Why do dogs lick their paws? 7 common reasons

First things first. Why do dogs lick their paws? They may just be grooming themselves, which is totally normal. Occasional paw licking – a few minutes a day – is far from unusual. While not as fastidious as cats, dogs do make some effort to keep themselves, particularly their paws, clean. It’s common for a dog to lick his paws briefly after coming in from a walk, especially if he might have gotten sand or a lot of dirt on them. If you’re wondering, Should I stop my dog from licking his paws? and the behaviour fits that description, then no. If your  dog seems to be constantly licking his paws, read on.