Shih Tzus have existed for hundreds of years, so they’ve had time to develop odd habits. One habit, in particular, is paw licking.
Many Shih Tzus lick their paws, and owners are puzzled as to why this is. Of course, grooming is one reason, but Shih Tzus seem to lick their feet more than other dogs.
The short answer is that either allergies or a direct irritant cause paw licking. The challenging task is identifying what kind of allergy or direct irritant is causing the licking.
Questions to Ask Yourself First
To better determine why your Shih Tzu is licking its paws so much, ask yourself these questions:
- What is the dog’s everyday environment, both inside and outside?
- Does my Shih Tzu excessively lick its feet during specific seasons?
- Are there other wounds on my Shih Tzu’s body?
- What is my Shih Tzu’s diet?
- Have I traveled anywhere with my Shih Tzu outside the typical environment?
- Does my Shih Tzu have any other medical ailments?
These questions guide you in investigating your Shih Tzu’s behavior. With that said, let’s dive into some possible reasons your Shih Tzu keeps licking its paws.
The 7 Reasons Why Shih Tzus Lick Their Paws
1. Infection
Yeast and bacterial infection¹ can cause itchiness, pain, and overall discomfort. Typically, the space between the pads is affected the most. Since dogs don’t have thumbs, licking is the only way to alleviate the discomfort. Sadly, this often makes the situation worse.
Place a cone on your dog’s head and use a dog-approved antiseptic. If nothing changes, take your dog to the vet for further examination.
2. Wounds
Paw wounds, like scabs, cuts, and burns, may cause your Shih Tzu to lick its paws more often. Dog paw pads are generally rougher for protection, but Shih Tzus don’t need to go outside as much, so their paw pads can be easily hurt.
3. Boredom
Some people like to shower when bored, and some dogs like to bathe. In your Shih Tzu’s case, it enjoys licking its paws.
4. Stress
Dogs will often lick their paws to ease their stress. This, of course, can lead to raw feet if they do it too much.
5. Irritants
Paw irritants can be from chemicals, grass stickers, and salt, to name a few. There are so many ways a dog’s paws can become irritated. Nevertheless, it causes pododermatitis¹ or inflammation of the skin of the paw.
6. Allergies
Allergies¹ are a big reason dogs of any breed start licking their paws excessively. Food and environmental allergies (atopy) often cause excessive itching of the skin throughout the dog’s body, including the paw pads.
You may notice other signs, including digestive issues, aggression, weight loss, hyperactivity, or lack of energy. Your Shih Tzu may not show all of these signs, either.
7. Fleas, Ticks, & Mites
Fleas, ticks, and mites like to attach themselves to pet fur and feed on blood and dead skin cells. The paw pads are no exception. Demodex mites¹ specifically are common in dogs. These mites cause mange, a parasitic skin disease.
Conclusion
Seeing your Shih Tzu constantly licking their paws can be worrying, but it’s often a sign that something treatable is going on, most commonly allergies. With the right diagnosis and support from your veterinarian, many dogs experience real relief.
Addressing the cause early can greatly improve your dog’s comfort, well-being, and day-to-day happiness.
See also:
- Does Shih Tzus Sleep a Lot? The Surprising Answer!
- Is Shih Tzus Smarter Than the Average Dog?
- Why Is My Shih Tzu Panting?
Featured Image Credit: Sanyalux Srisurin, Shutterstock
Questions to Ask Yourself First
