Dog licking paws

I have the same problem when I eat either chicken or ribs.

Our Rat Terrier, Stella Luna, will lick her paws constantly until I take her to the groomer and have her nails trimmed. They grow so fast that it's a 3 week fix only, then back to the groomer. Also, if she is upset about anything she will lick her paws nonstop until I sit on the sofa, ask her to sit in my lap, then pet her until her mind is on something else. She was 5 years old when we bought her from a breeder who did not want her anymore as she was not able to have more pups, not housebroken, didn't appear to understand anything we 'talked' to her about and displayed a starving urchin personality. Now, almost 2 years later her personality has blossomed and she is a joy - with exception of the licking paw syndrome! Just don't give up on any baby with problems as we are not able to walk in their 'shoes'! Shortie

Dogs can be tested for allergies -- ask your vet about it. We had to do that for our rat terrier, which was also licking paws.

Have you changed any of your floor cleaners recently? Or your laundry detergent? Everytime we didn't use hypo allergenic, no dye, no perfume laundry detergent our dog would lick obsessively for hours. Once we figured it out and stopped using them, she stopped licking (it was especially bad with Tide). She also did it when we used certain rug cleaners or fabreze.

I have a dog who is really prone to allergies, licking her paws is one of the first signs an attack is imminent.

Uppercrust wrote:
Daisy has picked up a habit that we are not sure why.

My daughter has small dogs. ALL of them have done this to some degree. If you are talking about licking/nibbling the top part of the paw where the fur is.
I think it is mostly a nervous habit.

If it started recently then my money is on an environmental allergy. Ragweed is a biggie in the fall. There are several OTC antihistamines you can give, and ditto on the foot soaking. As xteacher said, once it starts it can become an OCD like problem. Pain (like arthritis), boredom and stress can be causes, too.

This could be an environmental allergy or a food allergy, or both; once it starts, it can escalate into an obsession if not controlled. My allergy dog has both environmental (grass)and food allergies (all grains, potatoes, alfalfa, chicken) and will sometimes get into a licking habit that I have to stop her from doing.

I've controlled most of it by feeding her a food free from all of the food triggers (Acana Singles Lamb and Apple or Acana Singles Pork and Butternut Squash works well for many food allergy dogs).

When the grass is growing, a foot rinse after coming inside, comprised of 1/2 Braggs Organic Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar and 1/2 water, then pat (not rub) dry is helpful. I put the mixture in a plastic container, deep enough to cover her foot, and I dip each foot in for up to a minute each. Maddie is small, so I use a large container and can fit two of her feet in at the same time. I put a lid on the container after use, and I use it for a day before replacing the mixture. It helps rinse off the allergens and is healing to the skin. You can also dab it on hot spots.