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Paw Licking

When a Pug Dog Licks, Chews, or Bites at the Paws

Overview

If your Pug keeps paying attention to their paws, no doubt you’re looking to find out why it’s happening and how to fix it. Compulsive licking, chewing or biting at the paws can quickly lead to red, raw, and/or cracked skin. Whether your Pug’s paw issues have already gotten that bad, or you’re trying to avert this, you’ll be happy to know that there is a way to resolve this. For chronic cases, it is best to work to eliminate the trigger; however, even if the cause cannot be determined, certain products can offer immediate relief from itching and irritation.

This article will cover the most common reasons why a Pug will gnaw at his paws and then dive into exactly what to do to help.

Already know the ‘why’ and want to skip right to immediate relief treatment? Jump to: How to Help a Pug Stop Chewing or Licking the Paws.

The Connection to Lick Dermatitis

In many cases, something acute (included in the list ahead) can trigger irritation or itching that would otherwise be relatively short-lived, but when a dog compulsively licks in response to that, this leads to additional issues such as lick dermatitis.

Lick dermatitis, also known as lick granuloma, is a serious issue that starts as a sore and can quickly snowball from there. Signs include raw and red areas, sores with pus, and/or hair loss due to ruptured hair follicles on the area. Additionally, skin may crack open, leaving it vulnerable to secondary bacterial infections.

Top 6 Reasons a Pug will Chew at the Paws

Though rapid relief from itchiness and irritation is possible (more ahead), it is best to also put effort into determining the reason your Pug is paying so much attention to their paws. If not, you’ll be in a constant battle to keep things under control. Let’s look at the top causes:

1. Environmental or food allergies.

Just about 20% of canines suffer from allergies, which includes those seen seasonal and year-round. And, in some cases, itchiness will be the only apparent symptom. Since dogs that are itchy often try to ‘scratch’ areas that are most accessible, they may resort to mainly licking and chewing the paws.

The sort of allergies that dogs can suffer include airborne triggers like pollen, weeds, grass, or even mold and food allergies.

2. Contact allergies or irritations.

Essentially, any substance that the paws come into contact with can cause a reaction. Top triggers include lawn care products (fertilizers, weed killer, pesticides, etc.) and ice melt products used in the winter. However, the culprit does not necessarily need to touch just the paws, since full-body itchiness can manifest as paw chewing. Therefore, blankets, pillow cases, your Pug's dog bed covering, etc. that are washed with certain laundry detergents can be the trigger, as well as carpet cleaning products, etc.

If your Pug’s shampoo contains parabens, artificial fragrance, pthalates, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, or any of the many other irritating ingredients found in subpar products, this can trigger itching and subsequent chewing or licking as well.

3. Dry skin.

Dry skin usually means itchy skin, and even one dry patch on the paw pads can cause a dog to start licking at the area. The licking itself does nothing to moisturize the area; rather, it only serves to exacerbate the problem.

There are a few common ways that dogs can develop dry skin. One is just by being a bit low on their water intake. Arid winter air is another cause, making it difficult for a dog’s body to naturally keep the skin moisturized. Dry skin on the paws can also occur via friction from walking surfaces.

4. Burns to the paws.

This is a top summer-related reason most often seen during hot summer months. Sidewalks and pavement can easily reach past 120 F (xx C) which is the pain threshold for dogs, with burns seen once surface temps reach over 130 F.

5. Yeast infection.

There are hundreds of strains of yeast, many of which reside on the skin of dogs in limited numbers. A yeast infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of one or more strains of yeast. This can be triggered by a compromised immune system, eating too much of certain foods (potatoes, corn, wheat, rice), and in the case of a yeast infection on the paws, lingering moisture between the toes and/or paw pads.

Yeast on a Pug’s paws can be exceptionally itchy. Other signs of this aside from intense itch include an odd musty smell or a ‘corn chip’ odor, localized swelling (including around the nail beds), flaking or crusty skin, and/or warmth.

6. Boredom or stress.

In some cases, a Pug will bite at, chew, or lick their paws not due to any physical cause, but as a coping mechanism in response to severe boredom or stress. Often, at the root of both of these issues is separation anxiety, something that is rather common with this breed.

How to Help a Pug Stop Chewing or Licking the Paws

Now that you have a better understanding of the many possible reasons that your Pug is gnawing away or licking at his paws, it’s time to take steps to:

1. Eliminate the root cause of the paw issues.

And 2. Treat the paws to help offer relief from itchiness and irritation.

You can, of course, skip right to at home treatment options; however, if the root cause is not resolved, you may need to treat the paws indefinitely since the underlying reason will keep causing itching and/or irritation.

As an additional note, some reasons behind paw licking or chewing require veterinary treatment, since prescribed medications will be needed.

So, let’s tackle both of these steps.

Step One: Eliminate the root cause of the paw issues.

1. If you suspect food allergies, it’ll be time to switch to a 100% all-natural kibble that contains absolutely no soy, corn, wheat, chemical preservatives, artificial coloring, or artificial flavoring. You will also want these same qualities in any snacks that you give to your Pug.

If you are looking for a high-quality kibble like this, Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free for Small Breeds is a fantastic choice. This is sized perfectly for Pugs, meets all the requirements that you're looking for in a superior food, has added extras like glucosomine and omega-3's, has zero by-products or fillers, and is made in the USA.

And, for snacks, Fruitables Baked Dog Treats are a fantastic, healthy option for breeds like the Pug that are prone to becoming overweight. This line has dry snacks should be given in between meals and the chewy ones should be reserved for reward (house training, listening to commands, etc.)

2. If you suspect airborne allergies, you may want to consult with the veterinarian, since prescribed medications may be needed. Things you can do from home include running central air using HEPA filters or using a standalone air purifier like the PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier, and vacuuming the house with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.

It can also help to avoid walking your Pug when pollen counts are high, rinsing off the paws (the kitchen sink is just fine for this) and wiping down the coat with grooming wipes like each time your Pug is brought in from being outside (even if it is a quick bathroom visit).

3. If you suspect contact allergies, use hypo-allergenic laundry detergent for any materials that your Pug may come into contact with (bedding, pillow cases, doggie clothes, throw rugs, etc.), do not use chemicals on the carpets, and keep your Pug off any grass that may be treated with lawncare products (including parks – check with your city municipal services regarding when weed-killer, fertilizer, etc. is applied and how often signs remain up afterward).

In addition, use an all-natural shampoo that has plant-based cleansers (not soap-based). Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo is a great choice for this.

4. If you think that paw irritation/burns from walking surfaces or dry skin is at the root of the licking issues, be sure to apply a quality paw wax to your Pug on a regular basis. For this, Mushers Secret Pet Paw Protection is highly recommended year-round; this absorbs quickly, offers a layer of protection while allowing the paws to ‘breathe’, and can even fix peeling, cracking, and other paw problems.

With dry skin, you will also want to encourage your Pug to drink enough during the day and work to maintain humidity levels during the winter season via humidifiers placed strategically throughout the house (if you only have one, place it near your Pug’s sleeping area).

5. If you believe the issue is a yeast infection on the paws, you may want to have this diagnosed by your Pug’s veterinarian. This said, there are OTC products that can resolve common yeast infections. One is, Pet MD Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Spray ,which is a topical spray that contains both chlorhexidine (an antimicrobial) and Ketoconazole (an antifungal). Note that with this, you should prevent your Pug from licking the paws until this dries; this can be done with a safety cone or by slipping socks over the paws.

Once the infection has cleared up, be sure to keep your Pug’s feet dry. Use an absorbent towel to dry your Pug and Q-tips to dry between the toes after baths and if your Pug gets wet by walking in the rain, splashing in a puddle, etc. You may also want to consider switching to a low-grain or grain-free food, if your Pug is not on this sort of diet already.

6. If you think that your Pug is licking or chewing the paws due to boredom or stress, there are a few things that can help. There are many ways that you can help your Pug stay busy and better cope with separation anxiety, which is a top reason why dogs become stressed. This includes:

1. Creating a ‘den’ via a playpen or safety gates which keeps your Pug’s aids close by and prevents a dog from roaming around an empty house. Be sure to add a quality bed, food (if you will be gone during mealtime), and water.

Make this a fun area that your Pug does not associate with you leaving; keep the entrance open when you are home and give toys and treats there.

2. Take your Pug for a walk before you leave, this should be for at 20 minutes and at a pace that is brisk for your Pug.

3. Keep lights on, so that if the day becomes cloudy or you come home after sunset, your Pug’s environment stays bright and cheery.

4. Keep the TV on, choosing a pet-friendly channel (some TV service providers have channels designed for pets like DOGTV).

5. Or, play music calming music.

6. Provide toys that keep a dog interested. A good one to offer is a treat release toy like the engaging Busy Buddy Barnacle Dog Toy. Fill this with a mix of your Pug’s kibble and 100% all-natural peanut butter to make it enticing and last a long time.

Other toys that can keep a Pug busy include those that speak or make noises in response to touch and companion toys that mimic living animals in order to serve as a friend.

7. Until your Pug's focus is off the paws and they have had time to heal, consider using breathable canine socks or placing a safety cone on your Pug to prevent licking.

Step Two: Use a spray or cream to offer relief.

We already discussed which spray to use if there is a yeast infection between the toes and/or paw pads (previous point #5). The following products are to help stop itch, irritation, inflammation, and heal hot spots. Because, even if you are unsure of the underlying cause, in most cases it is one or more of these problems that is causing your Pug to pay attention to the paws.

Depending on what is happening with your Pug’s paws, options include both all-natural and medicated products.

1. A non-medicated, but very effective spray to help with itching, inflammation, sores, and even hot spots is Bodhi Dog All Natural Anti-Itch Spray. This has a blend of eucalyptus, lemongrass oil, clove oil, menthol, and peppermint oil.

This should be applied 3 to 4 times per day; be sure that one of those times is at night, right before your Pug goes to sleep. Be sure to gently part the toes to spray in between them.

2. If the itching is really intense, you may want to consider a medicated spray. For this, SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula Medicated Spray will immediately stop itching via hydrocortisone. And, it also has lidocaine, which is a topical numbing solution to help with raw and painful areas on the paws.

Once the paws are thoroughly sprayed down (be sure to get between the toes as well), this works for quite a few hours; most dogs do well with 2 to 3 applications per day.

3. Another product that is quite amazing for a wide range of issues including itching, drying, cracking, peeling, sores, and hot spots is ResQ Organics Pet Skin Treatment. This is a restorative cream that soothes, calms, and heals. It works with an effective blend of organic ingredients including aloe vera, manuka honey, coconut, olive oil, hemp seed oil, shea butter, and vitamins.

When a Vet Visit is Warranted

If there are open sores with or without pus, areas of hair loss that won’t heal, compulsive licking that you believe may have led to lick granuloma, continuing paw issues that do not respond to the tips here, or if a suspected yeast infection on the paws does not clear up with over-the-counter products, it will be time to bring your Pug to the veterinarian. As much as we humans would like to treat issues at home, some do require prescribed medication.