5 Reasons Why Do Dogs Bite Their Paws With 5 Solutions

If you have a dog, you must have wondered at least once why do dogs bite their paws. 

Licking your face and chewing toys and shoes come naturally to pups, just like wagging their tails, but if you notice your dog keeps licking or biting their paws, you might be concerned by the behavior shown.

The first thing is not to panic. Good news—paw licking is a regular cleaning behavior often seen in the canine community. But if you notice the pup continuously biting or licking its paws, that might indicate an underlying problem.

Occasional licking is ordinary, but intense or persistent biting could mean the dog feels discomfort from an underlying cause like pain, allergies, or anxiety.

We, pet parents, often worry too much and want to help our four-legged baby as effectively and early as possible. Today, we will discuss various reasons for this behavior and the best ways to help stop such problems.

What Does It Mean When A Dog Bites Its Paw

It is expected to ask ourselves questions like, do dogs chew at their paws? More often than not, it is nothing to worry about. Our pups use it as a self-soothing method, exploration, or simply cleaning after a long, muddy walk.

However, if your pup is doing it too often and too much (for example, they wouldn’t stop when you call them or try to distract them with food or toys) to a point where it’s causing harm, it’s time to take a closer look at the situation.

Without further ado, let’s get into common reasons dogs overly lick and chew at their paws.

Behavior Issues

If you have a dog rescued from the shelter or the street, the dog’s paw is chewing and might be coming from an emotional or behavioral problem.

Don’t get me wrong; I am not saying dogs from responsible breeders can not develop the same issues; it is just more often seen in dogs with an unknown past. They carry traumas from the time they spent in the wild.

Some of those problems include, but are not limited to:

Anxiety

Unfortunately, many dogs experience anxiety. My rescue girl has severe anxiety, and it’s an everyday struggle. Some days are good, others not so much. It’s an ongoing battle. 

Dog anxiety has no specific causes as they differ in personality and experience.

Dog body language signals are subtle and often happen quickly, so it is easy to miss them. Always take into consideration your dog’s whole body and the context of the situation that is happening.

When dogs try to find their way to cope with situations that they find challenging, they might show behaviors that would be normal but in different circumstances.

For example, they could start sniffing about something and licking or biting themselves repeatedly. They could also sleep with their bum facing you.

There are many ways to manage similar situations, like calmly moving the pup away from the worrying item or person or ending the problematic activity.

Stress

Identifying stress signs in your dog is crucial for effective management. There are many signs that dogs use to indicate stress. 

Those include pacing, shaking, whining, paw and body licking or biting, body posture, avoidance or displacement behavior, and hiding. Some dogs will even eat their own poop to indicate stress.

Understanding your dog’s typical behaviors helps determine stress from normal behavior. 

To help your dog handle stressful situations, remove the stress factor, find a calm area to regroup, and evade excessive animal comforting as it only worsens the problem.

Motivate them to perform routine commands for distraction and a sense of normality. Consistent stress guarantees a visit to the veterinarian to rule out medical issues and look for professional advice if required. 

Boredom

While we live an active life, our dogs are often at home, alone for many hours. Without proper preparation for those periods, dogs become bored.

Boredom in dogs can lead to many behavior problems like digging, destructive behavior, paw gnawing, excessive barking, etc. 

Boredom itself can also contribute to much more severe issues like obsessive or compulsive behaviors or separation anxiety.

Life responsibilities like work or school are unavoidable, but we must remember our responsibility as dog owners. Always provide your dog with mental stimulation and sufficient physical exercise so they do not get frustrated and bored.

What Might Help

You should always consult with a professional for the best chance of success. 

All these behaviors can be modified, some more simply than others. 

The best course of action would be to contact a certified dog trainer. They will be able to help you and advise you on how to ease your dog’s specific problem. 

Allergies 

Some dogs and their owners are lucky enough never to get to know the pain of dealing with allergies. Unfortunately, my little rescue girl has many of them. The irony of it all is that she is also allergic to her medication.

Allergies can have different sources:

• Environmental factors – Some household cleaning products, for example, or even laundry detergents and softeners
• Food – there are many possible food allergies like proteins (eggs or meats), vegetables, fruits, and anything can be a culprit here
• Seasonal factors – different triggers like grass or pollen can cause allergic reactions
• Fleas – The itchiness pups feel from fleas is caused by an allergic reaction 

Allergies are a common reason for dog’s paw chewing and licking. If your dog has allergies, other signs he or she will show are treatment skin and ear infections, general discomfort, itching, and redness.

What Might Help

To stop the pup from licking the affected area – get them a cone. Take them to the vet to see the next step in treating the related symptoms.

When a veterinarian wants to address underlying allergies, they will typically take a comprehensive approach. It should include medications for the allergy, injections, medicated shampoos, and even special diets.

Treating allergies also involves identifying and avoiding the allergen. Omega-3 supplements are good for managing itching and skin inflammation during this time. 

Any secondary infections will require oral antibiotic treatment.

Vets should also offer owners of allergic dogs some itch relief, like medical balms, that can help soothe the recurrent skin condition. 

Injuries And Pain

Some dogs, while experiencing pain due to, for example, arthritis or other leg conditions, might lick their paws. 

Even if the pain originates somewhere else in the body, dogs will try to solve it by licking their front paw constantly. This requires diagnosis and then later treatment by a veterinarian. 

As mentioned, occasionally licking their paws is normal, but constant and aggressive licking or chewing might be a sign of pain or injury. Other signs of pain are limping, decreased activity, and even avoidance of the stairs.

Often, the pain pups feel can come from:

• Paw pad burns – they can happen during the summer from hot surfaces or during winter due to the chemicals and salt on the road.
• Ingrown or broken nails – issues like this, or matted fur between the toes, are often the reason behind dog chewing paws.
• Stings – insects like bees can sting your pup during his or her playtime. Look for the embedded stinger if you think your dog’s right has been stung. You must remove them because they can cause allergic reactions and make your pup sick. 
• Cuts and fractures: It’s as easy for pups to cut themselves as for humans. Accidents happen quickly; if you find a cut or notice your dog might have a fracture, contact your vet for an appointment.

What Might Help 

Treatment for grooming issues is relatively easy, and it will eliminate continuous chewing. If the nail is too long, trim it properly. If your dog has mats or tangles, removing them will help relieve discomfort.

For any common injuries, you can use heating pads or ice packs to help keep your dog comfortable. If the injury requires pain medication, always consult with your veterinarian first before administering any human pills to your pet. Some human painkillers are toxic to our pets. 

Rest helps muscles and ligaments heal faster; however, convincing your dog to rest long can be tricky. During these times, the crate is a god-sent. 

If your dog limps or you notice they are uncomfortable days after the incident, agaim please go to the vet.

Parasites And Infections

The most well-known parasite among dogs (and cats) is fleas. However, various critters can cause problems for your canine’s skin and fur. 

You will notice your dog licking and chewing the paws to help ease any related itching.

Mites

Mites are critters that easily transfer between dogs. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, female mites burrow into the animal’s dry skin to lay eggs. 

The main symptom of a mite infestation is itching, but you will also notice small bumps appearing all over your pet.

Ringworm

Believe it or not, there are no actual worms involved here. 

This fungal infection occurs both inside the body and on the skin. When it happens on the skin, the circular red lesions from the ringworm can easily lead to symptoms like discomfort and itching.

Ticks

Whenever you let your dog have fun in the woods and the long grass, there is a chance they will come back with several ticks.

These tiny horrible insects bite the dogs’ (or humans’) skin, leading to soreness and itching. 

Some severe diseases like Lyme disease can be transmitted via the bite of these critters.

Infections

A number of different types of bacteria can lead to infections, while yeast infections involve a particular and specific kind of fungus. 

Pet owners must understand that yeast infections or bacterial infections of the skin are always secondary to an underlying issue. That can be an allergic disorder, for example.

If itching and inflammation cause the dog to gnaw on a specific area repeatedly, the usual flora of the skin is upset. 

That can further encourage the onset of the infection. In this case, the best action plan is to take the dog to the vet. 

Some possible treatment options are spray products, bathing, or systemic antibiotics.

What Might Help

The good news is most of these issues have a simple fix. 

Mite infestation is treated with a simple anti-parasitic wash. There are special balms and shampoos that quickly help cure your dog of any and every kind of mite. 

You can buy them in pet shops, but it’s common sense to ask your veterinarian first to make sure you are using the correct shampoo.

When we talk about ringworm, the most common way to treat it in dogs is to combine use of topical therapy (like creams, shampoos or ointments) and systemic therapy (admission of antifungal drugs to the dog orally). 

For the treatment to be entirely successful, any environmental contamination must be eliminated. 

Another easy solution while talking about ticks is to give your dog regular medication.

The medication helps stop ticks while attaching to the pup’s body, limiting the risk of disease. You can also switch the meds for a tick collar like Seresto. 

Skin problems 

Like human skin, dog skin can have many of the same issues. 

If they happen to be on the paws, these afflictions will encourage your pup to chew and lick to ease soreness, itching, or pain.

Dandruff

While we humans only have problems with dandruff on our heads, the type of dog can appear all over their bodies. 

It’s well known that this problem may occur in dogs that cannot groom themselves as well as they should, or it can result from another issue, like some allergies.

Blisters

If your pup has blisters on their paw pads, they are painful and sore. The primary cause of blisters on the puppy’s paw is when it rubs against something rough. This usually happens while walking.

If you let your pup walk during the summer heat waves, the blisters can also be related to symptoms of possible paw pad burns.

Insects

I’m sure we all know how itchy it is when a rough mosquito bites you. Our dogs go through the same experience.

Cysts

Cysts might sound scary, but they mainly occur when your dog’s natural body materials, such as skin cells, sweat, and hair, get trapped underneath the skin’s surface. 

Most are benign, but please do not try to burst or remove them yourself.

If you suspect your pet has a cyst, visit your vet, who will advise whether removal is recommended.

Hotspots

This acute moist dermatitis, called hotspots, can appear suddenly on any part of the skin. 

Unluckily for us pet owners, they are made worse by chewing and licking. That means your dog won’t do itself any favour by taking the matter into their own paws.

What Might Help

For issues like dandruff, using anti-dandruff shampoo helps. However, be careful and make sure the shampoo is made for dogs, as their skin pH differs from ours, so using human shampoos can even make things worse.

But if we are talking about your pup’s paws blisters – they need to be washed with antibacterial soap and then covered with bandages while it heals. 

If a part of the pad comes loose, go to the vet to see if it needs to be trimmed off.

You can use apple cider vinegar to stop insects from actively attacking your dog. Apply it to the dog’s coat and go to your daily adventures worry-free.

And, in the end, a well-known treatment for hot spots. It would be best if you disinfected it with a chlorhexidine solution that kills bacteria. 

Topical antibiotics, soothing reagents, and desiccating sprays will be more effective when applied to cleaned skin surfaces. Oral antibiotics may also be used to treat severe hot spots.

Protecting The Precious Paws

There are ways to keep your puppy’s paws in perfect condition and avoid issues like injury, blisters, or burns. 

If you live in a big city, it might not be a bad idea to invest in some dog booties for your pet to wear. They can protect the paw pads from broken glass on the street. 

Paw balm is an excellent idea for chapped and dry skin in your pets. Also, using pet wipes to keep paws clean can help avoid infection. 

Little things can make a huge difference in our pets’ health.

If you see an escalation in the behavior (from licking to chewing of paws), taking your pup to the veterinarian might be a good idea.

Never be afraid of asking questions or advice if you think something is wrong with your pup. If your dog chews and licks their paws to the point of disrupting daily activities or refusing safe chew toys, please speak with a professional.

Don’t forget it’s never too early to bring symptoms up with your vet, as mild symptoms can quickly progress into worse over time.

Vets can and will help you in many instances, but vet dermatologists have unique training to help manage any ear or skin condition a dog could be having.