As pet owners, we often see our golden retriever licking their paws, which can be confusing. Questions like ‘Why do they do it?’ or ‘Is it just grooming, or could it mean something is wrong?’ may arise in your mind.
It is natural for golden retrievers to lick their paws, entirely to clean themselves. But they also indulge in this behavior due to pain, anxiety, boredom, injuries, infections, and allergies.
This article delves into the various reasons behind paw licking in golden retrievers, when you should be concerned about paw licking, and steps you can take to prevent your golden retriever from licking their paws.
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Reasons Golden Retrievers Lick Their Paws
There are many common reasons for paw licking in golden retrievers. Below are the possible causes of the licking behavior of your golden retriever.
1. Grooming
Dogs regularly lick their paws, legs, and tail to remove debris.
Your golden retriever is likelier to sit and lick his paws after a walk or roaming around in the yard.
This is a normal and natural behavior of your golden retriever, entirely to clean themselves.
2. Pain
Dogs may lick their paws in reaction to pain or discomfort, even if the source of the pain is not in the paw itself.
Suppose you observe your golden retriever focusing excessive licking on one paw.
In that case, it may suggest they are dealing with an injury such as a sting, cut, bite, ingrown nail, puncture, burn, or another abnormal physical condition.
Arthritis is another frequent cause of licking related to pain, especially in older dogs.
While this condition typically affects multiple joints, dogs often lick one of their paws to alleviate discomfort.
3. Food and Environmental Allergies
Both food and environmental allergies are common causes of itching or irritation of the paw pads, causing your golden retriever to lick their paws for relief.
Dog foods and treats with certain ingredients such as corn, dairy, wheat, soy, beef, or chicken can trigger an allergic reaction, causing itchiness and discomfort in their paws.
RECOMMENDED READING: Should Golden Retrievers Eat Grain-Free? (& FDA Investigation)
ALSO READ: Can Golden Retrievers Drink Milk? (Everything You Must Know)
Artificial additives can also be a factor in dog allergy.
Dogs can develop allergic reactions to substances such as pollen, mold, grass, dust mites, household cleaning products, chemicals in the yard, and many more.
If you notice your dog frequently licking their paws, especially during certain seasons or after exposure to specific allergens, allergies may be the underlying reason.
4. Anxiety
Like humans, dogs can experience stress and anxiety like when their favorite humans are not around or there are major changes to their daily routine.
As a result, they may find comfort in licking their paws as a self-soothing mechanism to relieve their anxiety.
RELATED: Anxiety in Golden Retrievers: Symptoms, Causes, & Solutions
5. Injuries
A paw injury or foreign object may explain sudden paw licking especially if you notice your golden retriever focusing on one paw more than others or limping.
Your dog may have irritated their paw by stepping on something that causes discomfort such as sharp objects like glass or sharp rocks, hot pavement, ice melt, or a thorn.
They could have been stung by a bee or bitten by an insect.
Additionally, foreign objects like splinters or grass awns can become embedded in their paws, causing irritation and increased licking.
Your golden might have an injury like a cut, torn nail, cyst or tumor, blister, broken claw, burn from hot asphalt, or a stone, thorn, or ice ball stuck between their pads.
Some of these problems can be relieved by a simple first-aid treatment, while others might require treatment by a veterinarian.
6. Boredom
Golden retrievers are very active and energetic dogs who easily get frustrated if they have no activities to engage in.
Therefore, they indulge in destructive activities such as excessively licking their paws.
For some dogs, paw-licking is a behavioral issue because when they are bored and unsure of what else to do, their paws become an easy target.
Though this behavior may have initially started due to boredom, gradually it may develop into a habit.
7. Parasites
As dogs love to explore around, parasitic critters naturally target their paws first.
Fleas, lice, ticks, mites, and other parasites can irritate and itch like crazy anywhere on your golden retriever’s body, including their feet.
Your canine will do their best to alleviate this uncomfortable feeling by giving themselves a good lick.
While parasites may initially focus on one paw, frequent licking or scratching of multiple body parts is a common indicator that your dog is affected by these pests.
8. Secondary Infections
Golden retrievers may lick their paws excessively if they have developed secondary infections.
These infections can occur when the skin on their paws becomes irritated or damaged, often due to underlying allergies, foreign objects, or other skin conditions.
The licking behavior can worsen the irritation and moisture on the paw, providing a favorable environment for bacteria or yeast/fungi to grow.
Therefore, licking is both a symptom of discomfort and a contributing factor to the growth of development of secondary infections in their paws.
9. Skin Irritation
Your golden retriever may lick their paws due to skin irritation.
This irritation can be caused by various factors such as allergies, environmental irritants, insect bites, or underlying skin conditions like dermatitis.
When their paws are irritated, dogs tend to lick them excessively to soothe discomfort or alleviate itchiness.
10. Environmental Factors
Environmental factors like dry or cold weather can lead to dry, itchy skin on your dog’s paws.
Licking is a natural response to try to soothe the irritation.
11. Bedtime Ritual
Some golden retrievers develop a habit of licking their paws as part of a bedtime ritual.
Like paw licking for stress relief, this behavior can be soothing for many dogs and may help them relax before sleeping.
It could also be a self-comforting behavior, similar to how humans might have comforting habits before bedtime, such as thumb-sucking or hair-twirling.
When Should You Be Concerned About Paw Licking
Though paw licking can be irritating, it isn’t a life-threatening condition.
It’s a natural behavior for dogs, including golden retrievers, but it can become a cause of concern if your dog experiences the following.
- Bleeding paws
- Limping
- Pus or other discharge, indicating infection
- Swollen paws
- Hot spots
- Excessive and constant paw licking
- Whimpering, wincing, or crying out when touched
Above mentioned are some signs of harmful paw licking that require immediate attention and a vet visit.
How to Prevent Paw-licking in Golden Retrievers?
Preventing paw-licking in golden retrievers involves addressing potential underlying causes and implementing proactive measures to discourage the behavior.
Here are some steps to stop your golden retriever from licking their paws.
1. Cover Your Golden Retriever’s Paws
Covering your golden retriever’s paws is one of the easiest ways to stop them from licking their paws.
For this, you can use booties, paw balms/wax, or baby socks if they are irritated by booties.
Besides protecting from licking their paws, they will protect your dog from allergens or irritants in the environment and harsh weather conditions like extreme hot or cold weather.
2. Maintain Good Paw Hygiene
Regularly clean your golden retriever’s paws with a gentle, pet-safe cleanser and dry them thoroughly after walks or outdoor activities to remove dirt, debris, or potential allergens.
Make sure to trim your dog’s nails regularly to avoid them becoming too long or uneven.
Remember to inspect your golden retriever’s paws routinely to check for any signs of cuts, irritation, or foreign objects.
Regularly trimming the fur around your dog’s paws helps prevent the buildup of dirt and moisture.
3. Use a Moisturizer
If dryness is the reason which causes your golden retriever to lick their paws, then simply applying a moisturizer will do the trick.
You can use a food-grade, all-natural paw balm to keep your dog’s paw pads hydrated and prevent dryness.
Make sure your golden’s paws are clean and dry before applying any product.
4. Identify and Manage Food Allergies
If allergies are suspected, consult with your vet to conduct allergy testing to identify specific triggers causing irritation or itchiness leading to paw-licking.
In some cases, an elimination diet may be recommended to pinpoint food allergies or sensitivities.
Once allergens are identified, avoid foods and ingredients that cause an allergic reaction or sensitivity in your golden retriever.
Try switching to a hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diet if a food allergy is suspected.
RECOMMENDED READING: 8 Best Dog Foods for Golden Retrievers with Skin Allergies
5. Use a Lick Deterrent to Discourage Licking
Try coating your golden retriever’s paws in something bitter or citrusy as pets generally find citrus juices unappealing and their scent offensive.
You can use a lick deterrent like a non-toxic, pet-safe bitter apple spray on your dog’s paws to discourage licking.
Also using an Elizabethan collar (also known as an E-collar or the “cone of shame”) prevents your dog from licking their paws.
6. Environmental Modifications
Create a safe and clean living environment for your golden retriever.
You can do this by identifying and eliminating potential allergens, which may trigger allergies or paw irritation, in your dog’s environment, such as being free of harsh chemicals, removing pesticides, changing cleaning products, or washing their bedding with hypoallergenic detergents.
7. Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation
Ensure your golden retriever receives ample physical activity, and mental enrichment each day.
Engage your dog in regular walks, play sessions, puzzle toys, and activities that stimulate their mind and keep them engaged.
This can reduce anxiety or boredom-related behaviors, including excessive paw-licking.
8. Monitor and Manage Stress
Your golden retriever may lick their paws as a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety.
Identify potential stress triggers in your dog’s environment and take steps to minimize them.
This might include establishing routines, providing comforting toys or blankets, and using calming pheromone diffusers, or calming supplements to help ease stress and anxiety.
9. Medications and Topical Treatments
If infections, allergies, or underlying medical conditions are diagnosed, your vet may prescribe medications such as antibiotics, antifungals, or anti-inflammatory drugs.
You may also be advised topical treatments like medicated creams, ointments, or shampoos to relieve symptoms and aid in the healing process.
10. Regular Veterinary Check-ups
As always, see your vet for routine wellness check-ups. This can help identify and address any medical issues promptly, such as allergies or skin conditions, which may lead to paw-licking.
Conclusion
Though paw licking is normal in golden retrievers as they like to groom themselves, it needs to be addressed when they do it because of pain, injuries, anxiety, infections, boredom, and allergies.
You should look out for signs when this seemingly harmless action becomes a problematic habit. In such a case, consult a vet for further assistance.
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