If you’ve ever caught your pup licking their paws nonstop, you know how concerning it can be. Our sweet Maddie, a 3-year-old Havanese, recently started licking her paw so much that she actually removed fur from the base of her pads. We were stumped! No new shampoos, no lawn chemicals, no food changes, etc. There was simply nothing we or even our veterinarian could pinpoint as the cause. 

That’s when we decided to take paws (matters) into our own hands!

Firstly – Why Dogs Lick Their Paws

Dogs lick their paws for many reasons—sometimes it’s grooming, other times it’s allergies, irritation, injury or it could even be from a little boredom. While occasional licking isn’t unusual, excessive licking can lead to fur loss, redness, or even infection. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian first to rule out anything serious.

The Solution That Worked for Our Maddie

We abandoned our search for the underlying cause because it was unclear so we focused on creating a solution to help her recover. We discovered an excellent paw salve that treats irritation and shields our baby’s sensitive paws, generously applying that to her paws. We used the cutest pink (of course!) dog socks that fit over her paws. 

The combination proved to be a game-changer for our sweet Maddie! The salve functions to soothe and heal  the skin while the socks shield the paws from licking and enable healing. She struts around in her cute little socks, looking completely adorable! 

We made sure we monitored our baby girl for recurring behaviors to determine if they develop after specific events or activities. After having had a dog with Cushing Syndrome that required the use of socks as well, we were taught to confirm that the socks were not on too tight and to remove them periodically to let her paws ‘breathe’ naturally. 

Comfort, protection and patience often result in the most effective solution. So for us, the salve + socks method has allowed Maddie to give her paws the necessary rest they needed to begin healing.

What You Can Do If Your Dog Is a Licker

If your furry friend is going through the same thing, here are some steps you can try:

• ✅ Consult your vet first to make sure it’s not a health issue like allergies, infection or injury.
• ✅ Use a soothing paw salve to moisturize and protect the skin.
• ✅ Cover with breathable socks or booties so your pup can’t lick the treatment away.
• ✅ Keep an eye out for patterns—does it happen after walks, certain foods, or stressful situations?

Now for the Products We Used #ad

Salve – Pet Paw Balm – This is an all-natural 8-in-1 paw salve that is made with lick-safe, food-grade ingredients including coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera and vitamin E. These ingredients combine to deeply moisturize and protect your fur baby’s paws and even their noses, all year long.

It creates an invisible barrier against hot pavement, rough terrain, salt and harsh weather while soothing dry, cracked or irritated paw pads. It’s a quick-absorbing, non-greasy salve that is perfect for daily use and safe for all pets – not just dogs. Simply massage into clean paws before walks or bedtime to keep your furry friend comfortable and protected during any adventure. Note: This salve can also be used on cats – and even horses!

Socks – KoolTail Dog Socks – These cute socks are made of 75% Cotton and 25% Polyester which provides the perfect stretch for your fur baby’s feet. The soft, breathable fabric can effectively keep warm but, it is also comfortable, allowing the dog to feel a soft wrap. And it also can protect your dog’s paws from stones and glass, and cold/hot floor.

One of the cool features is that they have ‘grip’ on each side of the sock, which provides additional traction when your dog walks on smooth floors. Even when the socks twist around on their paws, the socks still provide good grip. In addition, the design of the double-sided grip ensures a longer lifespan of the socks. When the grip on one side is worn and has no anti slip effect, it can cause the dog to wear on the other side, exerting a new anti slip effect. They also have a great strap which you use to wrap the dog’s feet, which you can adjust for a secure fit.

Suitable for small, medium & large dogs, these socks help prevent your dog from licking wounds, from getting burned on the hot pavement during summer months and from getting frostbitten in the cold winter. These socks also help prevent dogs from scratching the sofa and your hardwood floors.