04
Apr
What Does It Mean When My Dog Licks Paws. Allergic disease is rather common in dogs and is a common cause of licking and biting their paws. Or he could have been stung or bitten by an insect or another animal. Its totally normal for your dog to lick their paws occasionally as normal self-grooming especially after a muddy walk or whenever their paws might be dirty. Also if lameness accompanies this behaviour then we recommend you immediately consult the veterinarian.
Dogs often lick their paws excessively if they are itchy irritated or painful. Obsessive licking may be a sign of underlying issues including anxiety boredom or fear. Cheri Wulff Lucas a dog behavior specialist and rescuer suggests that the most common reason for dogs to lick their paws is because something is on or in them. These vital appendages are taken for granted until theres a problem then it becomes obvious how crucial they are. When dogs lick they experience a feel good sensation. However licking paws excessively is cause for concern and can indicate a number of health issues which should be addressed quickly before the licking behavior causes a hot spot or skin infection between the toes.
If your dog suddenly starts uncontrollably licking his paw this usually indicates pain.
One really common cause of biting paws is skin allergies which can cause a reaction even if your dogs paws havent actually touched whatever theyre allergic to. If you notice your dog excessively licking their paws after going for a walk it may be an allergy to something in their environment grass pesticides or plants. Your veterinarian is correct that licking can also be a sign of an underlying health problem. There is no redness or smell from either ear although one ear seems warmer than the other. Sometimes excessive licking may cause moisture to become trapped between the dogs toes creating an ideal setting for an opportunistic infection. Its not unusual for dogs to lick areas of the body that are itchy or painful.