If Your Dog Licks Their Paws, a Vet Wants You to Know This

If you've ever noticed your dog licking or biting at their paws, you're not alone. This is a common, yet annoying, problem that many pooches face, but it's not always easy to tell what's causing the discomfort. Unless a dog has recently stepped in something sticky, it can be hard to see anything at all!

Fortunately, this problem can be solved with a visit to the veterinarian or a few at-home remedies. Read on to discover why dogs lick their paws and what pet parents can do about it.

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws?

Unless a dog has recently stepped in something sticky or stinky, it can be difficult to tell why dogs lick or bite at their paws. Even so, dogs who lick their paws are typically experiencing itching or discomfort, so it's not a problem any pet parent should ignore.

Dr. Hunter Finn, a Veterinarian and owner of Pet Method Animal Hospital in McKinney, Texas, explains what can cause itchy, inflamed paws.

@dr.hunterfinn

Having an itchy or allergy prone dog can be very frustrating for the pet and the pet parent. Many people try so many different things that don't always work! This is why I recommend trying @Vetnique Pet Health Products Dermabliss line! #vetnique#vetniquepaidpartner

original sound - Hunter Finn

Dogs have allergies, too! Any person with seasonal or environmental allergies can sympathize with this struggle, especially during the springtime.

Allergies occur when an individual's body overreacts to harmless stimuli, like grasses, pollen, and dust mites. In dogs, this can result in a number of troubling symptoms, such as:

• itchy skin, paws, or ears
• skin redness and swelling
• diarrhea and stomach upset
• lethargy
• weight loss
• runny nose and respiratory issues
• yeasty 'corn chip' smell on their paws

For many dogs, itching is the main symptom that catches their parents' attention. Paws might become red and inflamed with repetitive licking, and hot spots can form in more severe cases. Luckily, there are many ways to alleviate your dogs' annoying allergy symptoms, even if you don't knowthe exact trigger.

How To Help Dogs With Itchy Paws

For seasonal allergies, like trees and pollen, the best remedy can be as simple as washing paws after every trip outside. This can be time consuming, but well-worth it for dogs who obsess over their itchy paws. If this doesn't make a difference, a visit to a dog's vet can help determine what topical or oral medications may help. Even dietary allergies can cause itchy, inflamed paws, so it may take some trial and error to find and treat the root cause of the discomfort.

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Allergies are never fun to deal with, but with a little effort, pet parents can help their pups feel better than ever. Paw licking will be a thing of the past!

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 8:45 AM.