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In this Chewtorial we’ll be covering how to stop your dog from licking their paws.

You’ve probably noticed your dog licking their paws at some point, usually for just a few seconds as part of their self-grooming routine. That kind of paw-licking is totally normal for most dogs. What we’re going to go over is when the paw licking is excessive enough to cause concern. We’ll also look at some of the underlying issues that would cause this behavior, and how you can resolve them.

1. Visit your vet
While you might be wondering how to stop dogs from licking their paws, or asking yourself “should I worry about my dog licking their paws excessively?”, the reason behind their newfound foot fetish might be more complicated. The best thing to do is visit their vet. The most common cause of this behavior is allergies, but an injury to their paw or infection are also relatively common causes. Your vet will be equipped to make a diagnosis and suggest the proper treatment.

2. Use a cone collar
A cone collar can restrict your dog from having access to their paws, which will prevent the situation from getting worse while you arrange for them to get to their vet. It’s probably not your dog’s favorite thing but as a temporary safeguard, it should be tolerable for them. Consider packing some treats to
distract them from the frustration if they’re especially averse to wearing a cone.

3. Redirect with a lick mat or toy
Some dogs will start licking their paws to self-soothe emotional stress. If you’ve recently experienced an event that may have stressed your dog out, such as moving or introducing new people to your household, the dog licking paws situation may be your pup’s way of self-soothing. Rather than interrupt their method, you can provide a more productive alternative for them to practice their self-soothing. Lick mats, or even toys with a tongue-friendly texture can provide your dog with an effective paw-alternative that’s designed for safe licking.

4. Increase their daily physical and mental exercise
Providing opportunities for daily exercise is crucial for your dog’s physical and mental health. It might seem unrelated but it’s an easy and effective form of stress relief that does wonders for their mental health. Interactive games that get them moving or provide mental stimulation, like hide-and-seek or similar activities, are also a big help.

5. Try calming chews or sprays
There’s a range of easy-to-administer supplements you can try using to boost your dog’s overall mood.They can be a good alternative to a formal prescription medication if you suspect your dog’s paw-licking is a response to a temporary stressor rather than a serious underlying issue. These usually
contain synthetic versions of natural pheromones that encourage your dog to relax and they work best when employed with some of the other things we’ve covered. Just make sure you’re getting dog-specific supplements and not ones that are intended for humans, which can be dangerous for dogs.

If the habit seems especially hard for your dog to curb, make sure to let their vet know. Most of the time it’s only a temporary coping mechanism and not a cause for serious concern. Hopefully these suggestions can help the process along.