How to stop dog from licking paws home remedy

Put an End to Excessive Paw Licking Naturally. Here are 10 effective how to stop dog from licking paws home remedy

Does your dog seem obsessed with licking their paws continuously? Constant licking can lead to skin irritations, infections, soreness and many more other diseases.

While occasional paw licking is normal due to grooming, excessive licking needs an intervention. But the question is:

Why do dogs lick their paws?

Licking is a natural grooming behavior for dogs. They lick their paws to keep them clean, just like they lick other parts of their body.

There are a few other reasons why dogs lick their paws:

Soothing irritations – Dogs may lick their paws if they have minor cuts, abrasions, irritation from litter, allergies, or insect bites. Licking can provide temporary relief from itching or discomfort.

Boredom/stress – Some dogs lick or chew their paws due to boredom, anxiety, stress or obsessive behaviors. It’s a self-soothing mechanism. Being left alone or in kennels can sometimes cause this.

Allergies – Dogs can develop Contact allergies from substances like house dust, grass, pollens etc. This causes the paws to itch and leads to licking.

Parasites – Internal or external parasites like fleas and mites may bite the paws, causing inflammation and itching that licking aims to soothe.

Infection – Paws can become infected from cuts, blisters or hot spots. Licking may be trying to clean a superficial infection.

Dry skin – Just like humans, dogs paws can get dry and flaky in winter. Licking moisturizes the skin.

10 effective home remedies to help stop your dog from licking their paws:

Bitter Apple Spray

Look for bitter apple sprays made specifically for dogs at your local pet store. Lightly mist the paws and discourage licking with the bitter taste. Reapply as needed. The bitter taste convinces dogs that licking is unpleasant without harm.

Coconut Oil

Massage a small amount of virgin coconut oil into the paws and between each toe. Dogs dislike the texture and taste, providing a natural deterrent from obsessive licking.

Coconut oil also moisturizes dry skin that may be itchy. Reapply as a protective barrier after outdoor exposure.

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Slather a thick layer of petroleum jelly onto the paws, coating each toe and pad. Being sticky and unpleasant-tasting, it stops dogs from licking.

Reapply as paws are washed or groomed to maintain the icky texture discouraging licks. For very persistent lickers, consider muzzle use during application for best results.

Witch Hazel

Soak cotton balls in witch hazel, an astringent that tightens pores and has anti-inflammatory properties, and place them inside socks on affected paws.

Witch hazel also tastes unappetizing to discourage licking while helping soothe itchy, irritated skin. Reapply as needed and combine with other remedies for best effectiveness.

Aloe Vera Gel

Directly massaging pure aloe gel onto inflamed, sore or itchy paws offers cooling relief to the skin. Look for varieties specifically formulated for pets.

As dogs instinctively lick paws, the bitter aloe can curb continuous licking habits while healing wounds. Provides an all-natural humectant barrier on paws from the elements too.

Ice Cubes

Gently rubbing an ice cube on paws makes the skin too numb and cold to compulsively lick. As sensation returns, focus training on an alternative to licking like chewing a toy instead.

Ice therapy may also reduce swelling and discomfort that triggers problematic licking behavior. Just be sure to towel dry well after each session.

Baking Soda Paste

Stir together baking soda with just enough water to form a spreadable paste and generously coat paws using fingers or soft brush.

The drying properties of baking soda repel moisture while discouraging licking of the salty, drying mixture. Like other repellent pastes, requires reapplying after activities involving wet paws.

Oatmeal Baths

Add 1/2 cup colloidal oatmeal to cooled bath water. Oatmeal acts as a gentle cleanser and skin protectant while relaxing dogs in soothing baths. The hydrating properties relieve itch and heal problem areas, taking away the drive to obsessively lick.

Multiple weekly baths aid chronic afflicted skin issues better than single applications alone.

Apple Cider Vinegar

For yeast or bacterial infections suspected as the irritation cause, add 2 tablespoons of raw organic apple cider vinegar to the bath water.

Vinegar balances pH and kills pathogens exacerbating itchy skin problems. Soaks allow acetic acid penetration into the fur and skin to eliminate root causes encouraging excess paw licking behavior.

Zymox Enzymatic Solution

For stubborn, long term conditions, try applying enzymatic powder solutions like Zymox Topical Solution directly to paws as directed. Enzymes safely break down toxins, debris and microbes fueling the compulsion to lick.

Combined with restricted licking time and other remedies, enzymatic cleansers get to the root cause faster for lasting relief.

Key Takeaway:

• Regularly monitor your dog response to the remedies to make sure they are effective.
• Home remedies to stop dog from licking paws can provide temporary relief, but some issues like allergies, infections, or injuries must require professional attention.
• Combine natural treatments with modern veterinary advice for the best results.
• Consistency is key; apply the remedies regularly and observe for improvements.
• Maintain open communication with your vet to ensure your dog paw health and overall well-being.
• Be patient, as it may take time to break the licking habit and heal the underlying causes.

How to stop dog from licking paws

Give them toys, it will help your dog to distract them from licking their paws, such as bully sticks, rubber chew toys, or stuffed Kong toys that dispense treats as your dog works to remove them.

You can also try food puzzle toys that encourage your dog to use their paws and nose to work out how to get treats, requiring mental stimulation versus paw licking.

Providing appropriately sized rawhide bones or other chew treats is also a suitable alternative for your dog to focus their licking and chewing urges on instead of their paws. Rotating between different interactive toys helps maintain their interest and engagement in the toys rather than licking.

Conclusion:

With consistent use of natural home remedies, dogs can be redirected from excessive paw licking habits where irritation decreases skin problems.

Addressing likely causes heals problem areas and breaks obsessive behavioral cycles through multi-pronged approaches. Deterrents, soothing relief and infections controls all work together to restore healthy paws.