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Why is my dog licking his red paw? What's wrong and how to treat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boston Terrier | Male | neutered | 2 years and 4 months old | 25 lbs

My boy has been licking his paw like crazy for a week now. It is red and looks blistered in between his toes. What the heck is it and how should I treat?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 29th, 2018

Poor Austin! He could have an infection there, he may have been injured, there could be a foreign body, or he could have allergies. Ultimately he will need to see a vet for it, as he sounds pretty uncomfortable, so I'd take him into the vet in the morning. Tonight, you can try an Epsom salt bath for his paw to see if that helps temporarily. I'd also put an Ecollar on him to keep him from licking it more. You can make one at home, and I will put a link below on how to do it. Best of luck.

http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

9Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on October 12th, 2019
This could be due to an allergic reaction, even though infections are possible as well.
It would be certainly ideal to have him checked as the allergy could spread and to treat appropriately as well in order to stop the itch completely. A buster collar will be useful as well to avoid any further licking.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on August 20th, 2019
You should have Chico evaluated by a vet. Allergies commonly cause itchy feet, and some dogs will lick the itch so much they get a secondary infection that causes more itching and pain and the cycle progresses to the point you are at now. He likely needs anti-inflammatory and pain medications, as well as appropriate medications to treat the infection present and address the underlying allergy.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on April 12th, 2020
This may be a symptom of allergies. The excess licking may cause a secondary bacterial or fungal (yeast) infection. Use an e-collar (cone) to prevent licking. Foot soaks in a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution may resolve minor infection. Dry the paws thoroughly afterwards.
You may need to have Sheru physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose allergies. This can be frustrating though because allergies have multiple causes. Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets, food elimination trials and antihistamine use with the veterinarian.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on May 17th, 2020
Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further licking. You can try soaking the paw in a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution once orntwice daily. Dry thoroughly afterwards. If there is no sign of improvement in a couple days, have her seen by your veterinarian. Prescription strength medication may be indicated.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Training & Behavior

What to do if my dog's paw is red and raw from constant licking?

That may be an infection. It's clearly bothering your dog because she is licking it. I would take her into a vet in the morning to have this diagnosed and treated. Tonight, put an Ecollar on her to keep her from licking it. You can make one at home. http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's paw is red, swollen, and he keeps licking it. Is it serious?

Ouch, poor Issac! It looks like that could potentially be a growth of some sorts, but without seeing him in person I can't say for certain. He should see a vet for it. The vet can diagnose what is causing it and how best to treat it. In the meantime, to keep him from licking at it, I would put an Ecollar on him. You can buy one at a pet store or you can make one at home. I will put a link below on how to make one at home. As for the vet, I would see if you can get him into one Monday or Tuesday. Good luck, I hope this helps! http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog keeps licking his paw, no pain or limp. Should I see a vet?

Poor Kiba! This licking can be due to an injury, infection, or allergies. The only way to know for sure is how have him seen by a vet, and I do recommend taking him in tomorrow if possible. I would put an Ecollar on him tonight to keep him from licking it, and I will put a link below on how to make one at home. You can also try to soaking his foot in an Epsom salt bath to give him some temporary relief. http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog keeps licking his red paw. What can I do before the vet?

Poor Luca! I actually recommend to use an Elizabethan collar instead of a sock. The sock will hold in moisture and it will make the area more humid which will encourage more bacterial or yeast growth then allowing it to air out. Keeping these lesions open to the air is much better. Have Luca wear the collar anytime he is not being directly supervised. Wash the paw daily with an antibacterial soap and rinse. You can continue the Epson salt soak every other day (rinse well afterwards). After it is dry, you can apply the spray. Make sure to keep his feet clean and dry. Until he is checked out by the vet on Monday, keep the trauma to the paw minimal so no running, jumping and keep his walks minimum and avoid abrasive surfaces such as overly dry grass and rocks. I hope he starts feeling better quickly and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dog's paw is red and he's licking it. What home remedies help?

If BoDeen is only licking one paw then he may have something between his toes that is causing a problem. I will usually recommend soaking the foot in Epsom Salts (following the instructions on the box for making it up) for 5 minutes then just drying it well. That can be repeated twice daily. You should also try to figure out a way to prevent him from licking at the foot and to protect it. I like a light boot like TheraPaw Boot ( https://www.therapaw.com/therapawboot ), but you may also be able to find something at a local pet store that would work. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog keeps licking his paw. How to relieve his pain at home?

Dexter could have an infection or allergy causing him to lick. He might need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, or a corticosteroid to help. While you are trying to find a new vet, you could soak his paw in a warm Epsom salt solution and see if that helps. Hope he gets some relief soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is limping and licking a red sore on his paw. 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. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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