What Does It Mean If My Dog Licks His Paws

If your dog suddenly starts licking their paws then it is usually indicative of pain or irritation especially if they are licking only one paw.

If you find your dog licking excessively more frequently after trips to the park or a walk around the block it s likely they have an environmental allergy. External parasitic infections like fleas or mange or hookworms also tend to make the paws very itchy leading to excessive licking. Often times excessive licking of the paws is due to one of three underlying causes. Frequent licking can lead to skin irritation and the action could mean your pet is already uncomfortable.

Not only does excessive licking cause discomfort for your dog but it is often due to an underlying medical problem. Paw licking is a common behavior for dogs. Flea allergy dermatitis often abbreviated fad. Atopy the equivalent of hay fever in people food allergies.

This would explain why a dog may lick their paws if they are bored. Boredom actually increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol and paw licking reduces that stress hormone. When a dog frequently licks his paws they stay damp and are more susceptible to bacteria and fungi. As we have mentioned dogs may lick their paws to make themselves feel better e g.

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