Why does my dog keep licking his paws after walks?

If your dog licks his paws mainly after walks, the most common reasons are that he’s reacting to something he stepped on or through.

Common causes include:

• Environmental allergies: Grass, pollen, and weeds can stick to the paws and make them itchy.
• Lawn chemicals or other irritants: Fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and similar products can irritate the skin and cause contact dermatitis.
• Foreign objects: Things like foxtails, grass awns, burrs, thorns, splinters, pebbles, or small cuts can get caught between the toes.
• Hot or rough surfaces: Hot pavement, concrete, or rough terrain can irritate or injure paw pads.
• Parasites: Fleas, ticks, or mites can sometimes contribute to paw irritation.
• Infection or yeast overgrowth: If the paws are red, greasy, swollen, or have a strong odor, an infection or yeast problem may be involved.

What you can do:

• Inspect the paws, including between the toes, for redness, swelling, cuts, debris, or anything stuck.
• Wipe the paws after walks with a damp cloth or pet-safe wipes.
• Avoid very hot pavement and consider booties if the surface is harsh or there’s lots of pollen or irritants.
• If the paws seem irritated often, your vet can help check for allergies, infection, or a foreign body.

See a veterinarian if the licking is persistent or if you notice limping, bleeding, swelling, discharge, a bad smell, or signs of a stuck foxtail or other foreign body.