Have You Ever Wondered Why Dogs Lick Their Paws?

Seeing people around us biting at their nails is something we’ve become quite accustomed to. But what about dogs? You may have seen your dog biting at his nails or licking his paws and wondered what this means.

Turns out, there are numerous reasons behind this, and thankfully, a number of things you can do about it!

• Nail length: sometimes your dog just has long nails that are becoming a nuisance! Unlike us, our dogs do not have an opposable thumb to clip their own nails with, so they resort to other measures in a bid to rid the irritation
• Infection: just as we can get a fungal or bacterial infection, so can our dogs. Watch for oozing discharge from the chewed spot, as excessive chewing can also lead to infection itself!
• Boredom or anxiety: to rid boredom or anxiety, your dog might turn to chewing at his nails. This often acts as a soothing action for them!
• Allergies: inhaled allergy response manifests as chewing for many dogs. Unlike us, our dogs may chew their nails or lick their paws to get rid of the feeling of irritation.
• Injury and illness: if your dog has a hurt paw, or may be suffering from an illness such as arthritis, you may find excessive chewing and licking taking place.

There are a number of ways to treat chewing and licking. You could start by trimming your canine companion’s nails to see if it makes a difference. There are also a variety of medications available out there, and you can seek help or advice from your dog’s vet. Your vet can advise you on possible causes, treatments, and may even look at your pup’s diet!

Feature Image Source: Pixabay