Have you ever wondered the reason behind the dog licking its paws? Sometimes it is normal for the owner to interpret it as a natural behavior and not to worry. Therein lies the mistake: when the dog keeps licking its paw without stopping this may indicate something more serious, such as a health problem. Every canine action has an explanation and, if it is not the case of a disease, it is a matter of behavior or a health problem.To better understand why dogs lick their paws, we talked to two owners who have experienced the situation and gathered other possible causes for the problem. check it out!

Emotional problems are the most common causes of dog licking its paws

Anxiety in dogs, as well as stress, are common problems and are often among the main reasons why the dog licks its paw. Emotional disorders can happen for various reasons. Canine anxiety usually manifests itself mainly when the dog spends many hours alone and has no physical or mental stimuli in its daily life, resulting in exaggerated reactionsIn addition to the dog licking its paws, other signs of the problem are crying, howling, irritation, barking and destruction of furniture. All this happens mainly when the guardian leaves the house or does not give the proper attention to his doggy on a daily basis.

Stress, on the other hand, is triggered by different triggers - such as moving house, a new member of the family or very loud noises - and can leave the dog licking the wounded paw or biting the area frequently. Both licking and biting are a warning sign because, in addition to psychological damage, wounds on the dog's paw favor the development of inflammation and other diseases.problems in the region.

The story of Lola, Marcella Castoldi's dog, is a typical case of a dog licking its paws because of anxiety. The guardian noticed some time ago that the dog licked the area so much that the dog's paw was red between the toes, with irritation and bruises on the pads. "At first, we thought she licked herself for the bruises. We started to observe if it wasn't something like that.She was licking herself so much that she was hurting her paws. That's when we realized that the licking attacks were more frequent when she was thwarted or didn't receive attention," she says.

Bruce, Cláudia Fernandes' dog, went through a similar situation. The difference is that the reason for the dog licking his paws was stress, not anxiety. After observing Bruce's atypical behavior, Cláudia noticed that the region began to darken. Bruce began to whine and bite the place, as if he had an itchy paw. "At first, he wasdiagnosed as atopic dermatitis. It could be an allergy to cleaning products or to the shampoo used in the bath. We did several actions, but the allergy did not stop, and then came the diagnosis of stress," he explains.

If the dog licks its paw until it hurts or bites it frequently, it is best to seek help from a veterinarian. In some cases of dogs licking their paws a lot, certain medications may be indicated to improve the situation, such as corticosteroids or the use of florals for anxiety. Dog paw sprays are also an alternative that helps to temporarily alleviate licking. It isit is important that the animal is accompanied by a specialist throughout the treatment.

Why do dogs lick their paws? See other causes of the behavior

Other factors that can explain why dogs lick their paws are skin diseases, burns and the presence of foreign bodies. The infestation of parasites - such as fleas and ticks - in the area is also something that usually bothers a lot and causes a lot of itching in the dog's paws. Below, see how each of these problems can manifest and what to do when a dog licks its paw.in such circumstances:

• Parasites:

The existence of fleas and ticks on the animal may be the reason why dogs lick their paws. When the parasites bite at the ends of the pads, they can generate uncomfortable sores that dogs try to relieve with their licks. To put an end to the infestation, flea and tick remedies are the most recommended. In some cases, the foot bug can also be the cause of the itching. If this happens, theconsultation with the veterinarian is indispensable.

• Burns:

Sometimes dogs lick their paws because they feel pain. When walking, if the asphalt is hot, they can burn the pads and licking is the alternative they find to alleviate this. To alleviate the problem, dog paw moisturizer is a great ally. And remember: it is important to choose less hot times to walk your dog to avoid burns.

• Allergies and skin problems:

Several types of allergies and dermatitis can cause itching in the dog's paws. Canine atopic dermatitis, for example, is a very common disorder in dogs and happens after contact with dust mites, dust or cleaning products. It is a hereditary disease that needs treatment throughout the animal's life with the help of a veterinarian and specific products. Another concern is the atopic dermatitis.moist dermatitis in dogs, characterized by lesions with an inflamed and moist appearance. To treat it, topical medications and cleaning the injured dog's paw are important precautions.

• Presence of foreign body:

In addition to burns, during walks there is also the risk of something getting stuck in your pet's paw (such as glass, wood splinters or pebbles). This can cause a lot of discomfort in the animal, being one of the reasons why the dog bites the paw in an attempt to remove the foreign body from the pads. Another sign that may indicate the problem is when the "salty" smell of the paws of the dog is very noticeable.To reverse the situation, the ideal is to remove the object with the aid of tweezers or seek a veterinarian to do so.

Dog biting its paws: what if the habit continues even after treatment?

Dog paw licking (or biting) is often a behavioral problem that needs the advice of a specialist. A suspected allergy or skin problem is not always the real reason why dogs bite their paw, as in Bruce's story. Therefore, observation and follow-up of each case is essential to find out what should be done.

When psychological disorders, such as stress and anxiety, are responsible for making your dog lick his paws compulsively, there are some tactics that help prevent this type of attitude.

- Environmental enrichment: a dog that doesn't get bored is a happy dog, and for that it's worth investing in smart walks and toys that will stimulate your furry one to hunt for his own food.

- Day care or dog walking: For those who don't spend much time at home, doggy daycare is a good option. There, your furry one will be distracted by activities and the presence of other animals, and will not take it out on the paw. If it is not a viable option, a dog walker can help to spend the accumulated energy of the pet.

- Avoid cleaning products that are harmful to pets: dogs are always in contact with the floor and can get intoxicated with cleaning products that have a lot of chemicals. In this case, it is worth investing in products suitable for dogs, which have ingredients that do not harm animals.