Is your dog suddenly or constantly licking its paws? Itchy paws in dogs are more than just an annoyance; they're a sign of an underlying medical issue, signaling that they need your attention. But what's causing this discomfort? Through my experience, I've pinpointed the top 5 culprits: Allergies, infections (yeast and bacteria), injuries (from foreign bodies to fractured nails), anxiety/boredom, and mites (specifically, demodex). Each reason is a piece of the puzzle, affecting your dog's well-being and peace of mind. This article sets out to educate you on the top causes of itchy paws in dogs and what you can do to help.
1. Allergies
Without any doubt, allergies are the single most common cause of itchy paws in dogs! Allergies will often cause itchiness of all paws but sometimes it's more so the front paws compared to the back paws.
Allergies can stem from a variety of sources - environmental allergens like pollen, dust, mold, food allergies, or sensitivities to flea bites. They can be seasonal or non-seasonal in their pattern. Seasonal allergies are a type of environmental allergy where your dog reacts to various pollens, trees, weeds, and grasses during specific times of the year. I find that the most severe causes of itchy paws in dogs are often due to a grass allergy.
To help differentiate environmental vs food allergies, we look at the age of onset, which is the age at which symptoms are first noticed. Environmental allergies typically first show up in ages between 2 and 6, whereas food allergies will reveal itself less than a year of age or older than 6-8 years of age. In unfortunate cases, some dogs have both environmental and food allergies present.
If your dog has itchy paws throughout the year, non-seasonal allergies can be a result of indoor allergens such as dust mites, mold spores, or even food allergens.
Clinical signs that you may notice with allergies include:
- Red, inflamed, and itchy paws
- Recurring skin infections (pyoderma)
- Ear infections
- Biting, chewing, or scratching throughout the body
- Occasional or chronic diarrhea if there is a food allergy present
Treatment for allergies depends on the cause. For environmental allergies, allergen avoidance can be helpful, as well as medications such as Apoquel®, Cytopoint®, corticosteroids, or specialized veterinary shampoos.
If a food allergy is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend a special elimination diet to identify the specific food trigger.
Ultimately, the best course of action is to consult with your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has allergies. They can help determine the cause and provide a treatment plan that will bring relief to your furry friend.
2. Paw infections - Yeast and bacteria
Paw infections, notably yeast and bacteria, are another common cause of itchy paws in dogs. We commonly refer to this as pododermatitis. These infections are often overlooked and if they are not properly diagnosed and treated, can cause chronic problems. Here's a breakdown of the two possible infections:
Bacterial infections
Bacterial infections affecting the paws are often secondary to other disease processes such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, and allergies. Sometimes, infections are primary and opportunistic, contracted from the environment. However, more often than not, they are secondary in nature.
Common symptoms vary but often include redness between the toes and discomfort. Bacterial infections will cause excessive paw licking which will continue to exacerbate the issue.
Yeast infections
Dogs have a natural level of yeast that lives on their skin. However, when the balance is disrupted, perhaps due to moisture trapped between the toes, a yeast infection in the paws can develop.
The symptoms often include an unpleasant odor and itchy, inflamed skin, leading to itchy paws and more paw licking.
Yeast, a type of fungus, can cause infections in the paws, often as a result of seasonal allergies. Warm, humid air, combined with excessive paw licking will cause the yeast to overgrow and result in an infection.
Once the yeast organisms invade the skin, they can set off an allergic reaction. Now there are multiple reasons for your dog to have itchy paws: The yeast infection itself, the allergic reaction to yeast, and the possible allergies that cause the yeast infection in the first place.
Treatment strategies for these infections are multifaceted. For yeast, antifungal medications, medicated wipes, or shampoos are often the first line of defense, aiming to reduce the yeast population on the skin. Bacterial infections may require antibiotics, either topical or oral, depending on the severity.
Regular cleaning and drying of the paws, along with veterinary-prescribed medicated wipes or shampoos, can also be effective in managing and preventing or controlling these paw infections.
RELEVANT READING: Read our article on dog paw yeast infections where we explore this topic in greater detail.
3. Paw injuries - Torn nail, paw pad injury, foreign material
Physical injuries, encompassing everything from minor cuts to significant wounds like foreign bodies embedding in the paw, fractured nails, or severe paw pad injuries, present a common yet often overlooked cause of excessive licking and itchy paws in dogs.
When a dog experiences a physical injury to the paw, the body's natural healing process kicks in, which can cause itching. For instance, a splinter lodged between the toes or a small cut on the paw pad might not only hurt but also itch as it heals.
Foreign material that becomes lodged like a splinter can be problematic and common types of foreign material include grass awns or seeds, thorns, or wood splinters. These can all cause irritation and lead to excessive licking and paw chewing as your dog tries to address them.
Fractured nails, which can occur from something as simple as catching a nail on a carpet or during vigorous outdoor activities, also contribute to discomfort and potential itchiness. Interestingly, we typically see the majority of torn nails in dogs in the winter months, often caused by overgrown nails becoming injured on the snow and ice. Similarly, injuries to the paw pads, such as cuts or lacerations can result in excessive licking and itching of the paws.
A sign that a paw injury may be at play compared to the other causes of paw itching in dogs is that the licking and chewing will occur on a specific paw or area of the paw, rather than generalized to all paws.
RELEVANT READING: We have covered paw pad injuries in dogs in more detail, so if you think your dog may be suffering from a paw injury, please refer to our article on this topic.
4. Anxiety and boredom
Anxiety and boredom are more than just behavioral issues; they can have physical manifestations, including itchy paws in dogs. When dogs feel anxious or bored, they may resort to licking or chewing their paws as a self-soothing behavior.
This repetitive action can lead to skin damage, resulting in itchiness and discomfort, further perpetuating the cycle of licking and chewing.
Understanding the root cause of this behavior is key to addressing it. Anxiety in dogs can be triggered by various factors, such as separation from their owners, loud noises, or changes in their environment.
Boredom, on the other hand, often results from a lack of mental and physical stimulation. Dogs are intelligent, active creatures who require regular exercise and engagement to stay healthy and happy.
To combat these issues, providing ample opportunities for play, exercise, and mental stimulation is important. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and regular playtime can keep a dog mentally stimulated, while daily walks, runs, or agility training can help expend physical energy.
For dogs suffering from anxiety, creating a calm and secure environment, along with behavioral therapies or even medications prescribed by your veterinarian, can offer relief.
5. Skin mites
Mites, specifically Demodex mites, can also lead to itchy paws in our dogs. Demodectic mange, caused by the Demodex mite, is a common condition that affects dogs of all ages, though it's more prevalent in puppies and immunocompromised adults.
These microscopic mites naturally exist on a dog's skin but can proliferate under certain conditions, leading to clinical signs.
Demodex likes to target the face and feet primarily in dogs. Infected areas can become itchy, and inflamed, and often develop a crusty appearance. While the Demodex mite itself does not cause the itch, the body's reaction to the infestation and secondary infections from bacteria can lead to significant discomfort with itchy paws in dogs.
Your veterinarian can diagnose demodex mites through a dermatological exam or response to treatment with antiparasitic medications.
RELEVANT READING: Please read our article on Demodectic mange in dogs where we cover this topic in more detail.
Treatments for itchy paws in dogs
Treating itchy paws in dogs requires a multifaceted approach, combining veterinary treatments with home remedies to alleviate discomfort and address the underlying cause. Here's an overview of treatment strategies:
Treatments implemented by your veterinarian
- Seasonal or environmental allergies: Medications such as Apoquel®, Cytopoint®, and corticosteroids may be prescribed. Allergen-specific immunotherapy ("allergy injections") may also be recommended for environmental allergies.
- Infections: Antifungal and antibiotic medications are used to treat yeast and bacterial infections, respectively. Topical treatments, such as medicated shampoos or creams, alongside oral medications, may be necessary.
- Injuries: Treatment depends on the severity but may include cleaning and dressing wounds, removing foreign bodies, and prescribing pain relief or antibiotics to prevent infection.
- Mites: Demodectic mange requires antiparasitic medications, which can be topical or oral, based on your vet's recommendation.
Home remedies you can try
- Paw washes: Regularly washing your dog's paws with gentle, dog-safe shampoo or a homemade solution of water and mild soap can remove irritants. Ensure paws are thoroughly dried afterward.
- Paw balms: Natural paw balms can moisturize dry, cracked paw pads and provide a barrier against harsh surfaces and weather conditions.
- Omega-3 supplements: Adding omega-3 fatty acids to your dog's diet can improve skin health and reduce inflammation.
- Epsom salt soaks: Soaking itchy paws in a diluted Epsom salt solution can soothe irritation and inflammation. Make sure to soak for 2-3 minutes and rinse well and dry afterward.
- Dietary changes: For food allergies, gradually transitioning to a hypoallergenic or limited ingredient diet, as recommended by your vet, can help identify and eliminate food allergens.
- Antihistamines: If you feel your dog has allergies, you can try administering an antihistamine such as Benadryl®. Please consult with your veterinarian before administering over-the-counter antihistamines to your dog.
In summary, we've explored the most common causes of itchy paws in dogs which are allergies, infections, injuries, anxiety or boredom, and demodex mites. Each cause has separate treatments and we've also listed some home remedies that you can safely try at home. If your dog's symptoms persist or worsen, it's always best to consult with your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. I hope this article helped shed light on why your dog may be licking its paws excessively. if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your veterinarian.