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What to do if my dog's paw is red and raw from constant licking?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Dog is licking her back paw and noticed it's all red and raw

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 13th, 2019

That may be an infection. It's clearly bothering your dog because she is licking it. I would take her into a vet in the morning to have this diagnosed and treated. Tonight, put an Ecollar on her to keep her from licking it. You can make one at home. http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

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    Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 16th, 2017

    I am sorry to hear about Cujo. His foot does look quite itchy/inflammed! Sometimes we can treat these guys with topical medication but I will tell you that a visit to the vet is going to be the fastest way to treat his problem. Your vet can do a skin cytology to see if we have bacteria or yeast growing on the skin. Depending on what organism is seen and the number of the organism, they may prescribe oral medication to treat infection or topical medication. They also can give a steroid or other anti-itch medication (such as apoquel), which will help stop the itching quickly. If you want to try treating at home you will need an e-collar to stop him from licking the area. You can try treating with a medicated shampoo such as this one: https://www.chewy.com/malaseb-medicated-shampoo-dogs-cats/dp/119234 or medicated wipes such as these: https://www.chewy.com/mal-ket-wipes-dogs-cats-50-count-jar/dp/111417?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Mal-A-Ket&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjw2s_MBRA5EiwAmWIac1PCrWm1tBQLDldwdyg7pwrsBIZxyJQHrtAleb7K3_cV6HE3wOj8_hoCDfcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds. If you aren't seeing improvement with daily use after a few days then a vet visit would be recommended.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 12th, 2017

    Yes, you should take her to the vet as it looks infected, there might be a grass seed in the flesh as well, your vet will need to check that. she will need a course of antibiotics, possibly a steroid injection as well. she will also need to wear an e-collar in order to prevent her from licking the paw.

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Related Questions

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My boy has been licking his paw like crazy for a week now. It is red and looks blistered in between his toes. What the heck is it and how should I treat?
Poor Austin! He could have an infection there, he may have been injured, there could be a foreign body, or he could have allergies. Ultimately he will need to see a vet for it, as he sounds pretty uncomfortable, so I'd take him into the vet in the morning. Tonight, you can try an Epsom salt bath for his paw to see if that helps temporarily. I'd also put an Ecollar on him to keep him from licking it more. You can make one at home, and I will put a link below on how to do it. Best of luck. http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html
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Our dog has a red bump or scrape on the top of her paw. She seems to be acting ok, just licking it a lot. We tried to clean it with peroxide and wrap it but she is trying to take the bandage off
It is hard to comment too much without a picture of the red bump/scrape. If she is licking it then I would recommend an ecollar over a bandage because the bandage can harbor moisture which can lead to infections. I would recommend getting an ecollar and calling your veterinarian in the morning to see if they can fit you in. This is not an emergency but I would have them check it so she doesn't make it worse by licking it. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
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Hi my mothers minature Pinscher has something going on with her paw. She keeps licking it and wont really let anyone touch it. Its red and has like yellow in between her pads. She holds her paw up nost of the time. Thank you in advance!
This looks like an infection, possibly caused by excessive licking. This will need to be seen by a veterinarian who will have to determine whether there is a foreign body inbetween the pads (which could have started the licking behavior) and whether this infection is caused by bacteria or a fungus. Treatment would consist of clipping and disinfecting and removing any found foreign bodies as well as topical and/or oral medications. Your dog will need to wear an e-collar to prevent her from licking.
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My dogs carpal pad or dew claw iss really red/raw from him licking it. But it’s also different size (bigger) . What can I do for him to stop him irritating it, or what do I look for that may be causing it?
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My dog won’t stop licking and biting her paw. At first I thought it was a Shampoo issue, but only one paw is bothering her. She constantly licks it non-stop, and it has turned red. Is there any over the counter antibiotic I can apply to it, or anythi
Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further licking. You can try soaking the paw in a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution once orntwice daily. Dry thoroughly afterwards. If there is no sign of improvement in a couple days, have her seen by your veterinarian. Prescription strength medication may be indicated.
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Hi I have a question my puppy about 9 months started off licking ant licking his paw. He went on so much that he no longer had hair on an area on top of his paw. It looks like an open wound. We had been trying natural remedies but saw no improvements
Hi there. Poor coco. Great job that you have an appointment tomorrow am. For now, I would run to petco or Wal-Mart and grab an e-collar to keep him from licking. That is the most important part. You can lightly soak the area with a warm wash cloth for comfort, and then a cooler one. There aren't any medications unfortunately that we can recommend without seeing him. My guess based on these photos is that in addition to infection, he most likely has some underlying allergies causing him to lick his feet, so definitely discuss allergies with your veterinarian tomorrow. Good luck
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My 9 yr old female german Shepard chow mix as this on her paw. She is always messing/cleaning it, she has had it for a couple days and we can slightly touch it but then she takes it away. Is is serious does she need to go to the vet or is it somethin
Thank you for providing pictures of Coda's paw! From the pictures, it looks like it could be infected, and certainly something that is bothering her if she keeps messing with it and licking it. To answer your question, yes, I would take her into the vet. It needs treatment so it can heal. Until you can get her into the vet, I would put an Ecollar on her to keep her from licking at it. You can make one at home or buy one at a pet store. Good luck, I hope this helps! http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Last night I noticed my dog’s left back paw had a strange lump on the side. The skin looked hard like a callus, but when I touched it he didn’t complain. This morning I checked again and it was a bit stained so I took that first photo. Then I left hi
There is nothing you can do other than keep your dog from licking the lesion so it does not get worse. This looks like a nasty hot spot, but only a hands-on exam can determine what this is and how it is to be treated. Please schedule a recheck with your veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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I found a weird cut on my dog’s back foot. What should I do? He’s acting normal, he’s not limping, I have no idea when he got it. I never heard him cry. He just keeps licking it.
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Roxie has been licking her back paw on her left side for the last couple weeks. And it's the only one the last couple days I've noticed it is red on the inside of part of the paw and hair is thinning on that par as well. She seems like is also a bit
Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further licking. You can soak the paw in an Epsom salt foot bath for 10-15 minutes daily. Make sure the paw is completely dry afterwards. A soak in diluted chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) may also provide some relief.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

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