Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my dog constantly licking a bump on her paw? What should I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 11 months old | 76 lbs

My dog has a bump on her left front paw looks like a sycst but she keeps licking it

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on July 31st, 2017

Yes this looks like an infected interdigital cyst. Please put a restraint collar on Prada to stop the licking and clean the area with antibacterial soap twice a day until healed. Leave it open to the air, no bandage. If it doesn't look like it's improving an exam with your veterinarian is recommended probably with a course of antibiotics.

5Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

A cyst is more raised and fluid filled. The picture on Prada's foot looks more like an infected abrasion or lick granuloma. The key is keeping her off of it. The more she licks it the more it could become a behavioral lick granuloma. So use an E-collar. Then you can used a triple antibiotic cream on it twice daily. If not better in a week I recommend you bring her to the Vet.

Good luck!
4Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 19th, 2019
Hi. Looks like an interdigital cyst. These are little infections in the feet, and licking will make them worse. It delays healing too. He need an ecollar and an exam with your veterinarian. He most likely need antibiotics
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 24th, 2020
I suspect this may be a histiocytoma which is a benign tumor that usually will regress on it's own. However, the fact that he is licking it so much is concerning so a vet exam is warranted.

( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 )

Do not put anything on the lump for now. What you should do is put an E-collar on him (cone) to stop him from licking it until you can get him to the vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on August 15th, 2019
It could be a small mass, cyst, abscess, something stuck under the paw, or it could be caused by the licking. I would recommend having Honey evaluated by her vet to determine what this bump is so that she can get some relief. The licking could be caused by itching or pain. Until she sees the vet, clean the area with water and a mild soap, and have Honey wear an e-collar to prevent further licking.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Why does my dog's paw keep getting an inflamed bump between toes?

It could have an allergic component or be an interdigital cyst. A closer physical exam and possibly x-rays of the paw would be recommended. Ruling out a foreign body (grass seed, awn, foxtail, etc) or tumor would also be recommended. If your veterinarian will not pursue a more definitive diagnosis, consider a different vet in the practice or a different clinic entirely. Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets, food elimination trials and even antihistamine use with the vet. It looks like Cleo will need antibiotics once again anyway. Use an e-collar (cone) to prevent licking which can delay healing and may introduce infection.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a paw cut and won't stop licking it. What should I do?

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dog has a growth on her paw she keeps licking. Should I worry?

I see what you mean about the growth. I would be concerned about it because it's clearly bothering Apple Crisp, and the fact that she is an older dog. Any growth in an older dog has a chance of being malignant. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give her vet a call to make her an appointment. Until she sees the vet, put a cone on her to keep her from licking the growth. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a swollen red bump between paw pads. What should I do?

This is an interdigital infected cyst. You can soak it in warm water with epsoms salt to help get the area to drain. Generally I treat these with antibiotics and prevent licking by using a restraint collar. With treatment this should heal in a week or two. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Baxter.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's paw has a painful, swollen lump with pus. What to do?

The bump you are seeing could be a mass, or it could be a skin lesion caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, or could be a combination of the above. I recommend making an appointment to have your dog seen by your veterinarian to help determine the cause of the bump you’ve noticed and to make sure it is treated appropriately. The vet will likely want to look at a sample from the area under the microscope to determine what is causing the bump and to provide treatment. . In the meantime, if he is licking the area, I recommend putting an e-collar/cone on him to help prevent licking and reduce the risk of infection.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a red shiny bump on his paw. What is it and how do I treat?

It appears to be an interdigital cyst. Typically they get infected easily and are usually the result of allergies or a puncture or foreign body such as a grass awn or splinter. You can try to soak it in warm water but you normally have to do antibiotics to clear it or have it flushed out.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a scabbing lump on his paw from licking. What is it?

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! That's good to hear you've been keeping the area clean and that is doesn't appear to be bothering him. However, I would recommend this get checked out with Hershey's veterinarian soon. The bump may be allergy related or could be an abscess, swelling due to fracture of the digit, or could be an mass/tumor. Until you can get Hershey seen by his veterinarian, I would recommend Epsom salt water baths for the paw 2-3 times daily for 5-10 mins to help reduce swelling.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share