Excessive Paw Licking? Why it happens and What you can do.
Your dog is excessively licking their paws, and there are many possible causes. Dog Allergy, Pododermatitis, Interdigital Cysts. Dr. Jones shows you how you can tell why your dog is licking, and the most important home remedies.
#1: Allergies: Dogs with allergies will constantly lick their paws, and in white dogs, you’ll see a dark stain between the paws. It could be food or flea related.
Licorice Root tincture can stop the licking quite quickly. Dosage: 1/2ml per 20lbs twice daily, for a maximum of 10-14 days.
#2 Pododermatitis: Causes of pododermatitis can be bacterial, yeast, or inflammation based (ie from salt). An antibacterial soak you can use to soothe is nettle, or green tea.
Dosage: Take 1 cup of brewed tea, 2 tablespoons of liquid coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Soak your pets paws in this soak for about 5 minutes each, 2-3 times a day for 7-10 days.
#3 Interdigital Cyst: There will be a small lump or cyst growing between two digits. It will be swollen and infected with bacteria. Most dogs will need an antibiotic, but a natural option is Olive Leaf. It is an important natural antibacterial. As well, if your pet has a interdigital cyst, I recommend soaking the affected paw twice daily in either: chlorhexidine, black tea, or the soak I mentioned above.
Dosage: 1-2mg/lb twice per day for 10-14 days. You will most likely see improvement in about a week.
Hi Dr. Jones,
Thank you for this video. My dog has interdigital cyst and I’m attempting to go the natural antibiotic route.
I’m not clear on the amount of Olive Leaf Extract to give my dog. You said 1-2mg per pound per day but then said you’d give Tula 1/2 a capsule a day (250 mg) and she’s 20 pounds. Wouldn’t the correct amount be 20-40 mg a day?
My dog is 36 pounds. I have a olive leaf extract 50% oleuropein. Each capsule is 750 mg, I’m thinking to give him half a capsule a day = 375 mg of olive leaf extract a day for 10 days.
Thanks in advance.
The dosage range is 1mg – 5mg/lb, twice daily, this is assuming no gut reactions. It’s best to start at the lower end and work up, assuming no vomiting/diarrhea.
Is the olive leaf topical or oral?
The powder extract is given orally.
Would you please answer the previous comments as they are both relevant to my 45lb dog. Thanks
We would suggest 50 – 100mg for your dog to start, daily, and try working up to as high as 250mg twice daily, monitoring always.
Hi Dr Jones
My dog suffers from excessive paw licking. The video for Licorice Root tincture states the Dosage: 1/2ml per 20lbs twice daily, for a maximum of 10-14 days. Is it applied to the food, water, or by mouth?
Thank you
Hello Dr. Jones, If my dog is about 130lbs how much Olive Leaf Extract should I start out with. He gets the cysts all the time in the same place. Thanks
The dosage range is 1mg – 5mg/lb, twice daily, this is assuming no gut reactions. It’s best to start at the lower end and work up, assuming no vomiting/diarrhea.