Why do dogs lick their paws? Causes and what to do

That rhythmic slurping you hear from the couch at night has an explanation: your dog is licking their paws. A few minutes after a walk is just grooming. But if your dog spends long stretches at it, has rusty-brown stained fur between the toes or keeps going back to the same foot, it’s worth figuring out why your dog licks their paws.

Paw licking is one of the most common skin-related reasons dogs see the vet, and there’s almost always a specific, treatable cause behind it. This guide covers the most common causes, how to read your dog’s licking pattern, how to check their paws step by step, what you can do at home without sketchy remedies and when it’s time to call the vet.

Is it normal for dogs to lick their paws?

Yes, up to a point. Dogs groom themselves by licking, especially after coming in from outside or before settling down to sleep, and a few minutes of licking with no other signs isn’t a concern.

It becomes a problem when you notice any of these clues:

• Your dog licks several times a day or for long stretches, including in the middle of the night.
• The fur between the toes is stained reddish-brown: pigments in saliva tint light-colored fur when licking is constant.
• The paws are almost always damp, red, losing fur or giving off a rancid smell.
• Your dog chews at their toes, limps or always focuses on the same paw.
• They also scratch their ears, face, armpits or belly.

The most common reasons dogs lick their paws

Allergies

Allergies are the number one cause of persistent paw licking. Atopic dermatitis, an allergy to pollen, dust mites or mold, typically hits the paws, face, ears, armpits and belly, and the first signs usually show up between 6 months and 3 years of age. Food allergy is less common and causes a similar itch, but year-round. If your dog is itchy in other places too, our guide to why your dog is so itchy covers it in depth.

Yeast and bacterial infections

Moisture and constant licking create the perfect conditions for yeast (Malassezia) and some bacteria to overgrow. Signs include red skin between the toes, a greasy or brownish discharge and a strong rancid smell. These infections are almost always secondary to another problem, like an allergy, which also needs treatment.

Foxtails, splinters and other foreign objects

If your dog suddenly starts licking one paw obsessively, especially from late spring through summer, think foxtail lodged between the toes. You’ll often find a swelling or a small draining hole, and the barbed seed can keep traveling under the skin if it isn’t removed. Here’s what to do about foxtails in dogs.

Cuts, burns and irritants

Cuts from glass, cracked pads, burns from hot pavement in summer, and irritation from ice melt or floor cleaners all sting and trigger licking. In winter, wipe your dog’s paws after every walk on salted sidewalks.

Nail problems

A broken or overgrown nail, a dewclaw curling into the skin or an infection at the nail bed hurts, and dogs respond by licking or chewing that toe. Keeping nails at the right length prevents a lot of these problems: see our step-by-step guide on how to trim dog nails.

Parasites

Chiggers (harvest mite larvae) are common in late summer and fall and show up as tiny orange dots between the toes that cause intense itching. Mange mites, such as demodex, and fleas can affect the paws too.

Pain in the toes or joints

Some dogs with arthritis lick the spot that hurts, like a wrist or toes, even when there’s nothing wrong with the skin. If your older dog keeps licking the same joint, mention it to your vet, and review the other signs your dog is in pain.

Boredom, stress or anxiety

Licking releases tension and passes the time. Dogs who spend long hours alone, get little exercise or live with ongoing stress can turn it into a habit. In extreme cases, a lick granuloma develops: a raised, thickened sore, usually on the front of the wrist or ankle, that the dog won’t stop licking and that takes a long time to heal. It’s more common in large breeds like Labs, Dobermans and German shepherds.

Less common causes

Occasionally the cause is an autoimmune disease that crusts the paw pads, thickened pads (hyperkeratosis) in older dogs or, rarely, a tumor on a toe or at the base of a nail, mostly in senior dogs.

What your dog’s licking pattern tells you

Noticing how many paws, when and how your dog licks goes a long way toward narrowing down the cause:

How to check your dog’s paws step by step

Do this in good light while your dog is relaxed, with a few treats handy:

1. Look at the paw from above and compare it with the opposite one: any swelling, redness or hair loss?
2. Gently spread the toes and check the skin between them and between the pads, where foxtails hide.
3. Inspect the pads: look for cracks, cuts, blisters or raw patches.
4. Check every nail and the dewclaw: length, cracks, blood or swelling at the base.
5. Sniff the paw: a strong rancid or sweet smell suggests infection.
6. Feel carefully for warm or tender spots. If your dog pulls back or yelps, stop there.

If you spot a visible, superficial foxtail, you can pull it out with tweezers. If all you see is a hole, a bump, or you’re not sure you got the whole thing, don’t dig: let your vet handle it.

What to do at home (and what to skip)

While you work out the cause, these steps help break the cycle of licking and irritation:

• Rinse paws with lukewarm water after walks if things get worse outdoors, and dry them thoroughly, including between the toes: moisture feeds yeast.
• Protect the area with a cone or a breathable sock, never tight, until your vet can see your dog. Don’t leave it on for days unsupervised.
• Walk during cooler hours in summer. If you can’t hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for paws.
• Add exercise and enrichment if you suspect boredom: sniff walks, stuffed food toys and find-it games. If stress is part of the picture, here’s how to calm a stressed dog.
• Trim the fur between the pads on long-haired dogs, especially during foxtail season.

When to take your dog to the vet

At the clinic, your vet will examine the paws and will probably press tape or a glass slide against the skin to check for yeast or bacteria under the microscope. Depending on the case, they may do a skin scraping for mites, probe a draining tract for a foxtail or take X-rays. If food allergy is suspected, they’ll recommend a strict elimination diet for about 8 weeks, the only reliable way to diagnose it.

How to prevent paw licking

• Check paws after walks in fields or dry grass from late spring through early fall.
• Keep nails short and the fur between the toes trimmed.
• Protect the pads from heat, cold and salt. Our dog paw care guide has more tips.
• Stay current on flea and tick prevention as recommended by your vet.
• Meet your dog’s exercise and mental stimulation needs every day.
• Treat allergies early: flare-ups controlled from the start lead to fewer infections.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the fur on my dog’s paws reddish-brown?

That color comes from pigments in saliva called porphyrins, which stain light fur when a dog licks the same spot over and over. It isn’t harmful on its own, but it tells you the licking is frequent and long-lasting. You’ll see the same staining under the eyes in some dogs. If it shows up on the paws, look for the cause of the licking rather than trying to whiten the fur.

Why does my dog lick their paws at night?

At night there are fewer distractions, so itching or soreness becomes more noticeable and your dog focuses on it. Some dogs also lick to wind down before sleep, the same way others circle before lying down. A few minutes is normal; if it wakes you up every night or the paws are damp and red in the morning, talk to your vet.

Is it normal for my dog’s paws to smell like corn chips?

A faint corn-chip smell, often called “Frito feet,” is pretty common and comes from the bacteria and yeast that normally live on the skin and in the sweat of the paw pads. It becomes a problem when the smell is strong and rancid, the skin between the toes is red or greasy, or your dog licks a lot. That usually points to an infection that needs treatment.

Will switching dog food stop paw licking?

Only if the cause is a food allergy, which is far less common than environmental allergies. Simply switching brands rarely works because many foods share the same ingredients. Confirming a food allergy takes a strict elimination diet with a novel or hydrolyzed protein and no other foods or treats for about 8 weeks, always planned with your vet.

Can I put a sock on my dog’s paw to stop the licking?

Yes, as a short-term fix, a breathable sock or lightweight bootie can protect the area until your vet appointment, as long as it isn’t tight and you take it off several times a day so the skin can breathe and dry. Don’t cover draining wounds for hours, and don’t treat it as the solution: the goal is to find and treat the reason for the licking.

Sources

• Merck Veterinary Manual: canine atopic dermatitis and pododermatitis in dogs.
• International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA): guidelines for diagnosing and treating canine atopic dermatitis.
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: tea tree oil toxicity in pets.
• Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC): control of external parasites in dogs.