Why does my bulldog lick his paws

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. Skip to main content. Posts by:. Justine A. Diagnosis of an underlying infection requires certain tests from your veterinarian including: Tape preparation cytology analysis using a piece of tape Culture Skin biopsy less common Once these tests are done, your veterinarian can determine the best course of appropriate treatment.

This may include: A food trial with a novel new protein for at least weeks— It is absolutely key that you make sure no other rawhides, treats, snakes, bones or other food products even heartworm medication are given during this time.

Ideally, food trials should be started in the winter depending on the climate that you live in. Year-round flea and tick medication that kills quickly— Newer prescription oral products e. Questions to ask your veterinarian: Does my dog need a prescription food trial?

Does my dog need year-round flea and tick control? Most likely, your bulldog is just grooming itself. More serious reasons may include wounds, fractured claws, burns, or skin infections. Frequent licking can lead to more skin irritation and make your pet even more uncomfortable. Breeds like American Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Pit Bulls are known to have the most skin problems and are prone to develop a need to lick and chew their feet.

To identify the real issue, you will have to look for signs of redness, blisters, hair loss, and swelling. Take an appointment at the veterinarian to know about the other issues like a yeast infection or food allergy. There may also lie a psychological factor, meaning your dog might be feeling nervous or anxious.

The crux is if you notice that your dog is chewing or licking his paws obsessively, you need to take immediate action. Your dog may lick his paws when he is feeling nervous or even when he has nothing better to do. Other than this, there can be many underlying reasons why your dog keeps licking his paws. When you notice your dog licking its paws after a walk, it may be allergic to grass, pesticide, and plants.

Excessive licking after a meal can indicate an allergic reaction to food such as chicken and dairy. If necessary, the veterinarian will carry out an allergic test on your dog to establish a clear idea of what he could be allergic to. Also, make sure your home is free of dust and mold which could also be a nuisance.

Here are some of the ways you can get rid of this nasty habit. First and foremost establish the reason why your dog is licking his paw before trying to alter his behavior. If it is related to a health issue, take advice from your veterinarian.

It can be anything from anxiety, dermatitis, and hormones. Once it is resolved, you will notice the paw licking disappears too. If your dog is suffering from boredom, there are several things you can do. Here is a checklist to go through and determine if your dog is licking his paw only when he is getting bored. If any of the answer to the above-mentioned question is no, then consider these simple steps to reduce his boredom.

There can be multiple reasons why your dog may be licking his paw. While is it quite common for a dog to lick his paw out of grooming behavior, it may even signal an underlying problem. If his habit is due to an allergy, make sure to get rid of the things he is allergic to. Food that triggers his allergy should be avoided at all costs. Allergies can be environmental or caused by their diet.

Pay attention and see if the licking corresponds to a certain time of year. That will typically tell us that the reason is an environmental allergy. If the licking is year round it is worth seeing if your dog might have a food allergy.

The most economical way to do this is to put your dog on a new diet duck and potato foods are a popular choice for this and see if the licking stops. The next stop to ruling out allergies is to talk with your vet and see what they recommend.

Another common reason that dogs will constantly lick a paw is when they have pain either in the paw or elsewhere in the body. Many dogs that are having pain anywhere in their body will lick a front paw continuously as a way to deal with the pain.