What Are the Causes of Red Feet on Dogs?
Dog skin problems can be uncomfortable for the dog and sometimes frustrating for both veterinarian and owner to diagnose. Some skin and nail conditions result in red skin on the dog's feet. A dog's response to itching is often to lick the itchy area. If your dog is licking her paws and has red feet, there are some common causes and treatments, and some that are a little trickier to figure out.
Primary Causes
Primary causes of red feet are usually from contact with irritants. These can be lawn chemicals, floor cleaners or rock salt in winter. If you suspect this is the case, wash the dog's paws with mild detergent or dog shampoo and rinse with a 50:50 mix of white vinegar and water. For dogs with sensitive feet, dog booties can keep them comfortable.
Secondary Causes
Red feet can be secondary to some other conditions. A common symptom of food allergies is red, inflamed and itchy feet. Some parasites, noticeably hookworms, enter the dog's system through their pads, and while many dogs have no symptoms until the hookworms attach to the intestinal walls, others will have irritation from the hookworm entry point. A dog may incessantly lick his feet because of a split toenail or splinter; incessant licking can lead to redness and sores called lick granulomas. A bored or stressed dog may also develop the habit of incessant foot-licking.
When Only One Foot is Red
If only one foot is red, the cause is unlikely to be contact irritants or allergies. It may be an insect bite, splinter, broken toenail or fungal infection. Fungal infections can attack a single nail or paw pad. Also check in-between the toes for foreign objects or interdigital cysts. Unless it's a bite or easily-removable splinter, the dog probably needs veterinary attention. If the cause is due to hookworms, a single dose of vet-prescribed wormer will kill the worms and the irritation should quickly subside.
When All Feet are Red
Suspect contact irritation or food allergies if all the dog's feet are persistently red. Red feet can also be a symptom of yeast overgrowth (Candida Albicans). Your veterinarian can prescribe medication such as antihistamines to make your dog more comfortable and help you come up with a treatment plan.
If you notice your dog constantly licking her feet and your vet can find no other cause, consider whether this could be anxiety or boredom. If you suspect this might be the case, try spending more time exercising, playing with and training your dog. Try doggie day care, and give your dog something tasty and long lasting to chew to occupy his time when he is left alone.
Red Feet from Allergies
Food allergies in dogs can often manifest in red feet. If the dog also has general itching, hair loss and frequent tummy upsets, it could be an allergy to a grain or meat protein in her food. An elimination diet will help pinpoint the allergen, and there are many diet options for non-allergenic food.
Atopic (airborne) and seasonal allergies can also cause these symptoms, including red, irritated feet.
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