How to Know If Your Dog’s Licking & Chewing is a Problem
There are several reasons a dog may chew their paws such as dry skin, wounds, growths, irritants like burrs or ticks, anxiety and allergic skin disease.
Whatever the cause of the irritation, paw-chewing can lead to pain, limping and secondary yeast or bacterial infections.
Why Dogs Lick Their Paws
Dogs can occasionally lick their paws as a part of self-grooming. Even dogs that dont do a lot of self-grooming will occasionally clean their paws. If you notice your dog licking its paws every once in a while, then theres probably nothing to worry about.
It is not normal if your dog seems to be licking its paws frequently or aggressively. This is usually a sign of a health problem or a behavior issue.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/why-is-my-dog-licking-his-paws-3384908-5ca908a8d720458bb431fcc49ec0774a.png)
An Easy & Natural Strategy to Reduce Licking, Itching and Chewing (…that most dog owners don’t know!)
If your dog is excessively licking or scratching themselves, their diet may be deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, often referred to as essential fats. Omega-3 fatty acids (from sources such as krill) benefit your dog’s skin by helping to keep their own natural oils at healthy levels and acting as anti-inflammatories to reduce the intensity of allergens.
Many pet owners incorrectly assume that their dog’s food contains sufficient omega-3’s for their diet. Unfortunately, studies have shown that even when premium dog food brands put a small amount of fish oil in their formulas, the fragile oils are destroyed by the extreme heat required to cook kibble. Even if the fragile fats survive, they often go rancid the moment the dog food is exposed to oxygen.
For these reason, omega-3 supplements are the second most popular supplement giving to dogs (behind glucosamine and joint related supplements). A recent iHeartDogs poll showed that 29% of pet owners currently give an omega-3 supplement to their dogs on a daily basis.
Dog Excessive Paw Licking: Stop It With Natural Recipe
Should you be worried? Well, it depends. Excessive paw licking can happen for many reasons, including pain, injury, and, in some cases, behavioral issues — though some dogs may be more prone to nervous grooming than others.
Whatever the cause, identifying the issue before complications arise is key, Dr. Emily Wilson, a verified veterinarian with Fuzzy, said.
Because pets cant explain whats wrong, paying attention to new and unusual behaviors like excessive paw licking can help you take steps to address those concerns promptly.