Why Your Dog Keeps Licking Their Paws (And How to Stop It Naturally)

What It Means And How I Treat It Naturally

If your dog is licking his or her paws nonstop, you need to pay attention. This is one of the most common issues I see, especially during spring.

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Spring in Nelson is beautiful. Flowers, birds, warm weather, and yes, the sound of a chainsaw. But with spring comes something many dog parents dread: excessive paw licking.

As you can see, Pippy is demonstrating exactly what I do not want dogs doing.

Let’s walk through what causes this and what I do at home to help.

Dr. Jones’ Skin Relief Balm for Dogs and Cats

A Natural Remedy For Yeast and Itchy Paws

 

First Step: Check Your Dog’s Paws

Before assuming it is allergies, start simple.

Do a quick exam and make sure there is:

• No foreign material

• Nothing wedged between the pads

• No cuts, thorns, or debris

Once you rule that out, the most common reason becomes clear.

The Most Likely Cause: Allergies

The number one trigger is allergies.
Your dog may be reacting to:

• Food

• Spring pollen

• Grass

• Mold

• Dust

And for many dogs, environmental allergies show up as itchy paws.

But there is usually a second part to the problem.

Secondary Yeast Overgrowth

Many itchy dogs also have a yeast infection on their paws.
The allergy causes the skin to react.
The moisture, licking, and inflammation allow yeast to overgrow.
That makes the itching even worse.

This is why I created what I call my Anti-Paw Licking Foot Soak.

It is simple, natural, and works for the majority of dogs.

My Anti-Paw Licking Foot Soak

For a natural remedy for yeast and itchy paws, here is what you will need:

1. Green Tea

Make one cup of green tea using:

• One tablespoon of loose green tea

• Steeped in two cups of water

• Let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes

Green tea is naturally anti-yeast and soothing.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Add two tablespoons to the tea.

ACV helps fight yeast on the skin.

3. Salt

Add one tablespoon of salt.
Table salt works fine.

4. Lavender Essential Oil

Add ten drops.
I like the quality of Young Living oils, and lavender is calming and lightly antiseptic.

 

How To Use The Foot Soak

Mix it all together:

• One cup green tea

• Two tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• One tablespoon salt

• Ten drops lavender oil

Pour it into a small container.
Immerse your dog’s paws so the toes are fully soaked.

Try to keep the paw in the soak for a full five minutes.
This is easier with small dogs like Pippy, but you can manage it with larger dogs using a shallow bowl or container.

 

Important Note

If your dog has open wounds, skip the vinegar.
Just use the green tea until the skin heals.

 

What To Expect

After five minutes, Pippy’s paw smelled surprisingly pleasant.
The itchiness usually improves quickly.

You can do this twice daily for seven days.
After a week, reassess your dog’s paws to see how much the discomfort has decreased.

Final Thoughts

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