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home-improvment · 11 months

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when dog licks paws

when dog licks paws

When you lick your fingers after a delicious meal, it might be a positive indication, but for your dog, it's a different matter. Although paw licking is a typical puppy behavior and occasionally a necessary part of grooming, excessive licking in the past could be a significant health concern. Additionally, the additional moisture from the licking paws can result in a secondary infection (bacterial or yeast).

According to Dr. Kristi Flynn, an associate professor and veterinarian at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, animals with environmental allergies frequently exhibit skin symptoms rather than the sniffling and sneezing that characterizes allergic reactions in humans. Don't worry, but if your dog seems to be particularly interested in their toenails, there could be something more serious going on.

So, Why Do Dogs Lick in the First Place?

Grooming is the most fundamental habit to discuss first. Your dog undoubtedly licks their paws before taking a nap on the couch, and that is completely normal. It is an issue when this behavior becomes more extreme, and environmental factors are frequently to blame.

According to Dr. Flynn, environmental allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis, are typically the main source of paw licking. Other reasons why pets lick their paws include ectopic parasites like fleas or mites and referred arthritis pain, which causes pets to taste their feet or appendages rather than the painful joint.

The good news is that most of the causes of a dog licking its paws can be treated at home, and those that can't are frequently manageable with the aid of allergy medications that your veterinarian will recommend.

Common Causes For Paw Licking

Environmental allergies

Increased ear scratching and foot licking are typical responses to things like grass, mold spores, dust mites, and plant pollens in people with environmental allergies like atopic dermatitis. Your canine probably has an environmental allergy if you notice them licking excessively and more frequently after walks around the neighborhood or in the park. Fortunately, there are effective treatment choices for this, but rinsing the feet of pollen and other allergens is a simple first step. According to Dr. Flynn, doing this can also help eliminate bacteria and yeast, which can contribute to secondary infections. The signs of environmental allergies in canines can include paw licking, rashes, itchy skin and ears, and occasionally running eyes.

Flea allergies

The condition known as flea allergic dermatitis occurs when a dog's immune system overreacts to flea saliva. (FAD). The skin becomes irritated as a result of the allergic response, making the poor dog feel terribly itchy. Dogs frequently lick and scratch their feet and buttocks in an effort to relieve the itching brought on by flea allergies. Common signs of flea allergy dermatitis include hot areas, redness, thickened skin, and fur loss.

Food allergies

When your canine consumes food, his immune system may overreact to a protein or complex carbohydrate. This condition is known as a food allergy. A crucial distinction between a food sensitivity and a food allergy is that the latter only causes digestive discomfort while the former triggers an instant immune response. Dr. Flynn continues, "Food allergies are uncommon in dogs and typically present as itching rather than the facial swelling we see in humans. Beef, dairy, wheat, egg, and chicken are the typical foods that trigger allergies in dogs. Itchy skin, chewing, hot areas, diarrhea, and vomiting are symptoms to be aware of.

Dry skin

Dogs with dry skin experience itchy, broken, and flaky skin. (dandruff). Numerous factors, such as over-bathing, which removes a dog's natural oils, arid air, dry humidity, or the aforementioned allergies, can result in flaky skin. To keep your dog's coat healthy, it's crucial to adhere to a decent grooming schedule. You might observe general itching, redness, and dandruff if your dog has dry skin.

Injury or illness

An injury to the leg itself is another factor that might be to blame for a dog's excessive licking. Pet owners should keep an eye out for more than just allergens during the summer. Dr. Flynn adds that there are seasonal reasons of paw licking, such as blown pads, which are caused by a dog running on hot concrete or a rough surface like a tennis court and leave the surface blistered or abraded off. Additionally, road salt can irritate canines to the point where they lick their paws in the winter. Dr. Flynn points out that although paw chewing is uncommon, there are more severe reasons to be concerned, such as deep soft tissue infections, toe fractures, nail bed disease, auto-immune disease, and in very rare instances, cancer.

Obsessive and anxious behavior

Dr. Flynn advises that it's crucial to clear out any medical conditions before examining behavioral problems. In times of stress, dogs, like people, frequently look for methods to comfort themselves. According to Dr. Flynn, this behavior "can be a form of self-soothing for pain, or in some cases anxiety." Is your dog seeking this type of stress relief because of a shift in the surroundings (noises, routine, new pets, people)? Some canines experience canine compulsive disorder, a type of OCD, in addition to stress. Dogs with CCD frequently engage in compulsive behaviors like hand licking, toy or blanket sucking, tail licking, and tail chasing. To alleviate your dog's stressful and anxious behavior, try to pinpoint its origins and use redirection and exercise.

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