From tiny Chihuahua paw pads to large St. Bernard paw pads, the pads are the toughest part of a dog’s body. Much like the way in which shoes protect our feet, a dog’s paw pads protect his feet. All dogs lick their paws. While a dog’s paw print is not unique like a human’s fingerprint, a dog may lick his paws for the same reason a humans licks his fingers: leftover food stuck to the surface.
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Function
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A dog's feet are responsible for balance and holding up her body structure. Dog paws are relatively the same, but some are shaped differently or have webbed toes. For all dogs, though, the paw pads serve as a shock absorber as well as a cushion for the joints. They take the pressure from running, walking and jumping. The surface of the pads is rough to help with gripping, traction and quick turning. The pads are also the means in which dogs sweat.
Allergy
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Allergies are common in dogs, and itching is their most common manifestation, according to Aztec Animal Clinic's website. Whether the allergies are due to contact, inhalants or food, a dog may lick his paws because of itching, redness or swelling. A dog could have an allergic reaction to his bed or collar. Like a human, a dog can have an allergic reaction to weed, tree or grass pollen, mold, mildew and even dust mites. Food allergies may develop in a dog that eats the same type of food for a long period of time. Allergies all have one common factor: the itching they create. One way for a dog to relieve the itching is by licking.
Injury
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Though the paw pad is tough, it is also vulnerable to injury. A foreign object stuck between the toes or matted in the hair could cause injury. It can occur because of hot pavement or sand in the summer or ice or rock salt in the winter, too. The pad may have a cut, burn or puncture. If a dog’s paw pad is dry or cracked, it may itch, leading to the dog licking the paw pad for relief.
Saliva
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Animals everywhere lick their wounds. A dog’s saliva has long been believed to have healing properties. “Dog saliva contains lysozyme, an enzyme that lyses and destroys harmful bacteria,” according to Dog Reflections article on The Dog Guide website. The enzyme works like an antibiotic, but the act of licking also has healing properties. “Direct stimulation of the tissues and small blood vessels...helps to increase blood flow and promote the growth of new capillaries,” the article states. Thus, a dog licking her paws is a natural instinct, an instinct to heal or keep clean.
Stress
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All dogs groom themselves, and licking paw pads is part of that process. Sometimes paw licking is a sign that something is wrong, however. Besides licking his paws and paw pads because of stuck food, an allergy or injury or for healing saliva, a dog may lick them because of stress. If the paw pad licking is obsessive, it may be an outlet for his anxiety.
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