Why does my puppy excessively lick paws? Allergies, behavior, or chicken?

Most common type of allergies are food allergies, flea related ones and environmental ones (against polens, trees etc etc). Usually in these cases skin parasites need to be ruled out first, and if bacterial/ fungal infections as well (some skin testing will be needed). Once these differentials are ruled out, allergies can be suspected and tested as well. I would recommend to discuss it all with your local veterinarian.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Excessive licking can be related to skin infection between the toes, skin inflammation or an allergy. A visit at your local vets is recommended to make the definite diagnosis and to start treatment for Koda. In the meantime, try and stop Koda from licking the paws as he will likely make the skin more inflamed. Using a head collar or bandage the paws (and change the bandage daily) may be necessary.

Dogs may chew on their feet for a number of reasons. The most common of these is underlying allergies to either environmental or food allergens. Nearly anything can cause an allergic response, and these reactions in dogs typically lead to itching, which often manifests as chewing on or licking the feet. Other causes of foot chewing include foreign material in the paw pads or nail beds, infection in the skin or pads of the feet, problems with the toenails, pain, or obsessive behavioral issues. A trip to the veterinarian is best in order to examine your dog’s feet, perform any necessary diagnostic tests, and determine the best course of treatment. Allergy management strategies, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or anxiety medication may be needed to help get your dog’s foot chewing under control. Finally, I suggest you check out [this article](https://www.petcoach.co/article/most-common-reasons-why-dogs-chew-their-paws/) for additional information about this common behavior.

Switching his food will only help if this is a case of food allergy, but this is only one possibility among many other causes of allergies. changing his food without knowing if he has food allergy and to what ingredient exactly is a very long shot, but you can try an hypoallergenic diet if you want and see if it helps.

Kobe may be allergic to more than just grain. Allergies are very frustrating to diagnose since they have multiple causes. Place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent further licking. Have him examined by your veterinarian to diagnose skin infection (bacterial or yeast). Discuss food elimination trials, allergy testing and hydrolyzed diets as well. A course of antihistamines may be of benefit to prevent itching. Your vet may prescribe one or can recommend an OTC antihistamine for Kobe.

It's hard to say if Spot started licking the paw because of allergies or a wound. Excessive licking of the paws can cause secondary trauma to the skin and pads. Pads can take 6-8 weeks to completely heal, so preventing licking and protecting the pad is the best treatment. If the skin between the toes is also affected, I would recommend having Spot examined by a a vet to determine if there is an active infection. Allergies can cause paw licking, but it is generally on 2 or 4 feet, so I think it is less likely in this case.

The behaviors you are describing in Sydney could be due to anxiety or to allergies. A very common signs of skin allergies in dogs is excessive licking of the paws. Licking the couch and other things could just be a compulsion that he has developed from licking his feet so much. I would recommend having him checked out by your vet to see if allergies are the underlying problem. If they are your vet may recommend switching my food or starting an anti-allergy medication.