Why is my dog licking its feet?

If your dog is excessively licking or chewing its feet, it could be a sign they are itchy. Itchy feet can be caused by a number of diseases, one of the most common reasons being allergies. Allergic skin diseases such as atopy, contact allergy or food allergy can cause itchy and irritated skin. These signs can be more generalised or sometimes localised to a specific body region, such as the feet.

Your veterinarian will need to perform diagnostic tests such as skin scrapings, trichograms, sticky tape impressions and/or blood tests to exclude other possible diseases such as a bacterial or fungal skin infections, endocrine diseases or parasites. These diagnostic tests are an important step in identifying the underlying cause and implementing the most appropriate treatment and ongoing management.

Contact your veterinarian for further information.