Dogs lick their paws primarily for self-grooming to clean dirt and debris from their paws. However, excessive paw licking can indicate underlying issues such as skin irritation from allergies (environmental or food-related), injuries (cuts, splinters, insect bites), infections (bacterial or yeast), pain (such as arthritis), or even psychological causes like anxiety and boredom. Below are the main reasons why dogs lick their paws:

• Self-grooming: Normal behavior to clean paws and remove dirt or debris.
• Skin irritation and allergies: Paws can become itchy due to environmental allergens like pollen, grass, or chemicals, or food allergies.
• Injury or pain: Licking can be a response to cuts, thorns, insect bites, or joint pain.
• Infections: Excess moisture from licking may lead to bacterial or yeast infections.
• Psychological reasons: Stress, anxiety, or boredom can result in compulsive licking as a soothing behavior.

If a dog licks paws excessively or obsessively, it is advisable to check for injuries, signs of infection, or allergic symptoms and consult a veterinarian if needed for diagnosis and treatment options.