What Those Paws May Be Trying to Tell You
If your dog occasionally gives their paws a lick, there may be nothing unusual about it. Dogs groom themselves too.
But when licking becomes constant — when your dog keeps returning to their paws, chewing between their toes, staining the fur, making the skin red and sore, or even licking until the skin becomes raw — I don't believe we should simply dismiss it as a habit.
Your dog may be trying to tell you that something isn't right.
I've seen this problem from both sides — as a dog owner and as a professional groomer.
And it's one of the reasons LAPA exists.
Quick answer: Why does my dog keep licking their paws?
Occasional paw licking can be normal. Persistent licking or chewing, however, can be associated with allergies, irritation, bacterial or yeast-related skin problems, parasites, injury, something lodged in the paw, pain, and sometimes behavioural or neurological causes.
Paw licking is a sign — not a diagnosis.
The goal isn't simply to stop the licking. It's to understand why your dog is doing it.
And while you're searching for that answer, I believe there's another important job:
care for the skin that's suffering in the meantime.
For Me, Paw Licking Became Personal
One of my own dogs has a neurological condition that causes him to obsessively “lick” the air. He can continue doing it until, in his own world, he feels it's time to stop.
Then I started noticing something different.
The hair and skin around his paws began changing as he developed allergy problems.
Then came the paw licking.
And he became what I can only describe as an obsessive paw-licking machine.
Suddenly, paw licking wasn't simply something I was seeing in other people's dogs during grooming.
I was living it with my own dog.
We went to the vet and medication was prescribed to control his symptoms. It provided some relief, but for me it also raised a much bigger question:
What could I do to support his skin and help keep him comfortable while we continued trying to understand and manage what was causing the problem?
That experience made me much more aware of the skin damage and discomfort repeated licking can cause — and of how upsetting it can be for the whole family watching their dog struggle.
My own experience with persistent paw licking changed the way I look at canine skin and paw care.
When Licking Creates More Licking
One of the cruel things about irritated paws is the cycle they can create.
Something irritates the paw.
↓
The dog licks because it's uncomfortable.
↓
Repeated licking further irritates the skin.
↓
The skin becomes even more uncomfortable.
↓
The dog licks again.
And the cycle continues.
Repeated licking and chewing can damage already irritated skin, while underlying skin problems can also be complicated by secondary bacterial or yeast infections.
So although licking may begin because of one problem, the damage caused by persistent licking can eventually become another problem in itself.
So Why Is Your Dog Licking Their Paws?
There isn't one answer.
That's perhaps the most important thing for dog owners to understand.
Allergies
Environmental allergies can cause itchy, inflamed skin, and the feet are one of the areas commonly affected.
Environmental triggers can include things such as pollen, grasses, moulds and dust mites. Food allergy can also cause skin symptoms in some dogs.
Dogs experiencing allergic skin problems may also show other signs, such as itchy ears, recurrent ear problems, facial rubbing or irritation elsewhere on the body.
Irritation From the Environment
Think about everything those little paws encounter.
Grass. Plants. Dirt. Wet surfaces. Cleaning products. Different flooring. The outdoors.
Sometimes environmental contact may contribute to irritation, particularly in a dog whose skin is already sensitive.
Something Stuck in the Paw
If your dog suddenly becomes obsessed with one particular paw, take a careful look.
A grass seed, splinter, cut, damaged nail, sting or another local injury may be responsible.
Bacterial or Yeast-Related Skin Problems
Skin problems involving bacteria or yeast can cause significant discomfort and itching.
You might notice changes such as redness, odour, discharge, scaling or changes in the skin and coat.
Sometimes these problems develop secondarily after an underlying condition and repeated licking have compromised the skin.
Parasites
Fleas, mites and other parasites can also contribute to itching and skin irritation.
Pain
Dogs don't only lick because something itches.
Pain or discomfort can also cause a dog to repeatedly focus on an area.
Behavioural or Neurological Causes
Repetitive licking can sometimes have a behavioural or neurological component too — something my own dog's experience has made me particularly conscious of.
That's another reason I don't believe we should look at a licking dog and automatically decide:
“It's allergies.”
We need to look at the whole dog.
What I See as a Professional Groomer
This is where the problem becomes very real for me.
I've had dogs come into my grooming salon with paws so red and raw that I could hardly touch them, let alone safely work around them with grooming tools.
I've seen dogs limp because their paws are so uncomfortable.
And yet the moment their owner is ready to take them for a walk, they light up.
They're hurting — and they still want to go.
They still want to explore.
They still want to be beside us.
Seriously, we don't deserve the love dogs give us.
Seeing dogs like this is one of the reasons paw care became so important to me.
Finding the Source Can Take Time — Your Dog's Skin Still Needs Care
This is one of the most important things I want owners to take away from this article.
Yes, we should look for the reason your dog is licking.
Skincare shouldn't be used to disguise an underlying problem that requires veterinary attention.
But finding the source isn't always instant.
There may be veterinary examinations, treatment of secondary problems, allergy investigations, dietary or environmental changes, observation and sometimes trial and error before you understand what's happening.
Meanwhile, your dog is still uncomfortable.
That's where my philosophy is perhaps a little different.
I don't believe finding the cause and caring for the skin need to be competing choices.
You can do both.
Investigate the source while giving the affected skin appropriate supportive care.
For me, that's one of the most important roles LAPA can play.
LAPA isn't about replacing the search for the cause. It's about supporting your dog's skin and comfort while you search for it.
I Went Looking for Something I Couldn't Find
After experiencing paw licking with my own dog — and seeing it repeatedly in my grooming salon — I started looking much more closely at skincare.
I tried different products.
I spoke with dog owners.
I spoke with people in the pet industry.
But I struggled to find what I was looking for: products I felt comfortable incorporating into regular skin care, with ingredients and formulations I could feel confident using.
Because of my previous qualifications and my determination to find another approach, I eventually began working with a very knowledgeable naturopath.
I wanted more than simply another bottle on the pet-shop shelf.
And that's how the LAPA skincare range began to come alive.
Why I Called It LAPA
Naming the range was actually the easy part.
LAPA means “paw” in Russian.
After my experience with my own dog and seeing so many dogs arriving at my grooming salon with paw-related problems, the name simply made sense.
The paws were where so much of this journey had started.
From my own dog.
From the dogs on my grooming table.
From seeing owners trying desperately to work out what was wrong.
And from wanting to find another way to support the skin while they searched for those answers.
So LAPA it became.
How I Care for Uncomfortable Paws During Grooming
When a dog comes to me with sensitive-looking paws, I don't want to simply rush through the groom.
The way I approach that dog matters.
And while LAPA's three products are extremely versatile and can be used individually or together depending on the situation, this is how I often use the combination as part of paw care when appropriate.
Step 1 — LAPA Calm Mist
When needed, LAPA Calm Mist is my first step.
Its versatility means I can incorporate it into different areas of my skincare and grooming work, including paw care, without unnecessarily handling already sensitive skin.
Then Comes the Bath
The washing and bathing experience also has what I call “Alla's touch.”
I carefully select the products I use and pay attention to what the dog's skin and coat are telling me throughout the groom.
But what happens after washing is particularly important.
Thorough drying.
I carefully and thoroughly dry the coat and paws.
When skin is already irritated and sore, I don't want unnecessary moisture remaining around the paw and between the toes.
It's one of those seemingly small grooming details that can matter enormously when you're working with sensitive skin.
Step 2 — LAPA Rescue Gel
After drying, I can apply LAPA Rescue Gel where targeted topical care is appropriate.
Its gel texture makes it useful when I want to concentrate the product on a particular area while I continue with the rest of the groom.
And yes — there's a reason I work on the paws last.
If those paws are already sore, I don't want to spend the entire grooming appointment repeatedly disturbing them.
I prefer to give the products time while I work elsewhere and leave the detailed paw work until the end, when I can give those paws my full attention.
It may seem like a small decision.
To an uncomfortable dog, small decisions matter.
Step 3 — LAPA Comfort Cream
Watch How I Apply LAPA Comfort Cream to a Dog's Paws
Sometimes it's much easier to show you than simply explain it.
In this short video, you can see how I apply LAPA Comfort Cream to a dog's paws as the finishing skincare step of my grooming process.
At the end of the groom, Comfort Cream provides the richer moisturising and soothing step in my paw-care routine.
For me, this completes the combination:
Calm Mist → Rescue Gel → Comfort Cream
Three versatile products.
Three different textures and applications.
Used individually or together according to what I'm trying to achieve.
Not because every dog needs all three every time — but because having a versatile skincare system gives me options.
EXPLORE THE LAPA SKINCARE RANGE
LAPA Doesn't Replace Finding the Cause
I want to be absolutely clear about this.
If your dog's paws are persistently red, swollen, painful or bleeding — or you notice wounds, discharge, unpleasant odour, limping, constant chewing or a sudden change in behaviour — please speak with your veterinarian.
There may be an underlying medical problem that skincare alone cannot resolve.
But veterinary investigation and supportive skincare don't have to be opposing choices.
Find the source.
Treat the underlying problem when treatment is needed.
And care for the skin along the way.
Because sometimes finding the answer takes time.
Your dog shouldn't simply be forgotten while you're searching for it.
What Can I Check at Home?
If you've noticed your dog licking their paws repeatedly, take a quiet moment and actually look at them.
Check:
- Is your dog licking one paw or several?
- Is there redness between the toes?
- Can you see swelling?
- Is the skin damaged?
- Is the fur changing colour?
- Is there an unusual smell?
- Is there discharge?
- Is a nail damaged?
- Can you see a grass seed, splinter or other foreign material?
- Is your dog limping?
- Does the licking happen particularly after walks or time outside?
- Are the ears itchy too?
- Is the problem getting worse?
You don't need to diagnose your dog yourself.
You're simply gathering information.
And that information may be very useful when you speak with your veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for dogs to lick their paws?
Some occasional paw licking can simply be normal grooming behaviour.
What deserves more attention is licking that becomes persistent or intense, particularly when you also notice redness, swelling, hair or fur changes, damaged skin, odour, pain or limping.
Why is my dog constantly licking their paws?
There isn't one single cause.
Possible explanations include allergies, irritation, bacterial or yeast-related skin problems, parasites, injury, foreign material, pain and sometimes behavioural or neurological causes.
Persistent licking is therefore something to investigate rather than simply trying to stop.
Why are my dog's paws red between the toes?
Redness can occur when skin is inflamed or irritated and may be associated with several different underlying problems.
Repeated licking can also further irritate already uncomfortable skin.
If the redness persists, becomes painful, swollen or smelly, produces discharge, or your dog continually chews at the area, seek veterinary advice.
Why does my dog lick their paws after walking on grass?
For some dogs, contact with environmental triggers such as grass or pollen may contribute to irritated or itchy skin.
If you notice a repeated pattern after walks, make a note of it. Patterns like these can be useful when you're trying to identify what's triggering the problem.
Why is my dog licking only one paw?
Sudden, intense attention to one paw makes me particularly interested in what's happening to that individual paw.
Look carefully for an injury, damaged nail, swelling, sting, grass seed or another foreign object.
If your dog is limping, appears painful or you can't identify the problem, veterinary assessment is appropriate.
Can I care for my dog's skin while we're investigating what's causing the licking?
That's exactly the philosophy behind LAPA.
Finding the underlying cause matters, particularly when symptoms are persistent or severe.
But finding the answer can take time.
Appropriate supportive skincare can be part of caring for the affected skin and your dog's comfort while you and your veterinarian investigate what's happening.
Skincare supports the journey. It doesn't replace the diagnosis.
Look at the Paws. Listen to the Dog.
If your dog is constantly licking their paws, don't simply tell them to stop.
Look.
Check between their toes.
Notice whether it's one paw or several.
Pay attention to redness, swelling, odour, damaged skin, discomfort and changes in behaviour.
Think about when the licking happens.
And if it continues, investigate why.
Your dog's paws may be trying to tell you something.
Is Your Dog Struggling With Uncomfortable Paws?
LAPA was created because I've experienced this problem personally — with my own dog and with dogs coming through my grooming salon.
I believe in looking for the underlying cause.
But I also believe in caring for the dog who's standing in front of us today.
Find the source. Care for the skin. Don't let your dog suffer while you're searching for the answer.
That's more than a slogan to me.
It's why LAPA exists.
— Alla, Founder of LAPA & Professional Dog Groomer (at Dogs Victoria Christmas Expo 2025)
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Persistent, painful, worsening or unusual skin and paw problems should be assessed by a veterinarian.