You may notice that your dog licks his paws so much that open sores form. Your dog may start licking his paws because of arthritis, a parasite, a bacteria skin infection or even a skin allergy. These conditions require medical attention. However, your dog’s paw licking may be a nervous habit and he may find this behavior comforting. However, this can make health issues worse. Act quickly to clean the sores, stop the licking and resolve what caused the licking in the first place. Keep wounds clean and use an anesthetic or anti-inflammatory cream. Your dog may need oral prescription antibiotic medications to help heal the wounds. You may need to use an Elizabethan collar (the cone of shame), wristbands or even prescription sedative drugs to manage your dog’s licking behavior. Exercise or toy play can help distract your dog from licking. For more information, talk with your vet Livonia, MI.