paws is that it has allergies. “Dogs develop allergies to everyday things in the environment like grasses, weeds, pollens, dust, just like we do,” he says.
This is often a case of their immune system overacting to the allergen. The result is itchy skin, watery eyes, and sneezing.
Dr. Finn recommends getting ahead of the allergy season with specialized products that can help support a healthy immune system with probiotics as well as provide natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory support. But your dog’s licking their paws excessively may be the sign of something other than seasonal allergies.
Other reasons your dog is licking its paws
Besides seasonal allergies, your dog could have food allergies. It’s recommended that you speak to your veterinarian as they can work with you to follow an elimination diet to find the root cause of the allergic reaction.
Typically, this involves starting with a hydrolyzed-protein diet for a period of time around three months. Then slowly introducing single-protein foods to determine which one triggers the allergic reaction.
Another reason that your dog may be constantly licking its paws is due to fleas. “This tiny parasites have toxins in their saliva that causes an allergic reaction,” explains Highland Vet. Another sign that it is a flea infestation is intense itching. There are several products on the market today that can help keep fleas not only off your dog but out of your house.
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.