My dog constantly licks and chews her paw pads. Is it serious?

Question

My dog, 10 lb female chihuahua mix, has recently begun constantly licking and kind of chewing her pads. They look clean and normal, and she continues to walk on the pavement. What could cause this and how can I tell if it’s serious? Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) | Female | spayed | 5 years and 3 months old | 10 lbs

Lauren Jones VMD · Accepted Answer

It's possible that Penny could be licking at her paws excessively due to allergies or irritation to the paw pads. If you've been walking on concrete, asphalt or gravel more than usual, it's possible that she's feeling irritated even though her pads look normal. With all of the pollens in circulation this time of year, allergies are also a pretty common culprit of itchy paws. Try spreading her paw pads and toes apart to see if the skin between her toes and pads is red. If it is, you can try washing and rinsing the inflamed area with an antiseptic cleanser, like Hibiclens, as this could help manage any localized bacterial overgrowth from all of the licking. If the skin isn't red, try wiping her feet with a damp washcloth every time she comes inside to remove excess pollens. If none of those things help after a week, then it's time to take Penny to her vet for an exam to try to get to the bottom of this issue. Depending on what's going on, your vet may recommend some diagnostic testing to check for infection or medication to help manage the underlying issue. I hope that everything goes well!

My dog constantly licks and chews her paw pads. Is it serious?

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