- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Has your dog’s feet turned into their new favorite chew toy? Chewing, licking, and nibbling at their paws, also known as “eating their feet”, is not unusual behavior for dogs. Some dogs lick and nibble at their paws and nails as a form of grooming and cleaning themselves.
However, if your dog suddenly developed an obsessive interest in chewing their paws and nails, there may be an underlying cause that needs attention. Skin issues like allergies, blisters, and insect bites are some of the most common causes for paw chewing.
We spoke with experts to learn what causes dogs to lick and chew their paws, from pads to nails.
Paw Infections and Inflammation
Hotspots
Dog hotspots, or moist dermatitis, are also a result of excessive licking and chewing. These can appear as red, inflamed skin or bald patches with noticeable amounts of irritation, pus, or a strong odor.
A trip to the vet is in order to prevent or treat infection. Your vet will prescribe topical medication since hot spots are a bacterial skin infection, also known as pyoderma.
Bacterial or yeast infection
“When a dog licks their paw, it creates a lot of moisture in the paw, which can lead to a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast,” Dr. Smith says. This may start as an allergic itch or normal grooming but can turn into an infection if your dog’s paw doesn’t dry out.
Additional signs of a bacterial or yeast infection in dogs include hair loss, a strong odor, and greasy hair and skin.
Allergies
Common in dogs of all ages, allergic reactions can be trigged by food, seasonal triggers, medications, or pests. These allergies can lead to inflamed, red, sore, and itchy paws. Dogs will persistently lick and chew their paws to relieve these symptoms, which causes them to become raw and red, Dr. Smith says.
Blisters and cysts
Blisters on a dog will look similar to how they appear on humans. Blisters appear as small, slightly red, and raised sores as a result of burns or friction. The soreness and inflammation from blisters can prompt dogs to chew and lick their paws.
Cysts usually appear as raised, smooth bumps on top of or under the skin. However, most cysts will not cause chewing or licking unless they are inflamed. Dogs can develop various types of cysts due to sweat clogging an oil gland or an ingrown hair clogging a hair follicle.
Nail infection
A nail infection generally presents itself in three ways: redness, swelling, or discharge around the nail, says Marc Smith, DVM, MS at Natchez Trace Veterinary Services. The nail bed will usually be inflamed, painful to a dog, and might have an odor to it.
Most of the time, dogs prioritize chewing on the individual nail or between the paws at the base of the nail. Smith explains most of the pain comes from the base of the nail, rather than the whole paw.
Dandruff
While dandruff normally shows itself on our heads, dogs can experience dry, flaky skin and itchiness all over their body, including their paws.
“When the dog’s paw becomes dry, their natural instincts tell them to lick and chew them, not only to provide moisture but also to relieve skin irritation,” Dr. Smith says. Allergies, dietary deficiencies, or endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, can all cause dandruff in dogs.
If your dog is looking itchy all over and repeatedly licking and chewing their paws, your vet might prescribe dandruff shampoo, fish oil supplements, or an allergy test.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that creates red, ring-shaped patches on a dog’s skin. They can pick up this very itchy infection from walking outdoors, Dr. Smith notes. Other symptoms include scaly patches, brittle nails/coat, and hair loss.
“Ringworm is generally more localized than allergies,” says Dr. Smith. “So, rather than chewing on the whole paw, they will most generally focus on a localized area.”
Pain From a Wound or Condition
Pain can lead to dogs chewing and licking their feet as a form of temporary relief. Common causes of pain in dogs include:
- Arthritis: “Dogs generally itch with arthritis to soothe their pain,” Dr. Smith says. “It is not because their paws are itchy, but rather, a way to relieve themselves.”
- Objects stuck in paws: Foreign objects, like a pebble or even a foxtail, can cause a dog to itch because they’re trying to remove it from their paw. Dr. Smith recommends always inspecting your pup’s paws when itchy so you can dislodge a foreign object if one is present.
- Chemical or paw burn. Chemical deicers are dangerous to dogs, and exposure to hot pavement can cause paw burns. Paw burns will look like blisters, redness, missing skin on your dog’s paw pads. A dog will lick and chew their paws to reduce the pain and try to cool down the affected area, Dr. Smith says.
Behavioral Issues or Habits
It’s normal for dogs to chew or rip their nails, says Terry Lynn Cuyler, certified dog trainer and owner of Pawsitive Results Dog Training. Because dogs use their mouth the same way we use our hands, a little biting isn’t always a concern.
Here are common behavioral reasons for why dogs chew their paws and nails:
- Anxiety or stress. In these instances, you may notice your dog chewing their nails in a fast, frantic manner, Cuyler says. Additional signs of stress include pacing, whining, or a tucked tail.
- Boredom. Some dogs chew their nails and paws as a way to keep themselves entertained. “This seems more like slow and doing the same thing again, kind of the same feeling when a person taps fingers because they have nothing interesting to do,” Cuyler says.
- Overstimulation. If your pup just had an exciting play or training session, you might notice them chewing their nails. Chewing can help them feel more relaxed, similar to how a person bites their nails after something stressful, like a big exam, Cuyler explains.
- Comfort. Dogs engage in self-soothing behaviors that bring them comfort, such as chewing, licking, and yawning. Cuyler notes that some dogs will lick or nibble on their paws before going to sleep, which is similar to how children suck their thumbs.
You can try stress-relief methods to calm your dog instantly at home, such as giving them a massage (if they’re comfortable with it), creating a safe space for them, and distracting them with toys or treats.
If a dog chews their nails until they bleed or begin to limp, however, Cuyler recommends talking with a vet or canine behavior expert. A professional can help diagnose the underlying causes and recommend appropriate treatment.
Nail Problems or Grooming Mishaps
Sometimes, dogs may chew on their paws and nails if they’re experiencing grooming-related discomfort or pain. This can be due to:
- Overgrown nails: A dog might chew on untrimmed nails to soothe the pain. When overgrown nails are left untrimmed, they can grow into the back of their paw pads, leading to infections or deformity.
- Broken, cracked, or split nails: If a dog’s nail is broken, cracked, or split, they could bite at their nails to try to correct any damage.
- Razor burn. Razor burn occurs when the fur is shaved too close to the skin during grooming. A razor burn around the feet will often be near the paw pads.
Parasites and Bug Bites
Nobody likes pesky bug bites, our canine companions included. A single bug bite can cause a dog to bite and chew their paw non-stop in an effort to curb the itching.
Bug bites are different from other injuries because they can cause varying effects based on the bug, Dr. Smith says. These are the most common types of itchy bites your dog may experience:
- Mosquitoes, spider, ant, and fly bites: Bites from certain insects, like mosquitoes, will create localized irritation, whereas a spider bite can cause widespread effects in a dog, Dr. Smith notes. Identifying the type of bite and its severity can help you determine whether it can be treated at home or at the vet.
- Fleas: Fleas can reproduce rapidly, causing an infestation all over a dog’s body. Other symptoms of a flea bite include skin irritation, hair loss, and even restlessness.
- Ticks: Ticks cause more localized itching than the widespread effects of fleas, Dr. Smith says. Because ticks can cause Lyme disease in dogs, it’s always best to find and identify them as quickly as possible when they’re on your dog, he adds.
Dog Paw Infection and Inflammation Treatment
If your dog chews or licks their paws to the point where it disrupts their daily activities, speak with a vet professional. A vet will help find the cause so they can recommend the best treatment.
Depending on what’s causing your dog to constantly gnaw on and lick their paws, your vet might recommend the following to treat your dog’s skin condition:
- Oral antifungal medications
- Medicated sprays or topical creams
- Cytopoint shot for allergies
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Oatmeal shampoos
Never give your dog antibiotics, Benadryl, or human pain medication without consulting your vet.
How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Their Paws
Use sock wraps or a cone
Another way to prevent a dog from obsessively chewing on their paws and nails is to apply sock wraps to their paws and place a plastic or fabric recovery cone around their head.
These products will act as physical barriers to keep your dog from further irritating their paws, allowing the areas to heal.
Try redirection or a behavioral consultation
Working with a dog behavioral trainer can help a pooch who’s chewing due to anxiety. “When we understand why [dogs] do this, we can change that habit towards something better, such as using puzzle toys, training games, or maybe a new routine,” says Cuyler.
For dogs chewing due to boredom, you can also offer them chews as an appropriate alternative.
Keep up with nail care and grooming
A consistent nail trimming routine ensures that their nails are at a healthy length. This can make your dog’s nails less desirable for them to chew on.
Regular nail grooming also reduces the risk of nail-related pain, injury, and infection. You can trim your dog’s nails at home or take them to a professional groomer.
Protect your dog’s paws
Preventative treatment can help with recovery and reduce secondary infections on the paw. For example, if your dog is chewing on their feet because of fleas, update their flea treatment and preventatives.
Paw balm is also great for soothing dry and chapped skin, while pet-safe wipe keep paws clean and aid in avoiding infections. Some dogs may also benefit from wearing dog booties on their walks, especially in extreme heat or cold weather.
Will My Dog Stop Chewing On Their Own?
If there is an underlying issue causing your dog to chew on their paws, then it’s unlikely for your dogs to stop chewing on their own, says Dr. Smith.
For example, if a dog doesn’t receive treatment for allergies, they’ll keep chewing or licking their paws to relieve the itchiness. This repetitive behavior can cause problems to worsen and develop into bacterial and yeast infections.
“Addressing the root cause of this issue is crucial in solving this issue, stopping your dog from chewing, and preventing any secondary issues from starting up,” Dr. Smith says.
