Why Is My Goldendoodle Licking His Paws All The Time?

Is your Goldendoodle licking his paws all the time? If so, you’re not alone. Paw licking is a common behavior for dogs, but why do they do it and what can we do to stop it? In this post, we’ll take a look at why Goldendoodles lick their paws and offer some tips on how to curb the behavior. Stay tuned!

Table of Contents

• Normal Reasons For A Goldendoodle To Lick His Paws
• Concerning Reasons For Goldendoodle Paw Licking
• Tips For Curbing Excessive Paw Licking In Goldendoodles
• Goldendoodle Licking Paws: Final Thoughts

Normal Reasons For A Goldendoodle To Lick His Paws

There are a few reasons that could explain why your Goldendoodle is licking his paws all the time. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones that are generally quite harmless:

Your Goldendoodle’s Nails Are Too Long

Just like our own nails can grow rather quickly and need to be clipped often, so do dogs’ nails. If your Goldendoodle’s nails have grown too long, it’s normal for them to start licking and nibbling them to tackle the problem.

If you suspect that your Goldendoodle’s paw licking is due to a missed mani-pedi session, be sure to take the time for a quick nail trim. Regular nail trims can help to prevent these problems from occurring in the first place.

The Fur Between His Toes Has Grown Too Long

Goldendoodles have a lot of fur, and it can sometimes get pretty long – especially between their toes! If you notice your Goldendoodle licking his paws more than usual, it could be because the fur has gotten too long and is starting to bother him. He may also be trying to remove any dirt or debris that’s gotten caught in there. It’s important to keep an eye on the length of your Goldendoodle’s fur, and make sure to trim it regularly – especially between his toes! Otherwise, he may start licking his paws more often and could develop skin irritation.

Your Goldendoodle’s Paws Are Dirty

Your Goldendoodle may simply be licking his paws to clean them from any dirt and debris. Goldendoodle paws are especially susceptible to dirt and mud because of their fur-like hair coat, which traps moisture and dirt. These Doods love to play outside, and they often get their paws muddy or wet while they’re exploring the great outdoors. 

Of course, it’s important to keep Goldendoodles’ paws clean so that they don’t develop infections or other health problems. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to keep Goldendoodles’ paws clean and healthy. For example, you can wipe their paws with a damp cloth after they come inside from playing. You can also give them regular baths and brush their fur regularly to remove any dirt or debris that might be trapped in their fur.

It Simply Feels Good!

Finally, sometimes dogs just like the way it feels to lick their paws! If your Goldendoodle is healthy and there’s no underlying medical reason for his paw licking, he may just enjoy the sensation. While there’s no need to worry if this is the case, you may want to provide him with a chew toy or bone to help redirect his licking behavior.

Concerning Reasons For Goldendoodle Paw Licking

While excessive Goldendoodle paw licking may seem like a harmless quirk, it can actually be a sign of a more serious problem. Let’s take a look at some of the more common reasons why your pup may be licking his paws excessively:

Injury, Illness, & Pain Relief

If your Goldendoodle is licking his paws due to pain, you may notice him favoring one paw over the other, or limping. Paw licking can be a way for dogs to self-soothe when they’re in pain, and it’s often seen in dogs with arthritis or other joint problems. If you think your Goldendoodle is licking his paws due to pain, talk to your veterinarian about possible solutions, such as pain medication or physical therapy.

In addition to that, it’s not uncommon for a dog’s paws to get injured due to stepping on something sharp, for example. Similarly, your Goldendoodle may resort to excessive paw licking to soothe the pain.

Infections

If your Goldendoodle’s paw licking is accompanied by other symptoms, such as redness, swelling, or drainage from the affected area, he may have an infection. Again, it’s very likely that your Dood is trying to soothe the pain and discomfort. If you think your Goldendoodle has an infection, take him to the vet immediately for treatment.

Parasites, Fleas, & Ticks

If your Goldendoodle is constantly licking his paws, it could be a sign that he has parasites. Parasites are one of the most common causes of Goldendoodle paw licking. These tiny creatures can invade the skin, causing itching and irritation. In some cases, they may even burrow into the paw pads, causing pain and inflammation.

While there are a number of reasons why a dog may lick his paws, itchiness is one of the most common. And if your Goldendoodle is itching, it’s likely because he has fleas, mites, or some other type of parasitic infection. That’s why keeping your pup up to date on all of his parasite and flea medications is crucial. 

Stress, Boredom, or Anxiety

Another common reason for paw licking is boredom or anxiety, including separation anxiety. If your Goldendoodle is bored, he may lick his paws as a way to pass the time. And if he’s anxious and stressed, he may lick his paws as a way to comfort himself. If you think boredom or anxiety is the cause of your Goldendoodle’s paw licking, there are a few things you can do to help, such as increasing his exercise, providing him with more toys and enrichment, and working on training and behavior modification.

Allergies

If your Goldendoodle is licking his paws due to allergies, you may notice him licking other parts of his body as well. Allergies are a common cause of paw licking in dogs, and they can be caused by a variety of things, including pollen, grass, and even certain types of food. If you think allergies may be the culprit, talk to your veterinarian about possible solutions, such as allergy medication or a change in diet.

Skin Problems

Skin dryness is actually very common in all dogs, especially during very hot and very cold months. This can cause itchiness and discomfort, which your pup then tries to soothe with excessive paw licking. 

Additionally, allergies, sensitivities, and parasites can all contribute to skin dryness, irritation, and other skin conditions. Therefore, you want to make sure that your Dood’s skin is healthy and doesn’t cause any problems for your dog. 

By the way, skin problems are very quick to emerge if you don’t properly groom your Goldendoodle. Their thick coats can easily trap moisture, leading to irritation and itchiness. In addition to that, matted hair can also cause pain and discomfort, leading to very uncomfortable and worrying skin conditions.

Abnormal Growth

Another reason responsible for excessive Goldendoodle paw licking could be abnormal growth. Abnormal growths can be itchy and sore, and they can get in the way of your dog’s normal movement. 

Moreover, Certain types of cancer can cause tumors to develop on a Goldendoodle’s paws, which will then become irritated and inflamed, resulting in excessive licking. If a tumor is present on a Goldendoodle’s paw, it can grow large and painful quickly, leading the dog to lick their paw obsessively in an attempt to soothe the discomfort. 

Tips For Curbing Excessive Paw Licking In Goldendoodles

How do I get my Goldendoodle to stop licking his paws? If your Goldendoodle is excessively licking his paws (more than a few times a day), it’s important to take action to help curb the behavior. Here are a few tips:

Increase Exercise

One of the best ways to reduce excessive Goldendoodle paw licking is to increase your Goldendoodle’s exercise. A good rule of thumb is to provide him with at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Ideally, these Doods should get around 60 minutes of exercise daily, which you can break up into two 30 minute sessions. If your Goldendoodle isn’t used to a lot of exercise, start slowly and build up gradually.

Address Anxiety or Boredom

If boredom or anxiety is the cause of your Goldendoodle’s paw licking, there are a few things you can do to help. For boredom, try increasing his exercise and providing him with more toys and enrichment. 

In fact, Goldendoodles are quite active pups and they require both mental and physical stimulation to keep unwanted and obsessive behaviors at bay. For this reason, make sure your pup has plenty of interactive toys and puzzle games to play with. Don’t forget training as well, as they love to learn new tricks. 

For anxiety, consider training and behavior modification. You may also want to talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety methods, such as medications.

Change His Diet

If you think allergies may be the cause of your Goldendoodle’s paw licking, changing his diet may help. First of all, make sure that you feed your pup a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet that has no artificial ingredients, such as flavors, preservatives or colorants. Secondly, talk to your veterinarian about switching to a hypoallergenic or limited ingredient diet. You may also have to consider an elimination diet, as these pups are known to often struggle with food allergies and intolerances. 

See Your Veterinarian

Finally, if you’ve tried these tips and your Goldendoodle’s paw licking behavior continues, it’s important to see your veterinarian. Heck, whenever in doubt, we always recommend you consult with your veterinarian to get to the root of the problem. There could be an underlying medical condition causing the behavior, and only a professional can properly diagnose and treat the problem.

Goldendoodle Licking Paws: Final Thoughts

If your Goldendoodle is licking his paws, it’s important to find out the underlying cause. Allergies, boredom, anxiety, and pain are all common reasons for paw licking in dogs. If the behavior persists, be sure to see your veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions. With a little patience and effort, you can help curb your Goldendoodle’s paw licking behavior.