Itchy paws are one of the most common complaints a veterinarian is faced with. In general, we see a spike in the number of these cases in the spring and autumn.

Sometimes an owner will bring their dog in because it will not stop chewing at the paws. Other times they will notice that the hair around the paws is turning a red/pink colour. This colour change is called saliva staining and is a good tip that your dog has a problem.

The most common reason for itchy paws in adult dogs is allergy. The allergic process inflames the skin, causing redness, irritation and sometimes a moist appearance.

Once the allergy causes the animal to start chewing at the paws, the chewing and saliva creates an environment for bacteria and yeast to start growing. These secondary invaders are responsible for the smell that can go along with the itchy paws.

How do we treat animals with itchy paws?

The bulk of our efforts centre around dampening down the allergic reaction. This means the use of cortisone-based drugs, either given orally or applied directly to the paws.

Sometimes in addition to using cortisone we need to treat the secondary infections. This is more common in long-standing cases which have not been treated early. There is a lesson here. If you notice your pet has itchy paws, take it to the vet early. It will cost you less in the end and your pet will thank you for it!

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