Dog itching and licking paws, but no fleas: what to track for your vet

If your dog is itching or licking their paws more than normal, call your vet, even when you cannot see any fleas: the PDSA says itchy skin should not be ignored. The most useful thing you can bring is a dated record of how often it happens, how long it lasts, and whether the skin itself is changing.

Signs that mean go to a vet now

Go to your vet or an emergency vet straight away, and call on the way, if your dog has any of these.

• Swelling of parts of the body, especially the face. Go now. The University of Sydney's vet hospital lists this among the signs of an emergency.
• An insect bite or sting followed by difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea or collapse. Go straight away.
• Difficulty breathing, or collapse. Go now. The University of Sydney's vet hospital lists both as emergencies.
• Severe pain or distress. Go now. The University of Sydney's vet hospital lists this among the signs that need urgent care.

If you are unsure whether it is an emergency, the University of Sydney's vet hospital puts it simply: it is always safest to bring your pet in.

Signs that mean call your vet today

Call your vet for advice the same day if your dog has any of these.

• Scratching or nibbling more than normal. The PDSA says to always contact your vet if you think your dog is scratching or nibbling themselves more than normal, and that itchy skin should not be ignored.
• Scratching that happens regularly. The PDSA says scratching is not normal if it happens more than four to five times a day.
• Skin that the scratching has damaged. The PDSA lists self-inflicted wounds, bald patches, a rash or red skin, dark or thickened skin, and fur stained by saliva among the signs that come with regular scratching.
• Licking a paw until the fur is stained. The PDSA lists saliva staining, where the fur is stained by licking, as one of the signs to call about.

The PDSA also says itchy skin can make a dog feel miserable, which is a reason to speak to your vet rather than wait and hope it settles.

When to note it and watch

The PDSA's view is that most dogs scratch every now and then, but that excessive scratching indicates something is wrong.

So the occasional scratch, with no change to the skin and no other signs, is not on its own a go-now sign. What is worth doing is noting it, and watching whether it settles or becomes a habit.

The trouble with itch is that it comes and goes. A few days of licking, then nothing, then a few more. Weeks later it is hard to say when it started, how often it happened, or which paw it was, and that is the first question your vet will ask.

Why is my dog itching but has no fleas?

Only your vet can tell why: the PDSA says itchy skin is a very common problem in dogs and can be caused by many different conditions, some minor and some more serious. Seeing no fleas does not tell us which one it is.

What we can do is collect the things your vet is likely to want to see. Which parts of the body your dog scratches or licks. When it started. How often it happens. Whether the skin is changing. And dated photos of the paws and skin taken over weeks, so the change is visible rather than remembered.

Why does my dog keep licking his paws?

Only your vet can tell why, because paw licking has many possible explanations and the sources we checked do not let us say which one applies to your dog.

What is worth noting: which paws, how often, and whether the fur is stained, the skin looks red or bald, or the skin feels thickened. Dated photos help here, because paws are small and hair covers a lot. A photo from three weeks ago next to one from today shows what a description cannot.

When should I take my itchy dog to the vet?

Go straight away for any sign from the go-now list, such as sudden swelling, especially of the face, or a bite or sting followed by difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea or collapse.

If there is no go-now sign, call your vet the same day if your dog is scratching or nibbling more than normal, if the scratching happens more than four to five times a day, or if the skin is damaged, red, bald, thickened or stained.

The PDSA says it is important to talk to your vet and find the cause before trying any treatment at home. That is the safe order: the vet first, then whatever they suggest.

What to note for your vet

When itchy skin comes up at a visit, these details help your vet see the whole picture:

• Dated photos of the paws and skin, taken over weeks, so the change is visible rather than remembered.
• When it started, and how often it happens.
• Which paws, or which parts of the body, your dog licks or scratches.
• Any change to the skin, such as redness, bald patches, thickened or stained fur, or broken skin.
• Anything you spot between the toes, or in other hard to see places. RSPCA Australia notes that checking there helps to pick up scratches and inflamed areas that your vet may need to check.
• Any medicines your vet has given, with the dates.
• Anything else that changed around then, such as food, routine or a new outing.
• An allergy entry, only once a vet has named one.

You do not need to work out what any of it means. That is your vet's job. Your part is the noticing.

How My Furly helps you keep track

My Furly is a place to keep your dog's health story, so the pattern is there when you need it.

Dated photos over time. Keep photos of your dog's paws or skin on their record as you take them. Weeks later, you can look back at the earlier ones and see whether anything has changed. At the visit, you can open them on your phone to show your vet.

A dated entry as it happens. Add a dated entry when you notice scratching, licking, or a change to the skin. Symptoms sit on one timeline with vet visits, medicines and notes, so you can see how often it has happened, and since when.

Medicines, and an allergy once a vet has named one. If your vet has given your dog a medicine, you can add it, with the date, and an allergy once your vet has named one. Both sit on the same timeline as everything else.

Talk it through with Furly. Furly, the companion inside My Furly, knows your dog's own record. You can talk through what you have noticed, or ask how to put a question to your vet. Furly is not a vet, and is built to point you to one when it matters. It does not decide whether you should go, or how serious something is. You and your vet do.

A private link for your vet. When you choose to, you can create a private link with an access code and send it to your vet. They see your dog's timeline, vaccinations, weight and documents, so the conversation starts from the full picture. You stay in control, and you can replace the link at any time.

None of this replaces your vet, or a call to an emergency clinic. It means that when you do call, you have the answers to their first questions.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my dog itching but has no fleas?

Only your vet can tell why: the PDSA says itchy skin is a very common problem in dogs and can be caused by many different conditions. Note when it started, how often it happens, and keep dated photos of the paws and skin.

Why does my dog keep licking his paws?

Only your vet can tell why. Note which paws your dog licks, how often, and whether the fur is stained or the skin looks red, bald or thickened. Dated photos taken over weeks help you see whether it is changing.

When should I take my itchy dog to the vet?

Go straight away for sudden swelling, especially of the face, or an insect bite or sting followed by difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea or collapse. Call the same day if your dog is scratching or nibbling more than normal, if the scratching happens more than four to five times a day, or if the skin is damaged, red, bald, thickened or stained.

What should I do about my dog's itchy skin?

Do not try to work out the cause, and do not start anything at home before talking to your vet. The PDSA says to contact your vet if your dog has itchy skin, and that it is important to find the cause before trying any treatment at home. Start by noting what you see, with dates, and keeping photos.

Do I need to keep photos of my dog's itchy skin?

It helps. Take a dated photo of the paws and skin now and then, so you can see whether it is changing over weeks rather than relying on memory.

What should I tell my vet about my dog's itching?

Tell them when it started, how often it happens, which paws or parts of the body are affected, and what you have noticed about the skin. Mention any medicines your vet has given, and anything else that changed around then.

Sources

• The University of Sydney (University Veterinary Teaching Hospital). Signs of an emergency and FAQs. www.sydney.edu.au/vet-hospital/emergency/signs-and-symptoms-faqs.html. Accessed 19 October 2026.
• PDSA. Itchy skin in dogs. Published August 2020. www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/symptoms/itchy-skin-in-dogs. Accessed 19 October 2026.
• RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. Why and how should I groom my dog? Updated 19 January 2022. kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/why-and-how-should-i-groom-my-dog. Accessed 19 October 2026.

More on when to see a vet

For the full checklist of the signs that mean go now, call today, or note and watch, see When to take your dog to the vet: a calm checklist. For why your dog's own normal matters more than any general rule, see You know your pet best. Furly remembers the rest.. For how a shared history changes a vet visit, see Your vet, already up to speed before you sit down.

Start keeping your dog's health history at myfurly.ai.

A gentle note

Furly helps you organise and understand your pet's history, and prepares you for the vet. It is not a diagnosis tool and does not replace professional care. If something worries you, or your dog's itchy skin is not settling, speak to a licensed vet.