Learn why your dog’s paws might be itchy and how daily foot soaks can naturally ease discomfort from allergies, infections, and irritants. If your dog frequently licks or chews at their paws, it’s crucial to address it quickly. While some grooming is normal, excessive licking often signals issues like allergies or irritation. A consistent daily routine can offer relief and might even reduce the need for oral treatments.
Reasons Behind Paw Licking
- Environmental Allergens: Dogs often react to allergens like grass, pollen, or mold, leading to inflammation. The fur on their paws can collect irritants, provoking an immune response and causing itchy, inflamed feet.
- Direct Skin Irritants: Lawn chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides can also trigger allergic symptoms. Regularly cleansing your dog’s paws can reduce up to 50% of seasonal paw licking.
- Allergies: These can be due to food, fleas, or environmental factors. Identifying the source of the allergy is crucial for effective treatment.
- Yeast Infections: Yeast is a common cause of dogs excessively licking their paws.
- Bacterial Infections: These can occur secondary to allergies or other conditions.
- Food Sensitivities and Indoor Allergens: Persistent paw licking may be due to food sensitivities or allergens like dust mites and yeast. A fresh, human-grade diet can help manage inflammation.
- Yeast Overgrowth: Identified by a distinct odor, yeast imbalance can lead to overgrowth. A low-carb diet and paw soaks can help manage it.
- Mange: Both demodectic and sarcoptic mange cause severe foot chewing. Immediate treatment is necessary, especially for contagious sarcoptic mange.
Natural Remedies for Itchy Paws
Green Tea and Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment: This treatment is designed for application with gauze, targeting specific areas rather than a full soak.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of green tea, steeped for 20 minutes
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- Soak a gauze pad in the mixture.
- Gently wipe the areas where your dog is licking, focusing on between the toes and pads.
- Apply this treatment twice daily for 7 to 14 days.
Licorice Root Herbal Tincture
For allergies, consider using licorice root, a natural corticosteroid without the side effects.
Dosage:
- 0.5 ml per 20 pounds of body weight, twice daily.
- Use for a maximum of 10 to 14 days.
Anti-Inflammatory Soak for Bacterial and Yeast Infections
Recipe by Dr. Andrew Jones
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of green or nettle leaf tea
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil (warmed to a liquid)
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Soak the foot 2 to 3 times per day for 7 to 10 days.
- Ideally, soak for 5 minutes if your dog is cooperative.
Detoxifying Paw Soak Recipe
Recipe by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker
Ingredients:
- 4 organic green tea bags
- 1⁄2 cup organic, raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup Epsom salts
- 1 quart pure, filtered water
- Optional: 1 tablespoon Povidone Iodine (Betadine™) for antimicrobial benefits
Directions:
- Boil Water: Bring 1 quart of pure, filtered water to a boil.
- Steep Tea & Dissolve Salt: Remove from heat, add the 4 organic green tea bags and 1⁄4 cup Epsom salts. Stir well until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Cool Down: Allow the mixture to cool down to a comfortable temperature for your dog.
- Remove Tea Bags: Once cooled, remove the tea bags from the mixture.
- Add Vinegar & Optional Betadine: Stir in 1⁄2 cup of organic, raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar. If using, add 1 tablespoon of Povidone Iodine (Betadine™) for its antimicrobial properties and mix well.
- Prepare for Soaking: Pour the solution into a bowl that’s large enough to submerge one of your dog’s paws up to the wrist.
- Soak Each Paw: Submerge one paw at a time in the solution, allowing it to penetrate through the fur for about 30 seconds.
- Dry Paws: After soaking, remove the paw and pat it dry with a clean towel. Do not rinse.
- Repeat: Repeat the soaking process for the remaining three paws.
This natural soak promotes health and comfort for your pet’s paws, helping to alleviate discomfort from allergies, infections, and irritants.
Povidone Iodine: A Natural Antimicrobial Aid
Povidone iodine is an excellent natural antimicrobial aid, effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It’s non-toxic, non-irritating, and promotes wound healing. For injured paws, povidone iodine soaks can help reduce infection and potentially eliminate the need for antibiotics. It is widely available over-the-counter, making it a staple in first-aid kits.
Ingredients:
- Povidone iodine (Betadine™)
- Warm water
Instructions:
- Prepare the Solution: Add enough povidone iodine to warm water to create a tea-colored solution. The mixture should be diluted enough to avoid staining your dog’s fur.
- Soak the Paws: Submerge your dog’s paws in the solution for about 2-5 minutes. This allows the iodine to penetrate and clean between the toes and pads, where bacteria and fungi often thrive.
- Dry the Paws: After soaking, gently pat the paws dry with a clean towel. Do not rinse off the iodine solution, as it continues to work as it dries.
- Repeat: For best results, repeat this soaking process twice daily until symptoms improve.
Treating Interdigital Cysts
Interdigital cysts are infections that occur between the foot pads of dogs, often caused by bacterial growth. These cysts can be painful and lead to excessive licking or limping. To treat interdigital cysts effectively, consider using olive leaf extract, a natural antibacterial remedy administered orally.
Ingredients:
- Olive leaf extract
Dosage Instructions:
- Measure 1-2 mg of olive leaf extract per pound of your dog’s body weight.
- Administer the calculated dosage daily.
- Continue for 10-14 days.
This natural approach can help reduce bacterial infections and promote healing, offering relief and comfort to your dog. Regular monitoring and maintaining a clean environment for your dog’s paws are also essential to prevent recurrence.
Additional Soak Options:
- Use chlorhexidine, black tea, or the nettle, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and lavender recipe (mentioned above).
- Soak twice daily for best results.
Final Thoughts on Itchy Paws
Itchy paws indicate underlying issues such as allergies, irritants, infections, or parasites. Identifying and addressing the root cause promptly is key to relief. If your dog’s licking persists, results in redness, or is accompanied by odors or sores, it’s important to consult your holistic or integrative veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Early diagnosis can lead to quicker relief and help prevent further complications.