Every dog owner has probably seen their four-legged friend licking or biting their paws. Is this a reason to worry about the health of your pet?
While this is a common behavior for many dogs, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem that requires a consultation with your veterinarian.
Very intense licking can leave side effects, including discoloration of the skin and fur, swelling, and even bleeding.
What are the most common reasons why dogs lick their paws?
Wound
Sometimes dogs lick their paws if they get cut or scratched. Or when the pads of their paws become cracked from walking on hot asphalt, salted pavement, or when they are torn off other stuck objects. Licking wounds is a common way for dogs to cope with pain.
Unfortunately, this is not a cure, as it can cause the wound to not heal properly or even get worse. A persistently bothersome skin abrasion can quickly turn into an infected wound that will require long-term treatment.
If you notice abrasions on your pet's paws, you should report the problem to your veterinarian.
Parasites
Fleas, ticks, or other insects can cause your dog to chew on his paws. Their presence can cause annoying itching, and licking and biting the paws can provide temporary relief for your dog.
Some insects are easy to spot and kill, while others may not be noticed even if you carefully inspect your dog's fur after a walk. Using tick and flea protection can reduce the risk of your dog becoming infected with parasites.
Some of these uninvited guests carry dangerous and potentially fatal diseases for dogs - so if you notice them in your pet, contact your veterinarian.
Allergies
Poor nutrition or a change in diet can lead to symptoms of food allergies. One of these is itchy skin, which leads to chewing on fur, persistent scratching, and licking of paws.
These symptoms also accompany contact allergies, which can be caused by detergents or grass pollen. Long-term paw biting often leads to discoloration of the fur and superficial wounds, which over time can develop into serious tissue damage.
In cases where, in addition to paw bites, we notice other allergy symptoms (itchy skin on other parts of the body, stomach problems, hair loss, or skin color changes), we should consult a veterinarian. He will prescribe medications to relieve allergy symptoms and diagnose the source of the problem.
Anxiety or stress
Like humans, dogs can sense fear. When stressed, they may begin to lick their paws. Licking and biting their paws is an activity that distracts them from the problem they are facing. At first, biting paws may seem like an innocent activity. However, over time, it can turn into a habit.
In such a situation, it is important to eliminate the source of the problem (the cause of anxiety or stress) and redirect the pet's attention to other objects that the dog can easily chew, such as rubber toys, durable chewing items, such as deer antlers or special interactive toys, and you can also increase the number of calming activities offered to the dog - intellectual games.
Other Reasons Why Dogs Lick Their Paws
Of course, these are not all the reasons why dogs lick their paws. These symptoms can also be caused by more serious conditions, such as tumors that form under the skin.
However, it should be remembered that there is nothing dangerous in the occasional licking of a dog's paws - domestic four-legged animals can clean their paws in this way after a walk, or remove sand residue.
If your dog is obviously interested in his paws, you should check their condition and, if necessary, contact your veterinarian about the problem.
Previously, we wrote about how to understand that a parrot is sick, and listed the obvious symptoms.
