Yes. Dogs will occasionally lick their paws after a walk, after eating, or as part of normal grooming. It becomes a concern when it turns repetitive and persistent, or when the skin starts to change. 

A quick way to tell if it’s worth acting on: if you’re noticing it daily, it’s difficult to interrupt, or you’re seeing redness between the toes, dampness, a yeasty smell, hair loss, scabs, or sensitivity, it’s time to treat it as a symptom, not a behaviour problem.

A simple way to tell what’s driving it

You don’t need to diagnose your dog at home, but you can gather useful clues.
Allergy driven paw licking often comes with other itch signs: ear scratching or head shaking, red skin elsewhere, hot spots, seasonal patterns, spring or summer flare ups are common, and worsening after being outside on grass or after bathing.

Stress or anxiety driven paw licking looks more like a self soothing loop. It may spike when you leave the house, after changes at home, during loud noises, or when your dog is overstimulated. 

Pain or injury driven paw licking is often more local and more one sided. If one paw is the clear target, your dog is limping, hesitating on stairs, pulling away when touched, or reacting defensively when you check the area, treat pain as the priority.

When it’s time to see a vet

If there’s swelling, discharge, bleeding, a strong foul smell, limping, or rapid worsening over a few days, you’ll get better outcomes by seeing a vet early. Foreign objects, especially grass seeds, and infections can escalate quickly, and repeated flare ups may need targeted treatment rather than repeated home soothing.

How treatment usually works without overcomplicating it

For allergies, veterinary care often focuses on itch control and inflammation reduction, alongside identifying and managing triggers, including consistent flea prevention. For secondary infections, treatment may include topical therapies or prescription medication. For pain, the priority is addressing the injury or underlying discomfort so the dog no longer feels the need to lick.

For anxiety related licking, management typically combines routine, enrichment, and when needed behavioural support. The goal isn’t to tell the dog off, but to reduce stress load and replace repetitive licking with healthier calming outlets.

Long term support options that make a difference

If your dog’s paw licking is connected to recurring itch, skin sensitivity, or allergy prone flare ups, long term inside out support can help reduce reactivity and improve skin resilience. The most commonly used nutrition targets include:

• Omega 3 EPA and DHA to support a calmer inflammatory response and a stronger skin barrier.
• Prebiotics to support gut and immune balance, helpful for some dogs with ongoing sensitivity.

This is not an overnight fix. With nutritional support, it’s more realistic to assess progress over 4 to 8 weeks of consistency, especially for dogs with seasonal patterns.