Why Are my Dog's Feet Itchy? Vet-Reviewed Health Concerns Explained
Gnaw, gnaw, gnaw—will the noises ever stop? You are looking over at your dog nipping the daylights out of their paw pads, and it honestly looks kind of painful! They've been itching so much lately that it's got you thinking—could something be wrong?
While the occasional itch is normal and to be expected, excessive itching in a dog’s feet could indicate a problem for sure. Luckily, most of the issues are easy to control. Let’s get a closer look at what could be going on with your pup.
What Can Cause Itchy Feet?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the quandary of what causes itchy feet in dogs. In fact, we have seven different potential causes in this article alone.
1. Food Allergies
Food allergies are a pretty common problem in dogs, so it would be no wonder if this might be the underlying issue. Your dog could be sensitive to many ingredients in their daily food dishes—who would know which without further examination?
Food allergies can be tricky to diagnose and hard to treat. Dogs can be sensitive to several additives in dog food, most commonly protein such as chicken and beef, but also ingredients such as soy, wheat, and dairy.
Common Signs
- Treatment
The only real long-term solution to food allergies is to provide your dog with a diet free of irritating ingredients.
2. Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies include anything in your dog's environment that might be irritating their skin or nasal passages. Triggers can be anything from pollen, grasses, molds, and chemicals they come in contact with frequently.
Since allergy symptoms come on suddenly when your pet is exposed, it might be easier for you to pinpoint the change to identify the trigger than it is with food allergies.
Signs
- Treatment
3. Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are relatively common in dogs and affect the skin. These infections can happen as a result of different environmental allergies or imbalances in the body. You can often easily distinguish a yeast infection once you are familiar with it, so it is important to make sure they are not recurring if that's the issue.
Signs
- Treatment
4. Fleas
Fleas are a very common parasite in dogs, which is the reason we have to treat our dogs so vigorously. Once your dog gets fleas, they can be extremely hard to eradicate and they can live in your fabrics and furniture for quite some time.
If you don't keep up with routine flea treatments like you should, it is very possible that your pup has contracted this pesky parasite.
Signs
- Treatment
5. Parasites
Parasites are super common for our pups, which is why we have to give so many treatments against them every year. If your part has certain parasites, it can cause itchiness on certain areas of the body along with a few other symptoms.
Signs
- Treatment
6. Dry Paw Pads
Dry and cracked paw pads are usually the result of environmental factors that affect our pups. Sometimes, it could be caused by an underlying health condition, though it's much less frequent of a culprit. Usually, it happens from winter temperatures, hot pavement, or chemical exposure.
Signs
- Treatment
7. Irritation from Poor Hygiene
If your pup’s paw pads are pretty dirty, this can cause itching and irritation as well. Things like dirt, poor hygiene, or excessive moisture accumulation between the toes can all lead to itchy, red, and inflamed paws.
If your dog has long hair around their paws, it can be especially troubling as it can increase the moisture and debris trapped between toes.
Signs
- Treatment
If you are looking for the perfect product to clean your dog's sensitive areas, Hepper's Wash Wipes are our recommendation, plus it's a great on-the-go option. These premium wipes are thick and durable enough for the toughest of paw messes, while still being soft enough to use on your dog's ears or eyes. Formulated with pet-friendly, hypoallergenic ingredients they are the ideal product for all dogs of all ages, skin conditions, or sensitivities.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
Take Your Dog to the Vet
While most causes of paw itching are irritating at best, it's still best to have your dog evaluated by your veterinarian. Your vet can get to the bottom of the issue and recommend some relief options according to what they find.
How to Provide Relief to Suffering Dogs
Now that you know potential reasons for your dog’s feet being itchy, it's time to get to the solutions! Here are a few ways you can prevent paw irritation and itchiness and keep your pup's tootsies itch-free.
Good Hygiene
Good hygiene is always the best practice! During bath time, don't forget to get in between each one of your dog's toes on their paw pads to ensure that you are getting rid of any debris or build-up inside. Just remember to rinse well! Leftover soap or shampoo can also be an irritant.
Giving your pet a bath can be a difficult task, but the first step is to choose a great shampoo. We love Hepper's Shampoo Products, both of which are natural, pet-safe options specially formulated to clean your pet's skin and coat without causing irritation. Both formulas are also free of things like dyes, soaps, sulfates, and phthalates. Your pet will enjoy the soothing aloe vera and oatmeal, and you'll love the clean, fresh scents!
Comparison Table (block #764234)
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!
Treat the Underlying Condition
As we mentioned, working with your veterinarian directly can provide the fastest way to relieve the itchiness. They can work closely alongside you to ensure that your dog is taken care of and symptom-free.
Control with Medications
If your dog has allergies or another treatable condition, your doctor might prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms or control overall illness. It is important to stay on task and give your dog their meds on a timed basis for optimal results.
Buy Paw Balms or Protectants
There are certain things on the market you can buy that add an extra layer of protection between your pup’s paws and the environment. You can start by looking at paw balms online.
Use Hypoallergenic Products
Hypoallergenic products are always advisable to avoid any irritation whatsoever. You never know how dogs will react to certain chemicals in products with fragrances and other harsh additives. We recommend steering clear from the beginning and using only products that are safe for dogs and hypoallergenic.
Conclusion
Now you know a little more about what could be driving your pup wild. Itchy feet are no fun for anyone—furry or fleshy alike. So, getting to the underlying problem is always the quickest route to the best solution.
Make an appointment with your vet to get a professional opinion today! You will be one step closer to canine relief.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: KPhrom, Shutterstock
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Ashley Bates is a freelance dog writer and pet enthusiast who is currently studying the art of animal therapy. A mother to four human children— and 23 furry and feathery kids, too – Ashley volunteers at local shelters, advocates for animal well-being, and rescues every creature in need. Her mission is to create awareness, education, and entertainment about pets to prevent homelessness. Her specialties are dogs and cats.
