Help! My Dog Wont Stop Licking His Paws. (Understanding Excessive Paw Licking)
Okay, so my dog, Max, started licking his paws like crazy a few weeks ago. It was non-stop! I got pretty worried, so I started digging around to figure out what was going on.
What I Did First
First, I checked his paws really carefully. I looked between his toes, felt for anything weird, and just generally gave them a good once-over. I was thinking maybe he stepped on something sharp, or got a splinter, you know?
- Checked for redness
- Looked for swelling
- Felt for any bumps or lumps
I didn't find anything obvious, no cuts or anything like that. But his paws were a little red between the toes.
Digging Deeper
Since I couldn't see anything super obvious, I started thinking about other possibilities. Could it be allergies? Maybe he got into something he shouldn't have? It was driving me nuts!
So to test, I started to do a few things. I changed his food, that would rule out any food issues, right?
- Switched to a hypoallergenic food.
- Started wiping his paws with a damp cloth after walks, just in case it was something he was picking up outside.
Getting Some Help
After a week or so, he was still licking, but not as much. So, I did what most people do, and booked an appointment to see a vet, just for a check over.
Turns out, Max's paws were slightly inflammed, and possibly the start of an infection. I was prescribed some anti-inflammatories and a medicated shampoo.
What I Learned
It’s a lot better now! And he's back to his usual self. I learned that even if you can't see anything wrong, it's always best to get it checked out. I also learned that keeping my best boy's paws clean is super important!
So, if your dog is licking their paws a lot, don't ignore it! Could be something simple, could be something that needs a bit more attention.
