What Does It Mean When Your Dog Licks His Paws Excessively. Pay attention and see if the licking corresponds to a certain time of year. Dogs often lick their paws excessively if they are itchy irritated or painful. The harder part is discerning the reason your dog is constantly licking his feet. 1 The dog may have stepped on something that causes discomfort like a sharp object or hot pavement.
For overly licked dog paws redness between toes may indicate a secondary infection. 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. To solve the mystery you need your veterinarian to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan. Licking their paws may help a dog feel better as the act of licking supposedly helps with reducing the level of stress hormone in the dogs body. For example a male or female dog may lick the genital area after urinating as a means of cleaning the area. If your pup licks sand or dirt off his paws when he returns indoors it should not be cause for concern.
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.
In the meantime you can learn about five common reasons why dogs start licking things more. The harder part is discerning the reason your dog is constantly licking his feet. Just a quick swipe of the area takes care of. What Does It Mean When a Dog Licks or Chews His Paws All the Time. If you notice your pet suddenly licking excessively make sure you call your vet and schedule an appointment for the check-up. Watching a pet in discomfort can be frustrating for a pet-parent to watch particularly when you have no idea what to do to help your pooch.