Why does my dog lick his paws at night?

Dogs often lick their paws at night because there are fewer distractions, so they may notice itchiness, irritation, or pain more. Nighttime can also make self-soothing behaviors like licking more noticeable.

Common reasons include:

1. Allergies or skin irritation: Environmental allergens like pollen, grass, dust mites, or food sensitivities can make the paws itchy. Allergies are a very common reason dogs lick their paws.
2. Anxiety, boredom, or stress: Licking can be a calming, repetitive behavior for some dogs.
3. Pain or injury: A cut, thorn, torn nail, burned paw pad, or arthritis can lead to focused licking.
4. Yeast or bacterial infection: Warm, moist paws can develop infections, and licking can make the problem worse by keeping the area damp and irritated.

What to do:

• Check the paws for redness, swelling, cuts, foreign objects, or a bad odor.
• Wipe the paws after walks to reduce dirt and possible allergens.
• See a veterinarian if the licking is frequent, causes hair loss or raw skin, seems painful, or keeps happening.

If the licking is new, intense, or one-sided, it’s worth getting a vet exam sooner rather than later to rule out injury, infection, or allergies.