Is it harmful to her if I let her lick her paws? She doesn't like stuff on her paws and she does it CONSTANTLY. I try to get her to quit, but I think it's just a fetish she has. Would it really bother her if I just let her lick her feet?
2007-12-21 10:03:20 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
It can be harmful if she continuously licks her paws. It can cause a bacterial infection. There could be a problem that is causing her to lick her paws, like allergies. And your veterinarian will be able to give her medication that will make her more comfortable. If it is not due to a medical problem, which you want to rule out first, then it might just be behavioral. Sometimes due to stress or anxiety.
*Your dog in your avatar is absolutely Adorable!!
2007-12-21 10:08:35 · answer #1 · answered by Stark 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I had this problem with my dog for many months. He wouldn't leave his paws alone. He kept licking them and chewing them, I thought perhaps he'd gotten something stuck in them like a grass seed or something. The vets said it was an allergy and they gave me some shampoo but it didn't help. It got to a point when it was so sore I had to put baby mittens on him to stop him making them worse.
We fianlly realized what it was, I suggested it looked like athletes foot and the fat ran a test on the skin around there and it was a fungus infection. He gave me some different shampoo and he's all better.
It does reoccur once in awhile but I've got the fix now.
2007-12-21 10:18:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would probably advise against it. My old dog used to lick her feet constantly, and then she decided to go that little step further and start nibbling them. Very painful for her to walk after and very costly for me!
Also it could be a symptom of an allergy she may have.
I would suggest a quick trip to a vet. Worth it in the long run, believe me!
2007-12-21 10:16:25 · answer #3 · answered by Nicki 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just keep an eye on her paws for signs of irritation/rawness. She can lick her paws as long as it isn't causing a problem, otherwise, you may need to talk to a vet.
2007-12-21 10:08:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are in an area where she walks through "ice melt", the stuff to keep sidewalks and steps free of snow. Almost all formulas are toxic to animals. Some dogs like to lick so much they will cause sores that become chronic.
2007-12-21 10:09:37 · answer #5 · answered by TKS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like she has allergies, making her feet itch. She's licking to make it stop.
Try switching foods, or maybe check if you're washing her bed in any strong detergents. A vet can give you some antihistamine or cortisone which should stop her in the short term.
2007-12-21 10:08:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some dogs like to the point of obsession. It is like OCD. If sxhe licks to the point of causing sores, seek vet help.
2007-12-21 10:06:59 · answer #7 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, it's probably not harmful, not unless she licks them raw....It might just be a nervous habit that you could correct by telling her no, when she does it for too long, because it probably gets annoying. My 1 year old shepherd bites her nails at times, and I'm afraid she'll crack one...I've been scolding her and she seems to to stopping it.
2007-12-21 10:13:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can become an obsession and cause serious health problems if it gets out of hand. One that is called Lick Granuloma.
See the link below to read about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lick_granuloma
2007-12-21 10:30:36 · answer #9 · answered by Animal Lover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, she may have an allergic reaction on her feet. many dogs have yeast in between their toes. is the hair in between her toes a brownish color? is there an odor? she may have a yeast problem as for getting sick for licking whatever she has on her feet, i would only be concerned if there is any way she could be walking on grass with chemicals.
hope this helped!
2007-12-21 10:08:41 · answer #10 · answered by lefemmeviolent 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋