What is causing your dog to constantly lick it’s paws, and what you can do about it.
Constant paw licking or biting drives dog owners up the wall. This is one of those common problems that may require us human owners to do some detective work.
Source the Problem, Apply the Solution
Let me give you some low cost, non-invasive and absolutely natural hacks to crack the case…with some easy to apply solutions that should provide relief.
Could biting be due to a skin issue?
- Scabby, flaky skin with hair loss may indicate a bacterial infection, try using some Calendula cream
- In wet weather irritating fungal infections can occur in wet weather. Dry the paws of your dog after their walks or bath and apply tea-tree oil dissolved in some olive oil
Could licking be due to some trauma?
- Have you walked the dog on hot pavement, or could it be a chemical burn? Does it look like blistering, peeling or cracked skin? Try washing the paws in room-temperature water and applying Aloe Vera gel.
- Are there any wounds, is there bleeding or swelling? What is the state of the toenails? Are they cracked or torn? Any foreign objects stuck between the toes? Remove any foreign objects then clean the area in mild soapy water, dry and apply Arnica cream alternating with Calendula cream to avoid infections and provide relief.
- If you suspect an insect bites then Hypericum cream could help
All of the creams or herbals I’ve mentioned are commonly available from health food stores. Apply the solutions several times a day and wrap in some light gauze to prevent licking off the cream if you feel it is needed.
Could irritation be due to allergies?
Allergies can easily be identified by additional symptoms being present at the same time, such as itchy ears, runny poo and sneezing. A good place to start is to change your dog’s food by slowly introducing a more natural diet.
If that doesn’t do the trick, contact me for a free 10 min consult.
Is your dog experiencing other Pain?
Paw licking can show up when your dog is in physical discomfort. A general weakness or restlessness can be observed. Needless to say, a general check-up at a vet office will help to identify if that’s the case.
Is your dog’s behaviour unusual, like some kind of OCD?
I trust that you have first checked all of the above as the potential source of the paw-licking problem and that you are a good guardian of your dog, meaning you provide daily walks and stimulation for your furry friend.
I’m not sweet talking this one. It’s a biggie and I see this kind of obsessive behaviour quite a lot. This coping mechanism often presents with thicker skin and hair loss because of the over licking or biting.
What can be the cause?
- Toxicity, sometimes even medication can lead to this. A dog’s paws act as a vent in the normal detoxification process, which may be why they are licking.
- It could be from sheer boredom.
- You dog may have experienced some emotional trauma. Yes, dogs are sentient beings and experience grief and loss and can show behavioural signs of a lingering past trauma. This is often totally overlooked. The beauty of homeopathy is we take all of this into account, we treat the who dog, not the symptom.
- The licking could also have started after the above-mentioned events and your dog is now stuck in a kind of habitual loop. Please contact me to help you help your dog, you’ll be surprised how homeopathy can help with these behaviours.
If you still have any concerns I’m only a text or phone call away to book an over the phone consultation, I’m confident your dog will thank you for it.
