A dog's tongue is a versatile tool. They use it to taste their food, lap up water, explore their world, and, of course, give slobbery kisses. They also use their tongue to lick their paws.
Understanding why dogs lick you can offer insight into their grooming habits too. For most dogs, an occasional lick keeps their feet clean, but for others, licking their paws can become a near obsession. If your dog seems to be licking their paws more than usual, it's important to find out why, as some causes can be more serious than you think.
Common Causes of Paw Licking
A dog licking his paws can be due to a variety of causes, some more obvious than others. Just like us, they use their paws to navigate the world, and these hardworking appendages can pick up all sorts of things throughout the day. A quick lick after a walk is perfectly normal. Hours of licking that leaves fur stained or skin raw is not. If your dog keeps licking his paws, one of these causes is likely to blame.
Allergies and Skin Conditions
Allergies are the number one reason dogs lick their paws excessively. Dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin triggered by allergic reactions, can make paws intensely itchy.
Dogs can be allergic to:
Environmental triggers: pollen, grass, mold, dust mites
Food ingredients: proteins like beef, chicken, dairy, or wheat
Contact irritants: lawn chemicals, cleaning products, road salt
Paws are especially vulnerable because they directly contact allergens during walks. You may notice seasonal patterns, with flare-ups in spring and fall when pollen counts rise. Certain breeds are more prone to allergies, including Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, West Highland White Terriers, and Boxers. Talk to your vet about treatments, including allergy desensitization shots for long term relief.
Injuries and Pain
A dog's paws get into a lot of things during the course of a day, so it's no wonder that an injury could be a cause for licking. A broken nail, cut, puncture wound, or foreign object like a splinter or grass seed can all lead to lots of paw licking. Bee stings and ant bites on a dog's feet can also cause pain and irritation, as can blisters or abrasions from walking on rough surfaces or burns from walking on hot pavement.
Pain from arthritis in the toe or ankle joints may also cause a dog to lick his paws, especially in senior dogs. If your dog seems focused on one paw, or they're limping, it's important to check for injuries.
Parasites
You're probably familiar with fleas and ticks. An infestation of these nasties can cause serious itching. While the itch is typically centralized at a dog's rump, it can cause itchiness all over their body, including the paws. Even if you don't see fleas on your dog's feet, flea allergy dermatitis (a reaction to flea saliva) can trigger intense paw licking.
Other external parasites that can be a problem are mange mites. These bugs like to live a little deeper in the skin but can cause the same kind of itch. Look for scratching and skin problems elsewhere on your dog's body as additional clues.
Boredom and Anxiety
Dogs are terrific companions; they're there when we need them. But beyond companionship, dogs have inherent needs for mental stimulation and a job to do. Without these, boredom and anxiety can develop. Both issues can cause a dog to turn to self-soothing or self-destructive behaviors such as licking their paws excessively.
Behavioral paw licking often follows patterns: your dog licks when left alone, during storms, or at bedtime. If the licking stops when your dog is engaged in play or activity, anxiety or boredom may be the root cause.
Secondary Infections
Excessive licking creates a vicious cycle. Moisture from constant licking builds up between the toes, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and yeast to thrive. The resulting infection causes more itching, which leads to more licking.
Signs of a secondary infection include a musty or yeasty smell, redness between the toes, brown or rust-colored staining on the fur, and discharge or crusty buildup. This is why addressing paw licking early matters.
One Paw vs. All Paws
Pay attention to which paws your dog licks. A single-paw focus usually points to a localized problem like an injury, foreign object, or infection. If your dog licks all four paws, allergies or anxiety are more likely. Front paws only can sometimes indicate referred pain from elsewhere in the body or anxiety-based licking.
How to Check Your Dog's Paws and When to See a Vet
Start by getting a close look at your dog's paws. This can be difficult, as some dogs don't like having their feet touched, especially if they're sore or irritated. Enlist the help of another person if you need to. Just get your eyes and hands on their paws to check for an injury, swelling, redness, or anything else abnormal.
What to check:
Top of the paw for swelling, redness, or wounds
Each nail for cracks, breaks, or overgrowth
Between the toes (spread them gently) for foreign objects, redness, or discharge
Paw pads for cuts, cracks, blisters, or burns
Temperature of the paw (heat indicates inflammation)
Any unusual smell
If that doesn't give you a clue behind why your dog keeps licking their paws, start observing their other behaviors. Do they seem to lick the paw all the time or only when left alone? Are they limping or showing itchiness in other areas? Do you notice anything else off, such as a decreased appetite or fever? As you're quietly observing your pup and their paw-licking propensity, contact your veterinarian. If the licking continues or you notice other signs, it's time to get an appointment.
Warning Signs That Need a Vet Visit:
Bleeding or open wounds
Limping or reluctance to walk
Visible swelling or heat in the paw
Pus, discharge, or crusty buildup
Foul or musty smell
Brown or red staining from chronic licking
Licking that persists for more than a few days
Hair loss on or around the paw
Signs of pain when touched
Treatment Options
Treatment depends entirely on what's causing the licking.
Home Care for Minor Issues
For mild dryness or cracking without open wounds, a vet-approved paw balm can help. Wiping paws with a damp cloth after walks removes allergens and irritants. If you spot a superficial splinter, you may be able to remove it gently with tweezers.
What you should avoid: applying human medications without veterinary guidance, digging around for deeply embedded objects, and ignoring persistent licking in hopes it resolves on its own.
Veterinary Treatment
Your vet will likely get to the bottom of your dog's paw licking by doing a thorough exam on their feet and the rest of their skin. They may take some skin scrapings to check for mange or an infection, or run some blood work to rule out other underlying diseases. Allergy testing may be a possibility as well and can be done on blood or the skin.
Treatment varies by cause.
Cause | The Goal Is... | Treatments |
|---|---|---|
Injury or Trauma | Heal the wound and relieve pain | Cleaning, foreign object removal, antibiotics, pain relief |
Allergies | Reduce itching and inflammation | Antihistamines, anti-inflammatory meds, medicated shampoos, prescription diets |
Infection | Clear the infection and stop licking | Antibiotics, antifungals, topical treatments, e-collar |
Parasites | Eliminate the pests and prevent recurrence | Flea & tick preventatives, mange treatment |
Stress or Boredom | Reduce anxiety and redirect behavior | More exercise & enrichment |
Treatment Cost Estimates for Paw Licking in Dogs
Because there are so many possible causes of excessive paw licking in dogs, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. That means it can also be expensive to diagnose and treat.
Cause of Dog Licking Paws | Diagnosis Cost | Treatment Cost |
|---|---|---|
Injury or foreign object | $50-$150 (exam) | $100-$500+ |
Allergies | $200-$500 (allergy testing) | $50-$200/month ongoing |
Bacterial or yeast infection | $50-$150 (exam + cytology) | $50-$200 |
Parasites | $50-$150 (exam) | $50-$150 |
Behavioral | $100-$300 (consult) | Varies |
Costs vary by location and severity. Emergency visits will cost more.
How to Prevent Excessive Paw Licking
Prevention is always cheaper and better than treatment.
For allergies:
Wipe paws after walks during high-pollen seasons
Rinse paws after exposure to lawn chemicals or road salt
Consider booties for walks on treated surfaces
Feed a consistent, high-quality diet
For parasites:
Use year-round flea and tick prevention recommended by your vet
Groom regularly to spot parasites early
For injuries:
Avoid hot pavement (if it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for paws)
Check walking routes for glass, thorns, and sharp objects
Keep nails trimmed with regular nail trims
Use paw balm in winter to prevent cracking
For anxiety and boredom:
If you have an anxious pup on your hands, you may help calm their nerves by sticking to a schedule. Feed and walk them at the same times every day. Provide them with a safe space that is all their own so they can retreat there if they become overly nervous. Make gradual adjustments if something needs to change so your dog can get used to it. For example, if you're expecting a baby, allow your dog to get used to the new furniture, clothes, and schedule before the baby comes. Most importantly, make one-on-one time for your dog every day to reconnect with them and help reassure them that everything will be okay.
For boredom, try taking your dog for more walks or runs, offer puzzle toys and mental enrichment, and increase playtime with you and with other dogs to use up more mental and physical energy.
Sometimes a dog's anxiety can be more than what you can deal with at home. If this is the case, seek veterinary help, as medications or professional training may be needed.
How Pet Insurance Can Help
Diagnosing and treating paw licking can add up, especially when allergies require ongoing care. Dog insurance helps manage unexpected vet costs for accidents, illnesses, and conditions like skin infections or allergy testing.
Most plans don't cover pre-existing conditions, which is why enrolling before problems develop makes a difference.
An optional Wellness Rewards plan can help budget for preventive care like parasite prevention, prescription foods for allergies, grooming, and even behavioral training.