Watching an old dog suddenly start licking their feet or paws nonstop can be alarming, especially when the behavior appears out of nowhere and doesn’t seem to stop.
Excessive paw licking in senior dogs is often a sign of underlying discomfort, illness, or emotional distress that deserves careful attention.
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Old Dog Excessively Licking Feet: Why It Happens
An old dog excessively licking their feet is most often caused by chronic skin irritation, joint pain, nerve discomfort, allergies, hormonal imbalance, or anxiety-related behaviors that develop as the body ages.
As dogs grow older, their immune system, joints, nerves, and skin barrier weaken, making them more sensitive to inflammation, infection, and discomfort. Conditions such as arthritis, allergic dermatitis, thyroid disease, and neuropathy can all create persistent sensations in the paws that trigger constant licking.
Emotional changes, cognitive decline, and reduced stress tolerance can also contribute to repetitive licking behaviors.
In many cases, more than one medical factor is present at the same time, making the problem appear suddenly and worsen quickly.
Old Dog Excessively Licking Feet: Common Causes
Environmental and Food Allergies
Allergies are one of the most common reasons senior dogs begin licking their feet excessively. Over time, repeated exposure to environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and grasses can cause the immune system to become hypersensitive.
When this happens, the body releases inflammatory chemicals that irritate the skin, especially in sensitive areas like the paws.
Food allergies can develop later in life as well, even if your dog has eaten the same diet for years. Proteins such as chicken, beef, dairy, or wheat may suddenly trigger immune reactions that lead to itching and inflammation.
The paws become red, swollen, and uncomfortable, prompting constant licking for relief. You may also notice ear infections, belly rashes, or chronic skin irritation alongside paw licking.
Because allergic inflammation is ongoing, dogs often lick to the point of creating sores, hair loss, and secondary infections, which worsen the cycle of irritation.
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Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain
Arthritis is extremely common in older dogs and frequently contributes to excessive paw licking. As cartilage wears down with age, joints become inflamed, stiff, and painful. This pain may be subtle at first and difficult for owners to recognize.
Dogs often lick the paws connected to painful joints as a way to self-soothe. For example, hip arthritis may lead to licking of the back feet, while elbow or shoulder arthritis may affect the front paws.
The licking behavior provides temporary comfort by stimulating nerve endings and releasing small amounts of endorphins.
In many cases, arthritis-related licking is accompanied by slower movement, difficulty standing, reluctance to climb stairs, or changes in posture.
Without pain management, the discomfort continues to intensify, leading to more obsessive licking.
Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Disorders
Nerve disease becomes more common in aging dogs and can cause unusual sensations in the paws.
Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves responsible for sensation and movement, leading to tingling, burning, numbness, or “pins and needles” feelings.
When nerves malfunction, the brain receives abnormal signals that feel uncomfortable or painful.
Dogs respond by licking or chewing at their feet in an attempt to relieve these sensations. Unlike allergy-related licking, neuropathic licking may not be associated with redness or visible irritation at first.
You may also notice weakness, dragging of paws, knuckling, trembling, or changes in gait. Diabetes, spinal disease, tumors, and degenerative nerve conditions can all contribute to this problem in senior dogs.
Because nerve damage often progresses slowly, excessive licking may be one of the earliest warning signs.
Bacterial and Fungal Paw Infections
Older dogs have weaker immune defenses, making them more prone to infections between the toes and paw pads. Moisture, allergies, and small skin injuries allow bacteria and yeast to multiply rapidly.
These infections cause intense itching, burning, and inflammation. The paws may appear red, swollen, greasy, or have a strong odor.
Discharge, scabbing, or thickened skin may also develop. Licking temporarily relieves discomfort but spreads saliva that further irritates the skin and feeds microorganisms.
Chronic infections can become deeply embedded in the skin layers, making them difficult to resolve without medical treatment. If left untreated, they may spread to nails, joints, and surrounding tissues.
Hormonal Disorders and Metabolic Disease
Endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease are common in senior dogs and frequently contribute to skin problems. These conditions disrupt hormone balance, which weakens the skin barrier and impairs immune function.
Hypothyroidism slows skin regeneration and reduces oil production, causing dryness, flaking, and increased susceptibility to infection. Cushing’s disease raises cortisol levels, leading to thin skin, poor healing, and chronic inflammation.
As the skin deteriorates, paws become more sensitive and irritated. Dogs lick excessively in response to ongoing discomfort. Additional signs may include weight changes, hair loss, increased thirst, lethargy, and recurring infections.
Because these diseases affect the entire body, paw licking is often just one part of a larger health issue.
Anxiety, Cognitive Decline, and Compulsive Behavior
Mental health changes in older dogs can strongly influence paw licking. Canine cognitive dysfunction, similar to dementia in humans, affects memory, perception, and emotional regulation. Dogs may become confused, restless, and anxious, leading to repetitive behaviors.
Stress, separation anxiety, and environmental changes can also trigger compulsive licking.
Senior dogs often have reduced coping ability and may fixate on soothing behaviors like paw licking to calm themselves.
Over time, the behavior becomes habitual and continues even when the original trigger is gone. This can lead to severe skin damage, infections, and long-term behavioral issues if not addressed.
Related: Old Dog Back Legs Collapsing (Signs of nerve and joint disease)
Old Dog Excessively Licking Feet: What to Do
If your dog is licking their paws constantly, start by gently inspecting the feet daily for redness, swelling, cuts, discharge, or foreign objects. Keeping the paws clean and dry helps reduce irritation and prevents infection from developing.
Provide a soft, supportive sleeping area and limit activities that worsen joint pain. Comfortable bedding, orthopedic mats, and gentle exercise can significantly reduce arthritis-related discomfort and lower licking behavior.
Maintain a consistent diet and avoid sudden food changes. If allergies are suspected, work with your veterinarian on elimination diets or prescription foods rather than experimenting on your own.
Reduce environmental stress by keeping routines stable, providing mental stimulation, and offering calming enrichment such as puzzle toys, gentle play, and quiet rest areas. Emotional stability can reduce compulsive behaviors.
Avoid using human creams, essential oils, or harsh antiseptics on your dog’s paws unless specifically directed by a veterinarian, as these products can worsen irritation or cause toxicity.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Contact your veterinarian promptly if paw licking lasts more than a few days, worsens over time, or leads to open sores, bleeding, or limping.
Seek immediate veterinary care if your dog shows signs of severe pain, weakness, loss of coordination, sudden behavioral changes, or difficulty walking.
Persistent odor, discharge, thickened skin, or darkened paw pads may indicate deep infections that require prescription treatment.
If paw licking is accompanied by weight changes, excessive thirst, hair loss, or lethargy, hormonal testing may be needed to rule out endocrine disease.
Sudden onset of obsessive licking, especially in combination with confusion or disorientation, should be evaluated for neurological or cognitive disorders.
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Key Takeaway
Excessive paw licking in an old dog is rarely just a habit and is usually a sign of physical discomfort, skin disease, nerve problems, hormonal imbalance, or emotional distress.
While mild irritation may resolve with supportive care, persistent or worsening licking deserves professional evaluation.
By paying attention to early changes, providing proper comfort, and working closely with your veterinarian, you can help your senior dog stay comfortable, healthy, and emotionally secure in their golden years.