Why Dogs Lick Their Paws

Dogs may occasionally lick their paws as a part of self-grooming. Even dogs that don't do a lot of self-grooming will occasionally clean their paws. If you only notice your dog licking their paws every once in a while, there's probably nothing to worry about.

It's not normal if your dog seems to be licking their paws frequently or aggressively. This is usually a sign of a health problem or a behavior issue. If you think your dog's paw licking is abnormal, the first step is to determine if there is a health problem with the paws. Dogs often lick their paws excessively if they are itchy, irritated, or painful—just like they tend to lick their wounds.

If it feels like your dog is constantly licking their paws, start by taking a closer look. Inspect the tops and bottoms of the feet, the toenails and nail beds, and the spaces in between the digits. Look for foreign objects, cuts, bruises, bleeding, swelling, redness, crusting, scabs, discharge, broken nails, foul odor, and anything else that seems abnormal. Administer first aid if necessary.

Note that excessive licking often causes saliva stains on the hair around the paws. This rust-colored staining is easiest to see where the hair is a light color. If you notice staining, it's a sign your dog is licking their paws frequently.

If your dog licks their paws excessively, it's important to contact your veterinarian whether or not the paws look abnormal to you. Your vet needs to rule out health problems before you start trying to address a behavior issue.

If all health concerns have been ruled out, your vet may suggest that it's a behavioral issue. A simple way to address behavioral paw licking is to distract your dog. Take them for more walks, play with them more often, and offer them toys to hold their focus. Don't scold them for licking, but don't reward them with treats either. Puzzle toys and food-dispensing toys are great distractions that require dogs to "work" for their food.

If these methods are unsuccessful, consider a recheck with the veterinarian to look into other causes or treatments. If the licking continues and no health concerns are found, consider behavior modification techniques to help your dog. Consult a pet trainer for help.