Shân Osborn 
Katie Dahlhausen, PhD 
If your dog is licking or chewing their paws often, there’s reason to be concerned. It’s often a sign that something is irritating, painful, or stressful for them. Obsessive paw licking can sometimes be addressed at home, but certain cases may need veterinary care.
Is it Normal for Dogs to Lick Their Paws?
Yes, to a point. Much like cats, dogs use licking as a self-grooming technique. A quick clean after a walk or before bed is normal. However, it may signal a problem if your dog:
- Focuses repeatedly on one spot, even if you try to distract them
- Licks and chews their paw so much that sores develop
- Has a limp or is walking differently
- Develops a noticeable odor coming from their paws
Paw Licking In Dogs: The Most Common Causes
It’s important to figure out why your dog is obsessively licking so you can help address the underlying cause.
Allergies
Allergies are one of the most common reasons for excessive paw licking. A dog’s skin can easily become irritated by allergens on surfaces, in the air, or in food. Common triggers include:
- Environmental allergens like grass, pollen, and dust mites
- Ingredients in dog food that they are sensitive or allergic to
- Household chemicals and detergents
If an allergic reaction is the cause, you may see signs such as:
- Dermatitis (red, inflamed, or itchy skin)
- Hot spots (red, oozy skin sores)
- Ear infections
- More licking after being in contact with the allergen (e.g., after walks or meals)
Treatment requires removing or limiting exposure to the triggering allergen. This means, of course, that it first needs to be identified by you and your vet. Then, depending on the culprit, you can help your dog by:
- Bathing them with medicated shampoo to ease itchiness
- Switching to different detergents
- Trying an elimination diet
- Adding a dietary supplement specifically designed to prevent itchy skin
Darwin, one of the Animal Biome dogs, takes Skin Rescue capsules daily. They help break the inflammatory cycle associated with seasonal allergies so that he can enjoy his walks and naps without itchy paws.
If you suspect allergies are the reason for your dog’s paw licking, read here to learn more about how to help a dog with allergies and understanding food allergies and intolerances.
Yeast Infections
Warm, moist paws are the perfect breeding ground for yeast. Yeast infections are especially common if your dog loves to swim or splash in water. Signs of a paw yeast infection include:
Mild paw yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter topical sprays, wipes, and shampoos. Severe or recurring infections will need veterinary attention. Read more about yeast infections in dogs here. Just like you might scratch at a mosquito bite, dogs may lick and chew at irritation from fleas, ticks, and mites. You may be able to find and carefully remove the parasite, but not always. The best way to prevent irritation from parasites is to keep your pup up-to-date on their flea and tick medication, and to wash bedding regularly. If their paw gets injured, a dog may suddenly start to lick it. Carefully inspect the paw for: These issues can sometimes be treated at home. More significant injuries, or even smaller ones that struggle to heal, will need vet treatment. A dog may also lick their paw if they have a muscular injury (like a sprain) to a limb. Check if your dog has a limp, has changed the way they walk, or is more hesitant to play. Older dogs with arthritis or other joint inflammation are also more likely to lick their paws in an attempt to relieve pain. In case of a suspected muscular injury or arthritis, it’s best to seek veterinary care. Not all paw licking is due to a physical problem. Licking and chewing behaviors are soothing for dogs, and they may lick their paws due to: Giving your dog a lick mat can help them safely self-soothe in times of stress or anxiety. DIY enrichment games are also a great way to lower the chances that they’ll lick their paws out of boredom. While paw licking isn’t typically an emergency, you should schedule a prompt vet visit if you notice any of the following: Regardless of the initial reason for paw licking, the rawness and sores that result can often lead to bacterial infections. An infected paw will need to be treated by a vet. A cone or bandage is often necessary to prevent further irritation of the area until it’s healed (see Archie below). To prevent paw licking from becoming a frequent issue, try to: Generalized skin issues are very closely tied to the gut microbiome, so much so that scientists have coined a term for their communication channel: the gut-skin axis. About 70% of a dog’s immune cells are located in the gut, so when there is an imbalance in the gut microbiome, the dog’s immune cells tend to be impacted as well, and this dysfunction can quickly lead to skin issues. So, supporting your dog’s gut health helps protect against both skin allergies and yeast infections. Adding a specialized supplement to their diet is especially useful for dogs with recurring or unexplained paw licking. Environmental allergies, skin conditions, and behavioral issues all require different approaches. You’ll need to find the root cause of the constant licking and treat it accordingly. Often, supporting their skin health through their gut microbiome helps. Pet parents should look for a musty or “corn chip” smell, redness, brown staining, and persistent licking. Sometimes, but check with your vet first. It may help with allergies, but it won’t fix infections, injuries, or behavioral causes. For dogs with persistent itchy skin, Skin Rescue may be a safe and dog-specific alternative to Benadryl. The first step is to figure out why your dog is licking — whether it’s skin irritation, injury, anxiety, or something else. Remember, you don’t want just to manage symptoms; you want to understand and treat the underlying issue to ensure your pet’s health. Yes. Frequent licking is a sign that something is irritating, painful, or stressful for your dog. Possibly. Boredom and anxiety are common behavioral triggers. Adding regular physical exercise and enrichment activities can help. It depends. Occasional paw chewing is a common behavior in dogs, but persistent chewing is not. Persistent chewing is a sign that something is amiss. They’re communicating that something is irritating, painful, or stressful. The most common reason for paw licking in dogs is allergies, but they can also lick their paws due to infection, anxiety, or injury. If it’s persistent, worsening, or causing visible irritation, get it checked out. If pet owners don’t find and treat the underlying cause of the paw licking, the licking itself can become a problem as well.
Parasites
Injuries
Behavioral Causes of Paw Licking
When To See a Vet For Paw Licking
How To Prevent Your Dog From Licking Their Paws
FAQs
What can I give my dog to stop her chewing her paws?
How to tell if a dog has a yeast infection on its paws?
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