Dogs need special care with food, exercise, and vaccinations. Even though they are very important, other things are often left aside and forgotten by many pet parents. Proper care of the dog’s paws, which are extremely important for their health and well-being, is one of those things.

It is one of the most important parts of the dog’s body, especially when they go outdoors. Paw pads help the dog maintain balance. They also act as shock absorbers to support the weight of their body and the impact during runs and walks. Fatty tissue mainly makes up dog paws and helps protect them from cold and heat. While paw pads withstand a lot, they are not invincible and can get injured.

Reasons Why Dogs Lick Their Paws

If a dog licks its paws a lot or even bites them, it is likely that something is causing them discomfort and pain. In this case, the necessary care is different for each possible reason.

The most common diseases and injuries in this region are:

• Infections caused by mold, viruses, and bacteria
• Burns from walking on hot surfaces
• Parasites
• Irritation from coming into contact with dirt, pollen, plants (thorns and toxins), chemicals, and deicing salts
• Irritation, dryness, or frostbite from walking in winter conditions
• Dryness and calluses
• Injuries from sharp materials

Excessive licking can also be a sign that your pet is upset about something. It can also be an indication of suffering from mental disorders like stress and anxiety. 

If you notice your pet licking their paws, it’s a good idea to inspect them for signs of injury or irritation including redness.

Proactive Dog Paw Care

Checking your dog’s paws frequently and paying attention to your dog’s signals can prevent excessive licking. To avoid problems and diseases in this region, it is necessary to understand how to care for the dog’s paws. Before anything else, hygiene should be done regularly, as well as grooming and bathing.

First, always keep their nails short and trimmed so they don’t hurt or disturb your dog. Too long toenails can also become ingrown and leave serious injuries on the dog’s paw.

Another important step is to cut the hair that is between and around the pads. Trimming hair around the paw pads has many benefits. It helps prevent the presence of bacteria and parasites and can prevent your pet from slipping.

A dry or cracked dog’s paw may be a problem. Moisturizing it with a product specifically for dogs like Heal-Care ointment promotes healing. We recommend only using a moisturizer formulated for pets as ones for human use can cause problems for dogs. The pH of human skin is different than the pH of dog skin.

In addition to these, it is essential to be careful with objects scattered around the parks and streets, which can end up hurting the paws. In case it happens, First Aid Spray may support cuts and scrapes promoting healing and irritation relief.  It is a must-have for a dog walk due to its antiseptic and skin healing properties.

Consider the weather conditions before taking your little one outside for a walk. In winter and snowy conditions, it’s a good idea to limit time outside or use booties to protect your pet’s paws. Moisturizing the paws with a proper ointment is essential to prevent drying and cracking, especially in winter.

It is common for dogs to get burns on the pads from contact with hot asphalt.

It is common for dogs to get burns on the pads from contact with hot asphalt and sidewalks. You can test the sidewalk by holding your hand on it for 7 seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your pet’s paws. In hot weather, plan your walks for early in the morning or later in the evening when the pavement is cooler. Burns cause a lot of pain and are difficult to treat. Burns can cause more serious infections because it is hard to heal as they are in constant contact with the ground.

How to Stop Dog From Licking Paws

In order to stop your dog from licking their paws, you must first determine what the cause is. Addressing the underlying issue is the best way to get results. If your pet’s paws are injured, we recommend visiting a veterinarian. They will be able to determine what is happening, as well as the safest and most effective treatment option for your pet.

For dry, red, blistered, swollen, bruised, or cracked paws we recommend Heal-Care ointment. It contains herbs that help relieve pain and inflammation, help soothe irritation, and promote healing. You can also use Heal-Care topically support sore muscles and joints.

All Clear ointment for dogs is 100% natural ointment for dry skin. It also helps with fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. Also, the anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating properties in All Clear help reduce swelling and discomfort caused by burns and may support itchy skin, abscesses, and discomfort.

The ointments are formulated to be safe for your pet to lick. Though, it may be helpful to gently wrap or cover your pet’s paws to ensure their paws can absorb all the benefits.

As we mentioned before, anxiety and stress are also problems that can lead to licking and biting the paws excessively. Matricalm is an all-natural, vet-formulated supplement that provides anxiety and stress relief. It also promotes calm behavior and can be beneficial for pets with aggression.

Final Considerations

Paying attention to your dog’s signals and always looking at the dog’s paws whenever they return from a walk may help you to be aware if anything abnormal is happening with your little one.

If left untreated, excessive paw licking can cause severe injuries. Therefore, it is extremely important that pet parents are aware of the signs, realize if there is anything unusual with their little ones, and try to understand the reasons for behavioral changes. Any sign of injury is an important reason to contact a veterinarian for proper treatment because despite looking hardy, paws are super sensitive.

Have questions about your dog’s paws? Click on the button below to start chatting with one of our pet experts. We’d be happy to help guide you and your little one.