This apparently harmless behavior can reveal real suffering in animals. In addition, the risks increase in autumn and winter.
When you adopt a dog, you don’t always suspect the dangers around it. Outside, sidewalks can be covered with toxic products, parks can contain pesticide residues on plants, grass, and certain autumn fruits like acorns are harmful if they are swallowed. At home too, our companions are exposed to risks with our cleaning products or certain everyday objects. This permanent exposure to irritating substances makes surveillance of their essential behavior to quickly identify signs of problem. Because unlike us, our dogs cannot tell us when something is wrong.
Our four -legged companions communicate mainly by their gestures and attitudes, which forces us to decipher their signals to understand their state of health. A change in their eating habits, a modification of their sleep pace, or an alteration of their behavior during walks can reveal underlying problems. Among these signals, the compulsive licking of the legs deserves special attention, especially as falling and winter approaches.
This gesture, often perceived as harmless by owners, can actually mask a real physical distress. Harry Chapman, Managing Director of Dotdotpet, warns the owners: “Statistics show that lightening legs increases in autumn and winter. It’s not just weird behavior, it’s your dog who tells you something important about his health. Many owners reject the licking of legs as well as boredom, but this can be a sign of early alert of discomfort or inflammation “he explained to our colleagues from Express.co. Indeed, wet and cold climatic conditions can weaken the dogs of dogs, creating irritation, painful inflammation and small cracks. At this time of the year, the persistent humidity due to the rain, the puddles and frosts weakens the pads, while the repeated passages between the cold exterior and the heated interior dehydrate the skin of the legs, causing itching.
Faced with this seasonal problem, several preventive measures are essential to preserve the well-being of our animals. The expert recommends thoroughly cleaning the legs after each outing to eliminate the allergens and irritants accumulated, then drying them carefully, paying particular attention to the spaces between the fingers where humidity can stagnate. The application of a protective balm before walks can also create a moisturizing barrier which prevents crevices and irritations. It is also advisable to cut the hairs located between the pads regularly to avoid the accumulation of debris. In the event of excessive licking, a veterinary consultation is essential to rule out any more serious health problem!
