If you have been keeping a dog for a while, you may have encounter this usual scene where the dog is licking his front paw. So you may wonder about this question. Why does my dog keep licking his paws? There could be several reasons for this, from totally innocent to quite serious.
The most innocent reason is just pure boredom. Just like we as humans may find ourself picking our nails or scratching off our nail polish out of boredom.
Dogs’ paws have a lot to endure. A dog himself does not even know what he runs over all day. Scratches, broken nails and wounds on the foot bed are not unusual to an active dog. They pick up such injuries quickly. If your dog licks his paws a lot, check them first for injuries.
If your dog licks his paws a lot, check whether there is something that makes him anxious. If they are anxious, reassure him and redirect his attention.
Your dog may be suffering from an irritating skin condition caused by an allergic reaction. In this case, your dog will lick one particular spot over and over again. This can be a food allergy or an allergic reaction to an insect bite.
If your dog licks his paw often, it could lead to an infection. If too much saliva gets between his toes and pads, this becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, leaving an infection lurking. So if your dog has a habit for licking his paw, do make sure that your dog stops licking.
As with the infection described above, your dog can get foot fungus from too much saliva between his toes and pads. Ringworm, for example, is one such fungal infection that can cause swollen toes. Your dog may also be suffering from a yeast infection. If you suspect this, go to the vet.
In the summer, the hot asphalt can cause burns and blisters on the soles of your dog’s feet. If this is the case, it should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. But did you know that the soles of your dog’s feet can also damage when it is very cold weather? When salt has been sprinkled and your dog runs over this, this can cause damage to the soles.
Ticks like to nestle in warm places, like between your dog’s toes. All that licking could mean that your dog is trying to get a rotten tick out of his skin. If you suspect this, go to the vet.
Ticks catch dogs outside. Mites do not, these are always on the skin of your dog. In principle, this is not bad at all, they keep the skin of your dog in good condition. But a few species cause irritation. If your dog has suffered from this, he will try to lick this away.