What Does It Mean When My Dog Licks His Paws

If the licking is limited to one paw then this often suggests that the source of trouble is right there on the paw.

Dogs often lick their paws excessively if they are itchy irritated or painful. 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. Flea allergy dermatitis often abbreviated fad. Paw licking is a common behavior in dogs but a healthy dog should not excessively paw lick and a history of excessive licking could be a red flag for a more serious problem.

An easy sign to miss but dogs licking paws is regularly associated with allergies. However when a dog licks their paws constantly or concentrates on licking just the paw area it may be a sign that something is wrong cautions ruthann lobos dvm lead veterinarian for merrick. Not only does excessive licking cause discomfort for your dog but it is often due to an underlying medical problem. Or he could have been stung or bitten by an insect or another animal.

Atopy the equivalent of hay fever in people food allergies. While it s true they might simply be grooming themselves paw chewing could indicate something more going on if they are doing it all the time. The dog may have stepped on something that causes discomfort like a sharp object or hot pavement.