Why do dogs chew their paws?

Updated 11/12/2023

We don't want to start off on the wrong foot - it’s totally normal for dogs to lick their paws a few times a day as part of their normal grooming routine. But if your dog’s paw chewing seems excessive or out of character, it may be a sign there’s an underlying issue, such as an injury, allergy, or anxiety.

For pooch parents, dog sitters, and anyone else who’s asking the question “why do dogs chew on their paws?” we will dig deep into some of the common triggers - and how to stop them. 

Why do dogs lick their paws? An expert’s view

To nail down your question - why do dogs lick their paws - we spoke to Dr Marc Abraham OBE - a multi-award-winning veterinarian, author, broadcaster, and animal welfare campaigner - with a treasure trove of knowledge on our canine friends.

Take a look below to find out his opinion on why dogs lick their paws.

“Some of the most common reasons for this behaviour include environmental or food allergies (you may not think so but please ask your vet to rule out), fleas or other parasites (make sure you’re using prescription flea and worm treatments from your vet and also treat your house), boredom and stress can sometimes manifest as paw licking, foreign bodies such as grass seeds or splinters, cut or grazed pads, and finally either one or both full glands in their rear can often cause dogs to lick their paws in sheer frustration. 

Moving forward, I’d definitely ask your vet to work through the above list, examining your [dog] thoroughly all over, and maybe consider employing a qualified canine behaviourist if there’s nothing obviously medically wrong. 

If it’s boredom or anxiety driven, then perhaps providing more enrichment, such as interactive toys or calming plug-ins respectively, could help.”

For more expert insights from Dr Marc, head over to our community forum Q&A and explore Marc’s blog on the bond between dogs and humans.

Reasons dogs chew their paws

1. Dog chewing paws to clean

Pups often lick their paws to clean themselves, digging out the bits and bobs that have become stuck between their fluffy toes. This is a natural part of their grooming routine - rather them than us! 

2. Dog chewing paws due to injury 

If your pooch appears to be licking its paws constantly in one particular spot, this could mean they have an injury. Inspect your dog’s paws for cuts, stings, blisters and torn nails, especially if they start licking their paws immediately after an outing. As they are essentially walking around barefoot, injuries can be caused by thorns, shards of glass, splinters and stones. 

Occasionally, paw chewing can be a sign of disease of the bones, such as osteoarthritis. Even if the pain does not appear to be coming directly from the paw. If you suspect an orthopedic condition is the cause of paw licking, take your dog for diagnosis at the vet.

3. Dog chewing on paws due to allergies 

Another common reason dogs lick their paws is due to allergies, especially when combined with itching in other areas and redness or hair loss seen on any areas of the skin. However, narrowing down exactly what your pooch is allergic to isn’t always straight paw-ward - it could be an ingredient in their food, something they’ve rolled in, or maybe they get seasonal allergies just like us! Thankfully your dog's vets will have the skills needed to work through these possible causes and relieve your dog's itchy feet. 

4. Dog chewing paws raw due to skin problems

If you’ve ruled out the top causes, skin conditions like dermatitis and dry skin may be the cause of paw chewing. Allergies are often the trigger for skin problems like these and will cause the area to be red and inflamed.

5. Dog chewing on paws due to parasites 

Parasite infections like ticks, fleas, and mites can make your pup’s paws very itchy and uncomfortable. These little pests are difficult for us to spot, but your pooch pal may try to nibble away at the itchy sensation of parasites crawling across the skin between their hairs. 

6. Dog chewing paws due to boredom or anxiety 

If none of the above applies to your four-legged friend, your dog may chew or lick their paws because they’re sad. Pent-up energy can lead to boredom, anxiety, and even depression, so it’s important to give your pup enough exercise and mental stimulation. If your pooch is licking their paws more often when you go out, it may also be a sign of separation anxiety. 

How to stop your dog from chewing their paws

If you notice your dog licking their paws more than normal, keep a close eye on them. Excessive moisture can lead to your dog developing yeast or bacterial infections, but stopping your pooch pal from licking its paws is easier said than done! We recommend examining their paws to look for signs of the causes above and treating the root of the problem as early as possible. 

Use an Elizabethan collar to stop your dog itching at the feet whilst waiting for your appointment. Bathing the feet in soothing dog friendly shampoos such as colloidal oatmeal can also bring relief to itchy feet. Just remember to dry the feet well after bathing.  

When should you take your dog to the vet?

If the paw chewing seems excessive or out of character, especially if combined with other symptoms, such as a bad smell, bleeding or discharge of any color, head to the vet. If you see something stuck in the paw, again contact your veterinarian. Your vet will choose the correct course of treatment based on their diagnosis. 

Treatment and remedies for paw chewing in dogs 

Getting the correct treatment for your pup's itchy paw is crucial for a quick recovery. There are some paw-chewing remedies you can try at home, but the vet will help you to decide how best to treat the cause, from changing your dog’s diet to prescribing medication. 

1. If your pooch has an injury or something stuck in its paw pads, you or your vet will need to remove the perpetrator first. Then clean the injury with dilute salt water and allow the wound lots of air to dry and heal naturally. We know they hate them, but your pup may need to wear a cone to prevent them from continuing to lick the wound. Licking a wound can introduce infection, and result in longer healing times. 
2. If the cause of paw chewing is allergies, of course, the best thing to do is to try to avoid the allergen. If you discover your pooch has food allergies, you may need to put them on a special diet, and if it’s an environmental or seasonal allergy, washing and drying your pup’s paws when they come inside after a walk or playing might help to alleviate the discomfort. Either way, the vet will be able to prescribe your pup anti-allergy medication if necessary. 
3. Skin conditions like dermatitis should be treated with steroids to prevent itching, and antibiotics or anti-allergy medication may also be prescribed by your vet. Some pet owners will give antihistamine medication, but this has been shown to be not that effective in dogs for itchy skin so it's best to get medication directly from the veterinarian. 
4. Your vet will provide treatment to remove parasites and you can help to prevent them in the future by regularly applying flea and worm treatment at the scheduled times, if unsure check with the vet for advice on your particular products. .
5. Before prescribing medication for anxiety, your vet may recommend increasing the amount of exercise your pooch gets as well as concentrating on some basic training to help relax your pup. 
6. If the paw licking leads to an infection, your vet may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medication.
7. Keep your dog's nails short and regularly have them trimmed. Long or overgrown nails can cause a source of irritation to dogs, and can cause them to itch or lick at long nails that have split or torn. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

So, why do dogs chew their paws? Well, it’s clear paw chewing isn’t just an itch your pooch wants to scratch. To learn more about some of the weird and wonderful habits of our four-legged friends, find out why dogs show their bellies and how to stop your dog from digging.