Your Dog Licks His Paws Because Of Several Reasons - Which Applies To You?

Many dogs fiddle with their paws, biting, licking, and chewing at their toes and feet. In moderate amounts, this is just a cute, small gesture. When done to an extreme, to the point of swollen or reddish paws, this points it a more serious issue.

A dog may compulsively chew or bite their paws because of irritation, allergies, injuries, growths, and even anxiety. Unfortunately, this can cause infections, wounds, and pain for your poor dog. So how can you stop this from happening?

One of the biggest reasons a dog may do this harmful behavior is due to a deficiency of healthy fats – specifically omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids help maintain healthy skin, and they’re also packed with anti-inflammatory properties that keep allergens at bay.

Sadly, most dog food – even that which is supposed to naturally have this nutrient in it – doesn’t have enough fatty acids to prevent a deficiency. This is because these fatty acids are fragile and are often destroyed with the heat of food preparation.

That’s why omega-3 supplements for dogs are so popular! Most dogs begin to show signs of improvement within just 2 weeks, and they stop attacking their paws so ruthlessly, too. Krill might be your best bet, as it has the lowest amount of toxins among omega-3 sources.

What else can you do to reduce licking and biting of paws? Here are some options:

1. Keep Allergens In Check. Do your best to prevent allergies from taking over your home. Clean your house regularly, launder your clothes often, and clean your dog’s toys and bedding when you can.
2. Feed Your Dog A Healthy Diet. Wholesome, healthy foods keep your dog’s immunity strong and ready to fight against all kinds of common irritants.
3. Wipe Down. When your dog goes for walks, they pick up bad bacteria, chemicals, and irritants along the way. Get some wipes and wipe their paws down whenever they come back inside.
4. Balance The Weather. If you get dry weather, invest in a humidifier. If it’s cold, get a heater running. If it’s hot, opt for air conditioning. This can help reduce irritants to a dog’s skin.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay