3 replies to this topic

[mike hall]

Summer is 18 months and i have noticed recently that she sometimes start to lick her front paws. I don't know why she does this but she will do it until i tell her to stop. I have checked her paws and nothing there, checked for fleas and all clear. Have looked on Google and there is all sorts of ideas from boredom to allergy to liking the taste of their own sweat. Don't really want to take her to a vet as there is clearly nothing wrong with her paws and she is in no pain or distress.
Anyone got experience of this.

Mike, Ashley and Summer

[Perry's Mom]

Hi Mike - My Perry is a paw licker at certain times of the month. He gets his flea control - Comfortis - at the end of each month. It seems to me that he starts the licking thing about a week before he is due for the next dose. He's not chewing, there is no abrasions or cuts, he has company so I don't think its boredom. I tell him to stop and he does so its not an obsession. As soon as he takes the Comfortis the licking stops. I'm not sure what the connection is but the timing is curious. Perry gets fed a mostly grain free diet with raw meat added to his kibble. I don't know what causes it but its a small thing to deal with.

[Kurt]

Is Summer licking on the top of the paw or the underside? If it's the underside, it could be itching from allergies. Right now pollens are out for the springtime. You may want to try a Benedryl on her to see if the licking stops or abates.

Another thing about paw licking is that sometimes it can turn into a habit. The result is a sore known as a "lick granuloma". What happens is that they lick from an itch, and then they get so used to doing that and it turns into a habit. Lick Granulomas can be very difficult to treat due to the constant licking.

Here is some information on lick granulomas in dogs:

http://www.thepetcenter.com/article.aspx?id=3385

[mike hall]

She normally licks the top side of the paw and usually only the front ones. Will try the benedryl tho.

Thanks. Mike, Ash & Summer.