Why Does my Labradoodle Lick His Paws? Is There a Reason?

Dogs generally like to keep themselves clean and you can expect to see them licking their paws and other areas after walks and maybe also during the day. Sometimes they do it before settling down for a nap too. But why is your Labradoodle licking theirs excessively? What defines excessive licking and what can we do about it? Let’s look into the ins and outs of paw-licking.

All dogs groom themselves and this includes paw-licking, but excessive licking can point to issues such as allergies, infections, injuries, anxiety, boredom, and skin problems. Dogs, like humans, are subject to environmental issues such as pollen and dust and this irritant can lead to paw licking.

When it is more than general grooming it can be a problematic issue to resolve. Let’s explore in detail some of the causes of excessive paw-licking and chewing, and some ways to deter your Labradoodle from this habit.

Self-Grooming

Dogs spend a fair bit of time cleaning themselves in the day so some paw licking is to be expected. Typically, you can expect your Labradoodle to groom themselves after a meal and/or after their walk. They are generally clean animals and their tongues effectively remove any dirt, sand, mud, and other nuisances from their coats.

You should expect your Labradoodle to be tending to both front paws in these instances. If your dog is only licking the one paw or licking both for long periods at a time, then there could be something else going on.

Injuries and Pain

A very common reason for paw-licking are injuries to the paw area. This could mean they’ve strained it while walking or maybe a foreign object has become caught in the paw pad. Thorns are a common pest when dog walking and usually, you will notice as soon as your dog steps on one as they typically will yelp or limp.

If the thorn or other foreign object remains embedded in the paw, then your dog will try and get it out by licking and chewing on the area. Dogs will be mainly licking the affected paw in these situations so it’s worth a good look to see if you can see anything.

Allergies

Who knew allergies could be the reason for your Labradoodle’s paw-licking problem? When a dog has a food allergy their mouths can feel irritated and perhaps itchy. Their paw-licking helps relieve this discomfort. If you suspect food allergies could be the issue then it’s worth keeping a food diary, looking for any patterns, and perhaps switching foods. A chat with your vet in these situations is always a good idea as they may be able to suggest a food brand to suit your dog’s allergy.

With paw-licking, you should also consider environmental allergies. Humans can have allergies to pollen, mold spores, and dust and it is no different for your four-legged friend. Typically, with environmental allergies, other symptoms will be visible such as sneezing, runny eyes, and general itchiness.

Anxiety

Lots of dogs suffer from anxiety problems and paw-licking is one of the signs of this. Dogs can suffer from a form of OCD, which in the doggy world is known as Canine Compulsive Disorder. When a dog feels stressed or worried, they will look for ways to comfort themselves – paw-licking being one of them.

If your dog has no injuries and you don’t suspect allergies, then it could well be a behavioral trait. The trick is finding the root cause of their anxiety and perhaps exploring ways to reduce these feelings. Paw-licking can also be a sign of boredom so make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise and stimulation.

Skin Problems

Dogs can and do suffer from a variety of skin complaints including flea allergies, atopic dermatitis, and dry skin. Any problems with the skin can cause your Labradoodle to feel uncomfortable and sore. Unfortunately, if this is the reason your dog is excessively licking their paws this constant licking can heighten the problem as it can cause secondary infections.

Your vet will be able to run tests if you suspect skin problems and offer some medication and lifestyle advice. We all aspire to clean nice-smelling pups but bathing a dog too often can be detrimental to their skin condition, essentially drying it out.

How To Stop The Paw-Licking

This can be much easier said than done and how easy it is to stop depends on whether you find the paw-licking to be physical or behavioral. Behavioral will ultimately be harder to stop and it may happen the most when you are not around to stop it. Here are some tips on getting to grips with paw-licking and measures you can take.

  • Firstly, examine the paw to check the paw-licking isn’t due to an injury or that something embedded in it.
  • Clean the paws in some water, this can help wipe off excess pollen and is especially important in the winter if your dog has been walking on gritted pavements.
  • If the paw-licking is causing secondary infections or making the paw very sore you may need to either bandage the paws or put a cone collar on your dog until things settle down. This can help break the cycle, giving the paw time to heal.
  • You may need an appointment with your vet to rule out possible allergies or skin issues.
  • Switch to a different doggy shampoo. It could be this simple if the shampoo is causing your dog to be itchy or uncomfortable.
  • You can purchase safe and non-toxic chewing deterrents that you apply directly to your dog’s paws. The smell and/or taste should put them off doing this and hopefully put an end to it.
  • Keep dogs’ nails short. Generally, a well-exercised dog will naturally have short nails but sometimes they do get too long and can cause them pain which might be another reason for licking paws.

Related Questions

Why do Dogs Lick their Owners?

Put simply they love you and want you to know this! Dogs take comfort from their owners and licking their owners’ releases endorphins in your dog. You may notice your dog licking you after exercise, this is because they are drawn to the salt from your sweat.