Does your dog lick and bite their paws while relaxing at home? Contrary to popular belief, this behaviour isn't simply them grooming themselves following a walk. In fact, it's something pet owners ought to monitor closely - particularly as a vet has cautioned the habit is "not normal" and is most probably due to an underlying medical issue.
Interpreting our pets' needs can prove extremely challenging given they cannot communicate with us verbally to explain what's troubling them. Dogs, nevertheless, utilise their entire bodies and particular behaviours to express their emotions. This is precisely why monitoring your four-legged companion's actions can prove invaluable for owners and provide crucial insight into their thoughts and feelings. Once owners identify these behaviours, they'll be considerably better equipped to understand what their pet is attempting to communicate.
According to Dr Amir Anwary, a registered veterinarian, if your dog is licking and biting their paws, it may indicate something is genuinely amiss.
Why do dogs lick and bite their paws?
Dr Amir explained: "There is most likely a medical reason for why your dog is licking or biting their paws, and it needs to be seen by a veterinarian. So these are the most common reasons that your dog could be doing that and these are all treatable so you guys should pay attention to this and then do something about it because your dog is in discomfort."
"First and foremost is allergies, so this can be food allergies or environmental allergies. When we [humans] get allergies we start to sneeze or our eyes get watery. With dogs it presents in their skin so they get extremely itchy and they start biting and licking their paws a lot. That is an allergic reaction that they're having and it's extremely uncomfortable for them to deal with so you guys should definitely take them to a vet if they're doing that."
"Next guys is parasites - so ticks fleas and mites can all cause your dog to start scratching and itching. So when dogs are in pain they lick to self-soothe. So this constant licking of the paw is something we see in dogs that have arthritis. They lick directly over the joint that's causing them pain. So if you guys do have an older dog and they are constantly licking they need to be on pain medication for that arthritis."
Can dogs lick or bite their paws for a non-medical reason?
Dr Amir also confirmed that paw licking and biting can sometimes be attributed to behavioural factors, including stress or anxiety, rather than any underlying medical condition. He said: "Dogs will often lick the top of their paws as a self-soothing behaviour and that can be if they're stressed out or if they're anxious and dogs will also do this as an obsessive compulsive behaviour meaning that they may have to be on behaviour modifying drugs which you can only get at your veterinarian. So it's extremely important for all dog owners to recognise that this is not a normal behaviour and do something about it because your dogs are in discomfort."
Veterinary charity the PDSA also suggested the behaviour could stem from boredom and frustration, advising: "If it is boredom causing your dog's licking, try making them an interactive toy, such as a destruction box. Puzzle feeders are also great for giving your dog something to keep their mind occupied. You might find they also prefer a few extra walks during the day, or more playtime in the garden."
