It is normal for dogs to lick their paw sometimes in a controlled amount but when things get out of hand, it’s time you treat it by visiting a vet.Over the years, many dog parents have wondered what suddenly changed that led their dog to constantly chewing its foot. Through this article, you will learn underlying causes for a dog biting its paws and when it is that things are beyond normal.First of all, you need to understand the difference between when this is normal and when it gets serious. Occasional licking or chewing for the purpose of cleaning is not a cause for concern but repeating the same excessively is a red flag. There are several medical and behavioral reasons which lead to a dog biting its foot constantly for long hours.If you enjoy this article, why not also read about why dogs dig and why dogs lick wounds here on Kidadl?Is it normal for dogs to chew their feet?Before we go into discussing whether it is normal for dogs to chew their feet, let us take a look at the reasons which make dogs chew their feet. Some of the most common reasons dogs bite their paws are dry skin and wounds, an injury, food allergies, anxiety, dermatitis, parasites and even boredom. These are all the broad categories or reasons dogs chew their paws.A lot of dog owners have noticed their canine friend chewing its paws from time to time and it is absolutely normal. Sometimes it is a habit that your pet develops over time or it can be just a method of your dog keeping itself clean. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish whether your dog is licking or chewing because it has suffered some injury. Dogs are shy by nature and tend to hide their illness or injuries, and if you see your dog licking and chewing a part of its body for long durations, chances are it has a wound in that area. Dogs perform this as their saliva has antiseptic properties and it usually reduces the chance of a wound getting infected.What should I do if my dog keeps chewing its feet?If you see your dog chewing its feet for long hours, it is in fact a matter of concern. It is best to take your pet to a vet for required treatments. There are other measures you can employ to tackle this situation. A slight change in its diet, maintaining hygiene standards, and taking care of its allergies are all some of the very basic tips to reduce your dog’s habit of chewing its paws.Tips you can follow include wiping your dog’s paw every time your dog goes out for a walk on the road or in the yard. Wipe your dog’s paw with non-toxic wipes as your dog might come in contact with germs or other irritants like lawn chemicals. Keeping its feet clean will avoid any sort of allergy from forming or any serious itch. To avoid this itching and irritation, clean your dog at least twice a week and maintain hygiene in your dog’s bedding as well. Bathe your dog from time to time, especially on summer days and during days of high humidity. Also, keep your dog safe from excessive dust and pollution as it can cause irritation in its skin. It is advisable to install an air conditioner in your home if you live in conditions of extreme heat and humidity. Moist weather during summer months can be worrisome for dogs suffering from dermatitis and dry skin.At the same time, during winter months conditions are exactly the opposite; the weather is very dry and it can be a grave issue for your dog’s dry skin. You can install a humidifier to maintain an adequate level of humidity and tackle excessive dryness during the winter months. Sometimes dogs lick and chew their paws if they suffer from an allergy. The allergy can be external from pollutants, or your dog may be allergic to its food. Check your dog’s diet and feed it something more healthy but ensure that the food is allergen-free. You can even consult with your vet to get an expert opinion on the topic. Adding an Omega 3 fatty acids supplement to your dog’s diet might be a wise move. This helps in reducing the intensity of allergens affecting your dog’s skin.As at times boredom and anxiety can lead to your dog chewing its feet, so ensure that you are spending enough time with it and that it gets ample amount of outdoor exercise. Keeping a dog physically and mentally stimulated helps keep the dog healthy in a stable condition. Moreover, you can also use medication for preventing fleas, ticks and mites.What does it mean when dogs bite their paws?A dog chewing or licking its paws isn’t common but when carried out for a prolonged time period, it is a matter of concern. Your dog may be suffering from some illness or might be injured leading to severe pain and discomfort. Allergies and diseases due to some foreign bodies are also probable causes when dogs chew their paw. Below are some of the most common meanings behind a dog biting its paw.It is possible that your dog is suffering from a food allergy owing to some ingredient in its daily diet. Food allergies often lead to itchy paws. The usual defense mechanism of a dog is to keep licking that particular part of its body that feels itchy. Notice carefully and understand which food ingredient of your dog’s diet is leading to such allergies and if the issue is aggravated, consult a vet immediately.An itch in the foot can also be caused by a dog having parasites such as fleas, mites or ticks. If you notice a sudden behavior change in your pet where it starts excessive licking, check your dog’s skin for any mange spots. There are high chances that when your dog goes out for a walk or for its playtime, it might have been attacked by these parasites on its skin. They are difficult to see, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take your pet to a vet.Your dog chewing or licking its paws can also be a sign of dermatitis caused by bacteria or your dog might be allergic to some pollutant. Maintain high hygiene standards and take extra care of your dog’s paws to reduce the chances of dermatitis. If your dog exhibits seasonal behavior changes, it could be due to seasonal allergies, just like in humans, so be on the lookout for any such symptoms.Injuries leading to cuts and wounds also lead to a dog biting its foot as such injuries tend to irritate its paws. First of all, clean the wound area with an antiseptic to avoid infection and you can use a band-aid if the cut isn’t very deep. However, if the injury has led to bleeding and the pain is severe, take your pet to a veterinary doctor for required treatments. Moreover, your dog could be chewing his paws to show some sign of behavioral issues such as anxiety, stress or depression. If your dog feels bored or if there is a lack of exercise and physical movement, your dog might get depressed and it has been noticed that they tend to bite and lick their foot under such conditions.What causes dogs to bite their paws?Physical ailments, allergies, itchiness due to parasites, and injury wounds are some ailments that can cause a dog to lick and chew its paw. Dogs aren’t as expressive as other animals, so it is the duty of the dog owner to understand why its pet is chewing his paws. There are a couple of relevant causes leading to dogs chewing their paws.Injuries: Scratches and broken claws are among the many injuries a dog could suffer on its feet which can lead to a dog licking its feet for hours. You can perhaps identify scratches and wounds on your own but for broken or cracked claws you would need to rush to a veterinary doctor for the required treatment. Also, check for any ingrown nail as it tends to cause discomfort to dogs. You can at times notice an animal limping when something is stuck between his pads. Such is the case with our canine friends as well; dogs may be seen limping or even bleeding when something is stuck in the paw. This is a sign of pain and discomfort.Parasites: This is another very common cause of suffering that leads to a dog licking its feet; hence, it is essential to keep your pet updated with any and every parasite medication. If infected, treat it as soon as possible as parasites carry life-threatening diseases and can become a cause of concern in no time. It might be that your dog is trying to warn you about its suffering and the pain that it feels due to an injury or allergy by biting its paw.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do dogs bite their paws, then why not take a look at why do dogs pant so much or why do dogs drag their butts?
It is normal for dogs to lick their paw sometimes in a controlled amount but when things get out of hand, it’s time you treat it by visiting a vet.
