If you have a dog as a pet and are worried about the Dog’s health that is in the habit of paw licking. You need not worry about it rather just follow our guidelines as described in this article so you can know ‘how to stop dogs from licking paws’.
You must understand buying a pet and leaving it without care is not an option rather you should feel an obligation to take good care of the pet’s behaviour, diet, mental and physical well-being and the reasons which lead to different health issues.
Let's first try to find out the reasons why dogs develop the habit of licking paws: -
Table of Contents
Why Dogs Do Paws Licking
Pet owners should try to know the reasons for the paw-licking habit of their dogs. These could include signs of depression, medical reasons and other health issues. Dogs could also lick their paws because naturally, they like cleaning, but you must consider if the dog is licking paws in excess. They could also have arthritis allergies, or hip issues. However, the issue of licking the paw could lead to inflammation.
How a Man Responses to Paw Licking by Dogs
People who have a dog as a pet used to see the dog in the habit of licking their paws, which irritates them, thus they usually ask questions like how they can stop dog licking paws home remedy, how to stop dog from licking paws at night, how to stop dog from licking wound and how to stop dogs from licking feet.
They have been in search of the remedies to end up with the frustrating habit of dogs licking their paws. However, it is asked by them is there any spray to stop dogs from licking paws, or which one is the best spray to stop dog licking paws, can we apply cider vinegar to stop dog licking paws, can we make use of dog socks to stop licking paws etc.
Noticeable Causes of Dog’s Licking Paws
There are several reasons for the paw-licking in dogs. Like any other disease, it also has some causes and symptoms to identify. A detailed discussion on the diseases of a dog, kept as a pet animal family has been made in another article How to Comfort a Dog with PancreatitisA detailed account of the reasons leading to the development of paw-licking order in dogs is given below: -
Allergies aggravate dog’s licking paws
Allergy is the most common cause of paw-licking behaviour in dogs. Allergies may cause irritation, itching, and behavioral problems including aggressiveness which is a great concern for pet owners and parents.
Different types of allergies could be caused in dogs by outdoor reasons, including but not limited to intake of certain food, or indoor allergens. If the reasons have been identified then due course is incumbent on the family having the pet.
The Yeast Infection
If there appears a strong red colour between the pads and toes of the pet i.e. dog; that shows there could be a yeast infection. If so, you must consider it a state of emergency for the health of a pet to decrease the chances of further complications.
Imbalances of Hormones
When your pet starts experiencing a condition associated with hormone imbalances then this may indicate thyroid issues as well as other issues related to an increase or decrease in hormone levels, which could also be a reason for depression in your pet.
Behavioral issues
When the dogs suffer from anxiety; in result whereof that could increase the act of paw licking. Such changes in the behaviour show the level of frustration the pet is undergoing; thus the dogs could find paw licking as a soothing tool when they feel boredom.
Dry Skin
In days of dry climate, you must have seen and noticed that irritation helps in drying the skin of a dog, if that occurs, the pet will be doing self-remedy of getting rid of dryness by using the method of paw licking frequently.
Injury Resulting in Paw-Licking Behavior
If the pet has come across some kind of accident in which he suffered any injury that could also aggravate the necessity of paws licking by the dog. Remember! Any cuts or bruises could cause this problem to happen throughout your life. However, meeting with a medical specialist is always fruitful and advising to restore your health.
Over the counter Prescriptions and Medicines
The vet could also recommend any of the medicines to deal with allergy issues. Medicines help in recovering from allergy issues. Such medicines may soothe the paws but only on a short-term basis but the side effects could be serious. Therefore, natural remedies are preferred as compared to medicinal alternatives.
Solutions to Control Dog’s Paw Licking
Paw licking may be normal, which is not crucial to discuss; however if the issue increases, then that is something which a pet keeper should be concerned about. The issue should be examined deeply by analyzing the dog’s behaviour and the consequential impact. However, we have divided the solutions into two kinds i.e. Vital intakes and usage of external add-ons.
Essential Intakes to control paw licking:
Let's start with the internal deficiencies, which result in changing the behaviour of a dog starting with the paw licking.
Changes in the Diet Plan
Diet plays a crucial role in health issues and changing the psychology or strengthening the body of a creature whatever it may be. It has also been traced that paw licking also occurs due to food allergies. If you don’t find anything wrong with your dog but still find him licking the paws then there could be some issue with any of his food.
It can also be due to the extended use of similar food for the dog for a specific period. Food issues make the dogs experience itchiness but they are lazy in showing the impact of the food quickly. They could demonstrate issues of intestines due to food intake but at a bit later stage in time.
Therefore, allergies are expected to develop in dogs without any notice or quickly responsive remedies to combat the rising medical issue. After noticing the issue, changing the food of the dog by providing him with multiple ingredients of food including the protein could reduce the chances of allergies.
Vitamin E Addition
The significance of Vitamins as a source of treatment to help boost skin protection and health cannot be left unattended. Continuous itching could also be an indication that the pet is having less vitamin E intake through food sources.
If it stands proven, the addition of vitamin E is beneficial either if it is taken alone or along with some supplement. However, it must be borne in mind that excess of everything is harmful, therefore, vitamin E should also be given in appropriate quantities and also in the light of advice from the medical officer.
Addition of Fish Oil to Dog’s meal
If fish oil supplements are added to the routine menu of the dog, then it will also be a step towards treating the skin and coat issues of dogs. The pet food could not provide everything that is needed by the dog, thus some additional items to be added. It has been learnt that most of the time, dog meals lack fish oil inclusion.
Intake of Probiotic
If allergies have been found the reason for the pet’s itchiness of paws leading him to keep licking them, then using probiotics will be a good option. There is required a holistic approach while dealing with the problem otherwise it could convert into aggravated form.
Avoid Vaccination to stop dog's paws licking
The primary reason for the health complications in dogs is over-vaccination. This could also be a cause of change in the dog’s overall behaviour. In the form of over-vaccination; the medical conditions aggravate further than providing relief to patients.
Apply External Methods to Eradicate Paw Licking of Dogs
Following are the external methods which you can apply to solve the issue of dogs paws licking. Find below the details of the main methods for further necessary action:
Use Balm
Balm includes wax and natural oil with an advanced formula to provide protection and a soothing effect to the dog’s affected cracked paws either due to dryness or excessive licking.
Apply Tea Tree Oil
You can also make use of the tea tree oil, which has special properties. To apply this method, one should have 3 tablespoons of tree oil mixed with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, mix and apply on the affected area of irritation in the pet’s paws you will be surprised to see the results. The process needs to be repeated for a few days.
Make use of Apple Cider Vinegar
Using apple Cider vinegar to solve the problem of dogs licking their paws may have positive effects on reducing the need for licking paws. The dilute acetic acid present in the apple Cider also has the capability to kill any fungal presence.
With a specific ratio of 1:2, vinegar with water should be diluted for the dog’s treatment to make it consumable for the dog easily. This solution then should be applied twice a day to the dog’s feet by soaking the feet in vinegar for 5 minutes.
Use Baking Soda
Using baking soda to treat inflammatory problems has always been treated as one of the well-tested compositions. The baking soda also contains antifungal properties for canine issues. For this purpose, the use of water with baking soda may be made to make a specific type of paste applied to the dog’s feet.
This procedure should be exercised for an hour. Although it takes considerably more time the techniques are very beneficial, which not be ignored due to the paucity of time. As the procedure is well tested, supposed to render good effects by keeping the dog away from licking his paws.
Use Honey
Honey contains antibacterial characteristics besides low Ph and hydrogen peroxide. These characteristics reduce bacterial growth. Honey is considered a safe treatment due to its non-toxic nature to prevent bacteria in the paws due to licking, therefore honey could be applied to the paws.
Use Shampoo as an Option
Different types of shampoos are available in the market for the treatment of itchiness. The shampoos, which have been made to eliminate the issues of itchiness contain oatmeal benefiting in alleviating such problems in dogs.
With the use of shampoo, excessive baths for the pet can be controlled in order to avoid dryness of the skin, which irritates the pet more. Don’t forget, there are specific breeds of dogs, which require increased baths otherwise they become smelly and dirty then you can develop some other flexible plan for them.
Ticks and Flea Treatment
Mostly, ticks and fleas could be observed easily in dogs but it doesn’t happen necessarily. However, some breeds are strongly allergic to ticks and fleas. Fleas could be difficult to spot if they are less. Their presence increases itching. Treatment will be needed if fleas are observed.
Use Safety Boots
Apart from the medical issues and allergic problems leading to itchiness or causing the dog to lick his paws, the use of safety boots to keep paws protected is a new but effective move. This eliminates the chances of more damage to his paws.
Epsom Salt Soak Treatment
To relieve inflammation, itching, and pain, Epsom salt treatment could also play a crucial role in the recovery of the paw-licking behaviour of a pet. Use lukewarm water in a tub in which you will cover the paws of the pet for some considerable time to let the above-affected layer feel comfort and rest. Then add Epsom salt and stir well before making the dog stand in water.
The Coconut Oil
Coconut oil could be advantageous in the skin problems and paw-licking behaviour of the dog. Coconut oil could also heal skin irritations if not very old. A massage of coconut oil on the paws could certainly provide a soothing impact on the dry skin.
Help to treat the Anxiety
In some cases, paw chewing could be due to elevated levels of anxiety in dogs. To find out about anxiety, one must contact a nearby vet so he can investigate the problem of anxiety in dogs. It has been settled in the research that the symptoms of howling, barking, panting, digging, running, pacing and some weird behaviours could be the reason of anxiety in the pet.
Before the dog harms himself, a vet has to see all such behaviours and will see the options available for treatment. When dogs suffer anxiety, some home remedies may include changing their clothes or leaving the TV for them. This would calm the dogs to some extent. However, the rest of the treatment could be prescribed by a physician.
Proceed for Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an effective treatment when the dog has been found with a habit of licking his paws. It is practically observed that the level of anxiety and fearfulness varies in dogs once acupuncture is used for 24 hours. The effect of environmental allergies will be treated back to the original level as required in the pets.
Turmeric Treatment
Turmeric as a treatment is a good option when the arthritic pain in dogs forces them to lick their paws or this could also be due to a cut or a wound. The primary component present in turmeric is curcumin which helps heal wounds and diminish Inflammation. It also increases the level of oxidation.
The use of turmeric has substantial advantages for the dog’s overall health in any chronic injury, inflammation, allergies or arthritic pain. One should make a paste of turmeric powder mixed with some coconut oil and apply it gently on the affected area to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.
Once the process has been completed; now just wrap a bandage over the affected area so that the effect could be visible for some days. Reapply the same on a daily basis till the wound or cut is healed.
Apply Aloe Vera Solution
To avoid licking paws by your dog; you must use a solution; made using the Aloe vera gel to soothe the dog’s skin from irritation. Aloe vera gel reduces irritation and itching of the skin and relieves the ill- effects of skin issues.
How to Avoid Itchy Paws – Precautionary Measures
There are different actions through which the pet parents could avoid the itchy paws problem in dogs.
Conclusion
Pet care is a very time-consuming process. If you get into it then you are supposed to provide what she stands in need for. If the dog ‘pet’ gets affected by any disease then you must do a routine check-up, good care of health, diet and cleanliness.
You must know the deficiencies in dogs leading them to paws licking and also the methods, which could be applied to end them up with the dogs licking paws. Thus, the question of ‘how to stop dogs from licking paws’ becomes relevant.
When the pet keepers regularly look after the health and behavioural issues along with inspecting their reasons such as in the case of the paw-licking habit of the dog, only then good health and care be guaranteed two after spending of certain period of rehabilitation.
In short, one should apply home remedies first, if not effective, then visit your VET. Keep your pet in dry climates and if you are living in humid climates then it is the responsibility of the owner to look after the hazards imposed by humidity on the pet’s health in the form of allergies, bacteria or infections. In that case, always keep your dog’s feet dry with a dry cloth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
What can I put on my dogs paws to stop licking?
There are multiple ways to control your dog from licking paws; however use of balm, or any other moisturizer can be very effective in removing the dryness etc.
Will Benadryl help dog licking paws?
If it is noticed by the pet keepers that the dog is suffering from any allergy then they are supposed to provide an anti-histamine dose. In the same way, using Benadryl to control a dog’s itchy paws is also an effective means.
How can I soothe my dogs' itchy paws?
To quickly address the issue of a dog’s itchy paws; you can get help from Aloe Vera, which is considered a strong healing agent with the properties of cooling and soothing able to extract heat from the dogs’ itchy paws. However, it must be kept in mind that it should not contain alcohol.
Can I put socks on my dog to stop licking?
You can opt to provide socks or even booties to your dog so to keep them as a barrier to excessive paw licking by the pets. It must be kept in mind that the socks should be enough in length to cover the affected area so even the surrounding wound cannot be licked by the dogs.
