You want to stop dog from licking paws raw – AGAIN! How do you achieve this?
To stop your dog from licking its paws raw you begin by identifying the root cause of this thoughtless behavior, which either a medical condition, sheer habit or both may have triggered in your dog.
Both conditions require different treatment. A persistent injury, allergies, skin irritation are physical reasons why a dog may lick its paw raw. Boredom and compulsive disorders are behavioral issues that may also result in this damaging habit
Quickly address these concerns because they may lead to infection and greater health risks for your dog the longer you permit them to last.
But what about natural grooming? Though some grooming is normal, more in some breeds than others, no dog will normally lick its paw raw. Too much licking damages fur and skin, and this causes the dog greater discomfort. Why then would your dog persist to a point of inflicting itself harm?
Rule out the physical problems first. They are the most immediately detrimental to your pup’s health. Treating a biological issue as a behavioral problem first will NOT stop the licking that could worsen due to neglect.
If you rule out a physical cause for the licking, then shift toward treating the behavioral issue with training to stop dog from licking its paws raw. Licking that stems from compulsion requires behavior replacement training and dedication at breaking an old habit with a new one. You may also elect to use some special anti-licking tools to facilitate the change in behavior.
Let’s study some culprits that keep your dog licking its paw raw.
Solving The Physical Root Causes of Dog Licking Paw Raw
Debris and Injury Cause Raw Paw Licking
The cause of your dog’s unhealthy paw licking may be something as simple as debris between the toes. A foreign object lodged in place or stuck to the fur and inaccessible to the tongue may be rubbing or chaffing away, needing immediate removal that the dog cannot alone accomplish.
Your dog may have sustained some injury. Check your dog’s paws for any cuts, splinters, or insect stingers. Make sure to spread the toes slowly and carefully and view thoroughly even with a magnifying glass. Using a warm bath to make your dog more comfortable, gain greater visibility cleaning the area from dirt and debris. Don’t use any harsh soaps just in case there is an open wound.
If the cause is simply debris, remove it with tweezers. Use your best judgement whether you can safely do so, depending how wedged in it may be. If it is an injury, then take your pet to the veterinarian. If you dress a dog wound yourself, make sure you research how to do this properly to avoid causing infection. Once dressed, you can use a soft dog comfy protective cone to keep your dog from chewing or licking the wound while it heals.
Allergy Rash and Skin Conditions Causing Raw Paw Licking
To stop your dog from licking its paws raw, you may need to address some medical conditions, such as allergies. Though dogs are naturally carnivorous, many dog foods contain grains and other non-meat fillers. They’re problematic ingredients to a dog’s diet and may cause yeast problems. The yeast can build up between your dog’s toes causing itching and burning.
Check for rashes or irritated skin. If you find that this is the cause, you may have to change to a high protein food for your pup, though keep in mind that some dogs may also be allergic to beef, chicken and dairy. You may consider equipping your dog with the benefits of over-the-counter hypoallergenic medication, formulated specially for pups.
If your dog has fleas, then an allergic reaction to a flea bite may cause lick granuloma. This is technical name given to a dog licking the same spot until it causes trauma, leading to a wound that becomes infected and thickens the skin.
If it’s not allergies that may be causing your dog to lick, then with the assistance of a vet, you may use some bad-tasting substances, such as bitter sprays, to apply to the affected area and discourage further licking.
You could make yourself a solution at home, as well, such as mixing 1 cup of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice with 1/2 cup of white vinegar and pouring into a spray bottle. Test on a clean towel to give the dog to sniff. If the dog licks it (some dogs will eat anything!), then you know the mix won’t work. But if your dog is repulsed by it, then you got what you need to use to discourage further licking. Simply be careful where you apply it. Raw skin is extremely sensitive and applying this mix may sting the dog, which is not the purpose of using the spray.
Instead, use an anti-lick gel that is alcohol-free, pH neutral like water, non-flammable, not acidic or caustic and fragrance-free, without dye so it won’t stain, but really bitter to keep the dog from licking itself raw. The Synergy Labs Fooey! Ultra Bitter Gel may work for some dogs. As mentioned before, you need to test because some dogs will eat anything (even their own poop!). So, some deterrents do well with some pooches and others not one bit!
Solving Behavioral Root Causes of Dog Paw Licking
Your dog may have a stress-related or compulsive disorder at the root of its excessive paw licking. In fact, some studies indicate that licking reduces stress hormones in dogs, which explains why they lick more and more to become less stressed. If you have already ruled out a physical cause for the licking, then maybe stress is the cause. To handle stress through medication, you need a veterinarian’s assistance to provide you with stress reducing medication for your licking dog or tranquilizers.
Some breeds, such as German Shepherds, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Irish Setters and Great Danes, have a higher tendency to groom. But if the grooming becomes unhealthy, then addressed the habit immediately, before more damage is done by a behavioral disorder.
Tackling these disorders will likely take some skill, but there are a few methods and secret weapons you can use to achieve the results. The first method is behavior replacement training, by using distraction. It will take some time to accomplish, but in the long run it will be worth it.
Watch your dog closely. When your pup begins to lick, get its attention with play or previously learned training (such as sit, lay, speak, etc.) Do this every time your dog starts licking. If your distraction is successful, reward with praise or a treat. If positive reinforcement does not work, consider using negative reinforcement.
Note: NEVER distract the licking WITH a treat. Doing this will only reinforce the licking. You must have first succeeded in the distraction, with your pup displaying markedly different behavior. The reward is ONLY for that DIFFERENT behavior – NOT for licking its paws!
It never hurts to find the right kind of bitter licking repellent solution that might work on your dog. The Rocco & Roxie No Chew Extreme Bitter Spray for Dogs may be an option, as it has the double-strength of extreme bitter formulations. It’s an alcohol-free formula that works longer than alcohol-based formulas that evaporate as the alcohol dries.
Stop Dog From Licking Paws Raw Through Loving Care
You can stop your dog from licking its paws raw, if you are patient and more persistent than the licking. Like putting out a fire, you must first identify the base from which the behavior arises. When you find its cause, use the proper medical or training methods to ‘squelch’ the licking.
Sometimes it may be as simple as removing a foreign object. Other times it may require behavioral modification training, which takes time. If you’re in a hurry, then learning how to use a good training collar may help you, especially if your trying to prevent the acral lick granuloma from worsening, once your dog has licked its paws raw. Make sure to stop it before it causes infection greater health problems.