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A little paw licking is normal. Dogs clean their feet the way we might brush lint off our sleeves. But when a senior dog starts licking their paws often, intensely, or in a brand new pattern, it deserves a closer look. In older dogs especially, paw licking can be a clue that something hurts, something itches, or something feels “off” in a way they cannot explain.
Important: This article can help you think through common possibilities, but it cannot diagnose your dog. Always check with your dog’s veterinarian, especially if the licking is persistent, worsening, or paired with any new symptoms.
What “too much” paw licking can look like
You do not need a stopwatch to notice a problem. These are common signs that paw licking has crossed the line:
- Licking that interrupts sleep, meals, walks, or play
- Fixating on one paw or one specific spot (like between two toes)
- Red, darkened, swollen, moist, or shiny skin on the feet
- Hair loss on the paws or “saliva staining” (rust-colored fur)
- A sour or “corn chip” odor, or discharge around the toes
- Limping, flinching when you touch the paw, or reluctance to walk on certain surfaces
- New irritability when handling feet, nails, or legs
If you are seeing any of these, it is worth acting sooner rather than later. Repeated licking can turn a small irritation into inflamed skin and secondary infection.
Why senior dogs are a little different
Paw licking has many causes at any age, but senior dogs have a few extra risk factors:
- More arthritis and joint pain, including in the toes and wrists
- More dental disease, neuropathy, and chronic pain conditions that can change grooming habits
- More hormonal and metabolic illness that can affect skin health and immunity
- More cognitive changes that can show up as repetitive behaviors
That is why “it’s just a habit” is a risky assumption in an older dog. A sudden change in licking behavior in a senior dog is often a medical clue.
Common medical reasons a senior dog keeps licking their paws
Allergies and itchy skin conditions
Allergies are one of the most common drivers of itch in dogs, and paw-focused itching is classic. Dogs with allergic skin disease often lick their feet, rub their face, and scratch their ears. Environmental allergens (like pollen and dust mites), food-related allergies, and flea allergy are all on the table.
Atopic dermatitis (a chronic allergic skin disease) is especially common and tends to be lifelong once it develops. Cornell notes it is characterized by itchiness and may affect a meaningful portion of dogs.
AAHA guidelines emphasize a structured approach because allergic skin disease can look similar to infections or parasites, and more than one problem can be present at once.
What you might notice:
- Seasonal flare-ups (spring or fall) or itching after walks
- Recurrent ear infections or face rubbing
- Redness between toes, chewing at feet, or frequent licking after naps
Yeast or bacterial infections between the toes
Moisture, allergies, and repeated licking can set the stage for secondary infection. Once yeast or bacteria take hold, itching and burning often intensify, and the licking becomes self-reinforcing.
What you might notice:
- Odor, greasy or moist skin, redness
- Swelling around nail beds or between toes
- Worsening licking at night
Veterinarians often confirm infection with simple in-clinic tests like cytology (looking at a sample under the microscope) and then treat based on what they see, which aligns with guideline-based approaches to itchy skin cases.
Pain: arthritis, toe injuries, nail problems, and “ouch spots”
In seniors, pain deserves a front-row seat on the list. A dog may lick a paw because the toe joint hurts, a nail is cracked, a pad is irritated, or arthritis is flaring in the wrist or elbow and the paw becomes the “target” of attention.
What you might notice:
- Licking one paw more than the others
- Stiffness getting up, slower stairs, shorter walks
- Nail changes, a torn nail, or sensitivity when you spread the toes
- A small bump or growth between toes or around a nail bed
If your dog is licking one paw consistently, assume pain or a localized problem until your vet proves otherwise.
Parasites and “invisible” itch triggers
Fleas can cause intense itch even when you do not see them, and flea allergy can make it worse. AAHA’s allergic skin disease guidance explicitly includes flea allergy among the major allergic causes to rule in or out.
Mites can also cause itch, depending on the type and the dog’s exposure risk, and your vet may recommend skin scrapings or other diagnostics when appropriate.
Foreign material, contact irritation, and seasonal paw trouble
A tiny thorn, foxtail, piece of salt, or a rough patch of dry skin between toes can start the cycle. So can contact irritation from cleaners, lawn treatments, or rough walking surfaces.
What you might notice:
- Sudden onset after a walk, grooming, or moving to a new home
- Licking that spikes after being outside
- Small puncture marks, localized swelling, or a draining tract (needs urgent veterinary care)
Anxiety, stress, and compulsive licking
Dogs do sometimes lick as a self-soothing behavior. The key is not to assume it is “just anxiety” until medical causes are checked, especially in seniors.
A veterinary exam is still important because itching, pain, and infection can look like compulsive behavior from the outside. General veterinary references describe excessive licking as something that can be medical, behavioral, or both, and treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Cognitive dysfunction in senior dogs
Some older dogs develop cognitive dysfunction, which can include changes like disorientation, altered sleep patterns, increased anxiety, and repetitive behaviors. VCA emphasizes that cognitive changes can occur alongside other medical disorders and that other causes should be ruled out before labeling it cognitive dysfunction.
Recent veterinary literature also notes that canine cognitive dysfunction has similarities to human neurodegenerative disease and presents with progressive behavioral change.
Research limitation to keep in mind: while cognitive dysfunction is well-described, there are not universally accepted diagnostic and management guidelines, and veterinary practices vary. A 2025 study in Frontiers discusses this gap and describes current approaches used by veterinarians.
If the paw licking is paired with nighttime restlessness, getting “stuck” in corners, staring into space, or new house-soiling, mention those details to your vet.
What you can do at home right now
These steps are about safe observation and comfort, not replacing medical care.
1) Do a calm paw check (and do not force it)
In good light, look at:
- Between toes and around nail beds
- Paw pads for cracks, cuts, or embedded debris
- Nails for splits or overgrowth
- Any swelling, redness, odor, moisture, or discharge
If your dog resists, yelps, or tries to bite, stop and call your veterinarian. Painful feet need professional handling.
2) Gently clean and dry the paws
If the paws look generally dirty or mildly irritated:
- Rinse with lukewarm water
- Pat fully dry, especially between toes
Avoid harsh soaps, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol. These can irritate already-inflamed skin and make licking worse.
3) Prevent the licking from escalating the damage
If your dog is actively working a spot raw, consider a cone or soft recovery collar until you can be seen. This feels mean, but it is often kinder than letting them create an open wound.
4) Track patterns for your vet
A short notes list can be surprisingly helpful:
- When licking is worst (after walks, evenings, after meals)
- Which paws are involved
- Any new foods, treats, cleaners, or environments
- Flea prevention brand and last dose date
- Photos of the paws on “good” and “bad” days
When to call your veterinarian urgently
Seek prompt veterinary help if you see:
- Bleeding, an open sore, pus, or a foul odor
- Sudden limping or unwillingness to bear weight
- Rapid swelling of a toe, paw, or nail bed
- A suspected foreign object (especially foxtails)
- Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or significant behavior change
- Licking that is relentless despite preventing access to the paws
Even if it is not an emergency, persistent paw licking that lasts more than a few days, keeps recurring, or is new in a senior dog should be evaluated.
What your veterinarian may do and why
Your vet’s goal is to separate itch from pain from infection, and sometimes it is more than one.
Common steps include:
- Full physical exam and orthopedic check for arthritis pain
- Skin cytology to look for yeast or bacteria
- Skin scrapings or other parasite testing when indicated
- Ear exam, because allergic dogs often have ear involvement
- Discussion of flea control and exposure risk
- Allergy workup or an elimination diet trial if food allergy is suspected, following structured guideline approaches
- If cognitive dysfunction is a concern, ruling out medical contributors first and then discussing behavior history using recognized sign groupings (like DISHAA)
If your dog is older, your vet may also suggest baseline bloodwork to look for systemic issues that can affect skin and healing.
How to reduce future flare-ups (once you know the cause)
The right prevention depends on the diagnosis, but these are common pillars:
- Consistent, vet-recommended parasite prevention
- Managing allergic skin disease with a long-term plan rather than only reacting to flares
- Keeping paws clean and dry after wet walks
- Regular nail trims to reduce toe strain and cracking
- Pain management plans for arthritis when diagnosed (only under veterinary guidance)
- For cognitive or anxiety components, a behavior plan that starts with medical rule-outs
Most importantly: do not guess at medications. Human creams, leftover antibiotics, and random supplements can complicate diagnosis or cause side effects.
A final note for senior-dog households
When a senior dog repeatedly licks their paws, it is easy to focus only on the feet. Sometimes the paws are the problem. Sometimes they are the billboard advertising pain, allergy, infection, or age-related change elsewhere.
You are not overreacting by getting it checked. And even if the cause turns out to be “simple,” early treatment can prevent weeks of discomfort and a much bigger skin issue.
Always check with your dog’s veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your dog’s age, medical history, and medications.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual, “Allergies in Dogs.” (Merck Veterinary Manual)
- 2023 AAHA Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats Guidelines (journal version). (jaaha.kglmeridian.com)
- 2023 AAHA Management of Allergic Skin Diseases Guidelines (PDF). (AAHA)
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, “Atopic dermatitis (atopy).” (Cornell Vet College)
- VCA Hospitals, “Behavior Counseling: Senior Pet Cognitive Dysfunction.” (Vca)
- American Journal of Veterinary Research, “Recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for canine cognitive dysfunction.” (AVMA Journals)
- Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2025), “Current practices for diagnosis and management of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.” (Frontiers)
- AVMA News, “AAHA publishes allergic skin disease guidelines for dogs, cats.” (American Veterinary Medical Association)
- PetMD, “Excessive Licking, Chewing, and Grooming in Dogs.” (PetMD)