Constant Paw Licking

[Brianna Miller]

Good Morning!!

Murphy, our labradoodle, has started a constant paw licking in the last couple of weeks. We noticed it a few weeks ago in the middle of the night, but he stopped for a few days.... He's back at it again and it almost seems obsessive. He licks both front paws (so I assume it's not a burr or sticker in his foot) and it always starts in the middle of the night. Any suggestions or ideas of what could be causing this?? Allergies? Since it's winter time, I would have thought allergies wouldn't be the cause but maybe there are winter allergies? We are up for trying anything at this point. 

Thank you from a very tired doodle mom :) 

Brianna Miller

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

The most common suggestion will be to wipe his paws with baby wipes or some clean wet cloth after every trip outdoors. Maybe its the dryness from the colder weather? Is it snowing where you are? How about paw protectors when you take him out for a walk? Just some ideas as I sit here with my first cup of coffee. 

[Brianna Miller]

Thank you! We live in Oklahoma, so it honestly hasn't been that cold at all yet! We've been in the 60s every day this week :) We have this Tropiclean Paw and Pad treatment that we used last night that is supposed to help with dryness, but I guess it didn't work well enough! We will definitely start wiping his paws after walks or trips outside.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with wiping the paws each time which should help if it's an environmental allergy.  My Murphy has a bit of OCD and sometimes he'll do something that just becomes a habit....like paw licking.  He can start licking because he's been out in the rain but then just not stop. I verbally tell him "no" and then divert him....like throwing a ball.  Then he usually stops.  Of course, that's going to be difficult in the middle of the night.  Just a thought.

[DonMarie and Picco]

I have this problem with Picco too!  I have some balled up old socks near my pillow to throw at him during the night. It works as long as I hit him!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Paw licking is one of the major signs of environmental (inhalant) allergies, (and yes, allergy symptoms can indeed occur in winter, because some of the most common allergens in dogs are dust mites and storage mites, both of which are present in the home year round) but it wouldn't be happening only at night, unless he spends most of his time outdoors during the day. 

In addition to the suggestion of wiping paws, make absolutely sure that his paws are kept completely clean and dry. 

I'm not familiar with the Paw Pad treatment you are using, but if it involves keeping any part of the paws moist or greasy, that's a huge no-no. Moisture exacerbates itching. 

I would also check the Omega 6:3 ratio on his food (it should be less than 5 to 1) and perhaps try giving him a fish oil supplement. Some of us use evening primrose oil supplements instead of fish oil for itchy dogs.

Try washing his bed/blankets every week, too. 

You might also try an OTC anti-itch spray, which are usually available at most pet supply stores. 

If none of that helps, I agree with Jane that it's also possible that this is just a habit. 

[Brianna Miller]

Urgh- I sure hope it's not a habit!! Do you think a dehumidifier would be helpful? It has been a bit rainy here, maybe his paws have stayed too moist? How do you suggest keeping them dry? 

He eats Wellness Simple Turkey & Potato. I will try the fish oil supplement. 

Thanks for all your suggestions!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You're feeding an excellent food, but a fish oil supplement probably won't hurt and might help. 

Damp weather always makes JD's paws itchy. The trick is to make sure the fur in between the toes and pads is dried. I just use a towel for that. 

[Jenny and Cooper]

Karen, I posted below regarding Cooper's constant front paw licking.  Can you please help me.  Thanks! -- Jenny 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is the time of year when allergy symptoms are common. Here's some info on things you can do to make him more comfortable: 

Give Omega 3 fatty acid supplements. You want the Omega 3 fatty acids DHA & EPA, which are only found in fish. You can also give GLA in the form of evening primrose oil supplements. In both cases, use human softgel supplements. 

If you feed dry dog food, check the Omega 6:3 ratio. You want a ratio of 5:1 or less, the lower the better, and the Omega 3 content should come from fish.

Give antihistamines. Different antihistamines are more effective for different dogs. Typically, you want second generation antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness, like Claritin, Zyrtec, Atarax, etc. rather than Benadryl.

Use OTC anti-itch sprays on the affected areas. These are available at most pet supply stores.

Wipe the dog down every time he comes in from outside, paying particular attention to the feet. Brush the dog daily.

Keep the indoor areas where the dog spends the most time as clean and dust free as possible. Wash bedding weekly, wash food & water bowls daily. Vacuum as often as possible.

Keep dry foods in air-tight storage containers and don;t buy more than you can use in a month unless you can freeze it. 

If the feet are affected, you can soak them in tepid water with epsom salts. Be sure to dry thoroughly afterwards.

Bathe the dog often, weekly if possible, with a shampoo formulated for allergic dogs. (I like Douxo Calm). Do NOT use leave-in conditioners or other grooming products. Use a cool dryer setting or air-dry. 

As much as I hate doing it, keeping windows closed really helps with pollen allergies. Run the A/C in warm weather especially, the allergy symptoms are exacerbated by humidity. Use a furnace filter with a high allergen rating and change it monthly. 

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/some-basic-facts-about?gro...

[Jenny and Cooper]

Wow, thank you Karen. Looks like I have a lot of hw to do. I'll go through your list and make sure I cover everything. After our walk this morning, I made sure to dip and rinse each of his paws in water. I also checked his Adult Orijen food and looks like the fish ratio is 3:1. I am going to get the anti-spray in a few hours. He was going at it again this morning right after he came out of his playpen. Kinda funny he doesn't kick it while he is inside. So far after the walk he hasn't done it but I KNOW he will later. I found some really long socks for him this morning, harder to get it off. Lol. Thank you again so much! Will keep you posted!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Orijen's formulas have the best Omega 3 content and Omega 6:3 ratios of any dry food; Jack's dermatologist recommends them for dogs with Atopy. 

The itching is due to a histamine response in the bloodstream, which is a reaction to the allergens entering the bloodstream through inhalation. It doesn't stop the minute the dog gets inside, it's an ongoing process. Info in the link. 

[Jenny and Cooper]

Thanks Karen. I did almost everything you listed. Cooper gets a bath from us every two weeks and goes to the groomer once a month. We do wash his paws on a regular basis especially if he comes home with super dirty paws. I'll have to make sure I wipe them more often after our walks. I also brush him daily because I'm afraid he will may again!.

I ordered the spray from Amazon as soon as I got your response. If it doesn't, I will try the one you recommended from chewy.com.

I've been threatening Cooper with socks every time he tries to lick it. Lol so far, it has worked cus he hates socks. I know he licks a lot more in the evening though.

I didn't buy the Omega3 supplements. I assume I don't need to since he has enough from his Orijen food correct? I will also give him Zirtec since I have it already for one of my boys.

Thanks so much! I'll attach a pic of Cooper with his mismatching socks on. Lol