Dachshunds are a lot of things: small, cute, and generally friendly. But they can also be very prone to long-term skin conditions and allergies, which can lead them to lick their paws obsessively – how can you stop a dachshund licking?
This is a problem that many dachshund owners have had to face at one point or another: your little wiener dog is licking its paws so much that it’s actually starting to affect their health.
The good news is that there are several reasons why your dog might be licking its paws excessively, but the bad news is that you’ll need to identify what exactly it is before taking any action.
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Dachshunds can be very prone to long-term skin conditions and allergies
Dachshunds can be very prone to long-term skin conditions and allergies, which can lead them to lick their paws obsessively. If you have a dachshund that is licking their paws excessively, it’s important that you take the proper steps to identify what may be causing it and help them find relief.
It could be that your dog is suffering from itchy skin, from environmental allergies, leading to excessive licking. An allergic reaction would also make your dog want to lick excessively, or lead to constant licking, which would then exacerbate any skin irritation.
Dachshunds are known for being very obsessive about things like chewing on objects (especially socks), but some dogs are more prone than others to obsessively licking themselves or other items. In fact, excessive paw licking is one of the most common signs of depression in dogs!
It’s a good idea to try and find the barrier of the problem
If you notice that your dog has excessive paw licking, it’s a good idea to try and find the barrier of the problem, such as fleas. Fleas can cause dogs to itch and make them lick their paws excessively.
However, it can be hard to determine if your dachshund is having a reaction to fleas because they are so small and difficult to find. In addition, there are many other factors that may cause paw licking in dogs, including allergies and stress-related behaviors.
There are a number of factors that could be causing your dachshund to lick his paws
There are a number of factors that could be causing your dachshund to lick his paws. If you’re noticing that he’s licking his paws for longer than usual, it’s best to take him to the vet right away. There are many things that can cause this behavior and depending on which one it is, it may need immediate attention, or it might be something that can wait till your next visit with the vet.
The most common causes of paw licking include: fleas, allergies, insect bites, dry skin and infections. Your dachshund might also have an injury on their paws from playing too roughly outside in the yard or from another animal attack like a fox attack (which does happen more often than we think).
If there are no visible injuries, then take a look at the texture of their feet; if they’re cracked or irritated, then this is usually a sign of dryness or allergies, causing them discomfort when walking around on hard surfaces such as concrete sidewalks/pavements etc. If left untreated, this could cause an infection, swelling and pain.
You’ll want to make sure these conditions don’t get any worse by giving them ample amounts of water throughout every day until they see their regular vet again. Also, look out for any potential compulsive behaviors which might be leading to your dog constantly licking.
A first step would be taking your dog to the vet
To start, the first step would be taking your dog to the vet for a check-up. While licking their paws may not be an indication of anything serious, it’s always better to rule out any physical issues.
It’s possible that there is something going on under the surface that can be treated with medication or surgery in order to fix it, like ticks, or an embedded grass seed, from one of their outdoor walks, causing discomfort.
It is not uncommon for dogs, including dachshunds, to lick their paws and legs excessively
Licking or chewing the paws is not uncommon for a dachshund. In fact, it can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. It is also possible that they are licking their paws because they have been given something to eliminate pain or as part of their recovery following surgery.
In order to find out if your dog’s excessive paw licking is related to an underlying condition, you need to identify what type of paw licker he/she is:
- A “chewer” will take a small piece of their own skin and then chew it off until there is nothing left but raw flesh. This type of injury requires immediate medical attention, as the tissue can become infected very quickly without treatment. The chewer needs antibiotics and pain relief in order for him/her to heal properly – otherwise, the wound may never heal completely!
- A “licker” will lick his/her paws until there are no more visible signs that anything was ever wrong with them! This type of paw licking often occurs when a dog has allergies or when he/she has been treated with steroids like prednisone, which reduces inflammation, and redness, but also causes itching (this side effect lasts anywhere from 4-12 weeks).
Anxiety can also cause them to act out in ways they wouldn’t normally
Anxiety is a common cause of paw licking. If a pup is anxious, they may lick their paws as an attempt to cope with the anxiety. The anxiety could be caused by any number of factors, such as changes in their environment or routine. For example, if you change up your dog’s diet, and they don’t like it, they may start licking their paws because this feels familiar to them.
Anxiety can also be caused by changes in the dog’s environment or routine. It’s important for you to keep your dachshund happy and comfortable. By making sure that everything is stable so that he doesn’t feel anxious about anything.
The best solution is taking action earlier rather than later
The best way to deal with paw licking is by taking action as early as possible. It’s not uncommon for dogs to start licking their paws due to boredom, anxiety, stress and more serious issues. Many times, these problems don’t lead anywhere if you address them right away. But if you ignore the problem or wait too long, it could become much harder to treat.
If you notice, your doxie is licking their feet a lot more than usual. Check in with your veterinarian first thing to find out the reason (or bring it up with them during their diagnosis appointment). If they think there may be a medical cause behind the behavior. Then they can help find an appropriate solution for both of you. As well as giving you some much-needed advice on dealing with the symptoms.
Perhaps it’s something simple, like needing their nails to be clipped. Itchiness is common in the dachshund breed. So getting your dog seen is always the best plan of action, before they develop an excessive licking habit.
There are several reasons why your dog might be licking its paws
There are several reasons why your dog might be licking its paws, you just have to identify what it is.
Anxiety: If your dachshund is stressed or nervous in a particular situation, they may start licking their paws. This is because of the stress hormone cortisol, which stimulates an animal’s brain to act out in strange ways.
Allergies: If your dachshund has allergies such as seasonal allergies or food allergies. That make their body feel uncomfortable. They may begin licking their paws excessively as part of an attempt to relieve their discomfort.
In most cases, where dogs lick around the face and feet area (also known as “licking”). It’s caused by something on those areas of their body rather than inside them. Like with heartworms or other internal parasites.
Physical problems: There are many things that could be causing your dog pain. Such as arthritis or even cancer. So if you suspect any type of medical problem, take him/her to see a vet immediately.
Dogs who suffer from certain conditions like diabetes will also lick more frequently than others because these conditions cause higher levels of blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you to understand the possible causes behind your dachshund’s excessive licking. If they are suffering from allergies or skin conditions. There are several treatments available that can help them to stop licking their paws so much.
However, if your dog is normally healthy. Then it will be up to you as an owner to decide whether this behavior becomes a problem for your family.