What Household Remedy Will Stop a Dog From Licking Its Paws?

Before you use household remedies to stop your dog from licking its paws, you need to visit the vet and find out if there is a medical reason for the licking. Ask your vet to check the dog for sores or lumps that require professional medical attention before you try home remedies. If no medical issues are found, you need to find ways to change the behavior of your dog. Stay calm and consistent when working with your dog and you'll soon see positive results.

  1. Medicine

    • Dogs often lick their feet when they're itching. This itching is commonly caused by allergies. Since fleas are the most common allergen for dogs, make sure your dog has a good flea and tick collar or preventative treatment plan in place. Cut up a flea collar and put it in your vacuum bag. Thoroughly vacuum your floors and furniture to help eliminate fleas in your home. Immediately throw out your vacuum bag or thoroughly clean your bagless container. Repeat this process monthly.

    Inspection

    • Inspect your dog's paws. Look for dirt clots, pebbles, slivers or thorns. Gently clean between the paw pads and toes. If your dog is licking because of an irritation, eliminating the irritation will allow the paws to heal and your dog will be less likely to lick its paws. If your dog spends several hours outside or you have a lot of gravel or mulch in the area, you'll want to do this daily, otherwise weekly should be frequently enough.

    Distraction

    • Licking can be a behavioral or boredom problem. When you see your dog licking its paws, redirect its attention by calling it to you, petting it or playing with it. Just like you redirect a toddler's attention, distracting your dog with toys it can lick and chew on will satisfy the need in an acceptable manner. Stay consistent and be prepared; it'll take time to retrain your dog to stop licking its paws.

    Prevention

    • Put a cone on your dog. Cones are large, plastic shells that fit around the neck of your dog and get wider as it moves away from your dog. By putting a cone on your dog, you make it impossible for your dog to reach its paws, eliminating its ability to lick them. Leave the cone on for two to three weeks. If you take it off too soon, the habit of licking its paws isn't likely to be broken. Give it the time needed for the habit to be broken.