If you suspect that your dog does have allergies that is causing him to lick his paws, why not consider a simple allergy test? The test was developed to measure the highest level of accuracy, approximately 100 of the most commonly known allergens that your pet may be reacting to. We test foods and environmental factors and you will also find out which popular supplements and every-day household products your pet may be allergic to. Done in the comfort of your own home, and non-invasive. Have a look at our website for more information. www.muttmix.co.za
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Could it be allergies that are causing my dog to lick his paws,
or could there be another reason?
by Scotty Valadao - Canine Behaviourist - www.friendsofthedog.co.za
or could there be another reason?
by Scotty Valadao - Canine Behaviourist - www.friendsofthedog.co.za
Dogs lick their paws on a regular basis for self-cleaning, especially and after having been for a walk in the grass. They could have picked up pollens, grass seeds, paw is dirty and so on. If your dog is licking after a walk, clean the paws with an unscented baby wipe, cleaning the whole paw, and also going into the space between the pads, or just give a quick wash with some of your dogs usual shampoo, paying attention to the areas mentioned above.
However, if the licking has become excessive, there could well be an underlying reason as to why the behaviour has increased and here are the 3 most common reasons.
Allergies
It could well be that your dog is developing an allergy. This could be to pollens or moulds or may even be food related. You may think that you have not changed your dogs food, however, allergies do not always happen immediately, they can develop over a period of time, and sometimes years after the dog has been on the same food. He may well of have had a mild intolerance to an ingredient in the food, that is becoming a full-blown allergy, or there may be a parasite that is causing the condition. It is always a good idea to have an allergy test done (locally, offered by Muttmix), so that you can determine exactly what the allergy is. Alternatively, do visit your vet.
Behaviour Related
If your dog is bored, frustrated or stressed, they may start to lick their paws excessively. This condition is known as Acral Lick Dermatitis, or Lick Granuloma. It is normally only the front of one paw they will lick, and more often than not, it is usually on the lower part of the leg, either the wrist or carpal joint. It is hard to understand that a dog can lick itself raw on purpose, however, it is believed that the licking helps to reduce the stress, plus with a dog that is really bored, it gives it something else to do – this behaviour can become really obsessive, so the sooner it is attended too, and the reasons for it occurring, the better.
Your first step is to determine if your dog is receiving sufficient mental and physical stimulation, to leave it with chew toys to keep it entertained while you are out, and to ensure that the dog is receiving sufficient social interaction. If not, remedy what is missing.
Simultaneously, make an appointment with your vet so that the sore can be attended too. As this has become a possible compulsive behaviour, in addition to meds and treatment, your dog may have to wear and Elizabethan, or Head Collar to prevent him licking. The standard Elizabethan collar can be very restrictive, and we have put in an article at the bottom for you to find some other ideas.
Pain
A dog may not actually be limping or have a cut or sore that you can see, however, there may be an underlying reason as to why the licking is occurring and is causing pain, which could be a sprain, torn nail, or a growth. He could have stood on a stone and bruised the underlying area or been walking on a pavement or road that was too hot, or even stung by an insect.
Your first step is to examine the whole area including the nails and the skin next to the nails and see if you can determine what is causing the licking. If the behaviour does become excessive it can result in Acral Lick Dermatitis/Lick Granuloma, so do get your dog to the vet before the behaviour becomes excessive.
However, if the licking has become excessive, there could well be an underlying reason as to why the behaviour has increased and here are the 3 most common reasons.
Allergies
It could well be that your dog is developing an allergy. This could be to pollens or moulds or may even be food related. You may think that you have not changed your dogs food, however, allergies do not always happen immediately, they can develop over a period of time, and sometimes years after the dog has been on the same food. He may well of have had a mild intolerance to an ingredient in the food, that is becoming a full-blown allergy, or there may be a parasite that is causing the condition. It is always a good idea to have an allergy test done (locally, offered by Muttmix), so that you can determine exactly what the allergy is. Alternatively, do visit your vet.
Behaviour Related
If your dog is bored, frustrated or stressed, they may start to lick their paws excessively. This condition is known as Acral Lick Dermatitis, or Lick Granuloma. It is normally only the front of one paw they will lick, and more often than not, it is usually on the lower part of the leg, either the wrist or carpal joint. It is hard to understand that a dog can lick itself raw on purpose, however, it is believed that the licking helps to reduce the stress, plus with a dog that is really bored, it gives it something else to do – this behaviour can become really obsessive, so the sooner it is attended too, and the reasons for it occurring, the better.
Your first step is to determine if your dog is receiving sufficient mental and physical stimulation, to leave it with chew toys to keep it entertained while you are out, and to ensure that the dog is receiving sufficient social interaction. If not, remedy what is missing.
Simultaneously, make an appointment with your vet so that the sore can be attended too. As this has become a possible compulsive behaviour, in addition to meds and treatment, your dog may have to wear and Elizabethan, or Head Collar to prevent him licking. The standard Elizabethan collar can be very restrictive, and we have put in an article at the bottom for you to find some other ideas.
Pain
A dog may not actually be limping or have a cut or sore that you can see, however, there may be an underlying reason as to why the licking is occurring and is causing pain, which could be a sprain, torn nail, or a growth. He could have stood on a stone and bruised the underlying area or been walking on a pavement or road that was too hot, or even stung by an insect.
Your first step is to examine the whole area including the nails and the skin next to the nails and see if you can determine what is causing the licking. If the behaviour does become excessive it can result in Acral Lick Dermatitis/Lick Granuloma, so do get your dog to the vet before the behaviour becomes excessive.
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