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My dog keeps licking her red, sore paws. Is it allergies or infection?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Welsh Corgi | Female | spayed | 30 lbs

My 3 year old corgi has been excessively licking her two front paw pads for the past few weeks. We noticed it started about the same time we started a new food for breakfast. So we stopped it and continued giving her the same food as usual for breakfast and dinner. It's been 2 weeks and the excessive licking hasn't stopped and now her paw pads looks very red and sore. Do you think it was allergy related from the food switch, and if so, how long does it take to get out of system? Or infection

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on August 1st, 2017

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to see that Sadie is having a problem. Excessive foot/paw licking and redness of the skin between the toes is almost always related to allergies. The most common allergy is called Atopy which is caused by inhaled allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, etc. The other allergies we see in dogs are related to flea bites and then food is last on the list, being the least common. I would suggest you take Sadie to your vet and let them examine her. They can then recommend a diagnostic plan or a treatment plan based on what is the most common cause. Skin and blood testing can be used for allergies if that's what your vet thinks it may be. Long term treatment is definitely needed and your vet can help you and Sadie get on a good management program to lessen the signs of the problem. I hope she gets better soon.

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