My Dog Is Acting Like His Paws Itch

If you notice your dog's paws appear red or swollen and see your dog constantly chewing on them, your dog may have a skin condition causing its feet to itch, making it uncomfortable. Check the feet for any chemical contaminant it may have stepped in and wash them off with soap and water. If the condition continues, see a veterinarian to diagnose the cause of your dog's itchy feet.

  1. Pododermatitis

    • Pododermatitis, also called interdigital dermatitis, is a diagnosis that refers to general inflammation of a dog's feet that leads to itching. Both environmental and food allergies can lead to pododermatitis. Signs of this include the dog licking its paws to try to alleviate the itching, which can cause a type of discoloration called salivary staining. Other causes of pododermatitis include an infestation of mange mites and internal diseases. Autoimmune diseases including lupus and pemphigus can cause lesions on the feet and cracked foot pads, according to the website PetPlace. Pancreatic tumors and liver cirrhosis can also cause hard, cracked foot pads, occurring months before other symptoms of these diseases.

    Acral Lick Granuloma

    • If a dog licks incessantly at its feet, it can lead to a condition called acral lick granuloma, which causes skin lesions, hair loss and infections at the site of the licking. The dog may lick its feet due to allergies, painful arthritis, inflammation of the nerves, infections, parasites or psychological problems such as boredom or stress, according to the Long Beach Animal Hospital. The condition is more prevalent in certain dog breeds and can cause lameness and a lack of appetite. Acral lick granuloma usually first appears in dogs at least five years old due to seasonal allergies.

    Skin Infections

    • Because dogs walk on a variety of soils, they may pick up a fungal infection with their feet. These infections, including the ringworm fungus, cause itching of the feet, abnormal nail growth and weakening of the nails themselves. Mite infestations not only cause itching of the feet, but the irritation itself can lead to secondary bacterial infections, causing further discomfort to the dog. To determine the cause of the infection, a veterinarian will take a skin scraping from the sight of the inflammation or a nail clipping if a fungus is suspected. Once the doctor determines the type of infection, he can give appropriate treatment for it.

    Treatment

    • After determining the cause of your dog's itchy feet, a veterinarian will give you antibiotic medication or antifungal medication to treat infections. For allergies, you may have to frequently wash the dog's feet, along with changing to a hypoallergenic diet. To treat parasitic infestations, a topical insecticide may be prescribed. Other treatments include the application of mineral oil to reduce cracked paw pads and cortisone sprays to reduce inflammation and itching. Your veterinarian may also recommend nutritional supplements with essential fatty acids or immune booster shots. Treatment of any underlying medical condition reduces the itching of the paws. During treatment, the doctor may suggest the use of an Elizabethan collar to prevent the dog from licking its paws.