Anya was fine all day and we went for our usual nighttime walk. 20 minutes in, she suddenly yanked me off the path to sit on the grass to gnaw at her back paw. After she was done, we kept walking, and she did it again a minute or two later. After 2 or 3 of this, I gave up on our walk and turned for her home. Every 20 feet or so, she would stop to chew the paw. I tried checking it on the path to see if a stick or rock had gotten in the pad and didn't feel anything.

I got her home and checked the paw in good light, and I can't see anything wrong. But she keeps licking and chewing at the paw, and now if I go to reach for it she yelps before I can even pick it up (she is doing this now for all 4 paws).

She's also panting more than usual.

I put her in the tub to wash the feet to see if anything got stuck and could be rinsed away, but she's still nibbling.

Any idea what this could be? I'm at a loss. She's walking normally and putting weight on all 4 feet (at least for a few minutes until she sits and chews again).

If she doesn't settle in a few hours I'll take her to the emergency vet, but just wanted to see if anyone had some thoughts or if I'm completely overreacting.

Doggy allergy maybe? Insect bite?

Insect bite is a possibility but I would think eventually there would be some sort of sign, like a lil redness, or a little swelling, something like that. Could be a thorn or something that broke off but the point is still under her skin? Eventually that would show a sign as well, like a bit of swelling. Hope you find out what it is!

Thanks. I think I panicked. She's laying next to me and is calm, and she's letting me rub her paws and put pressure on the pads without any reaction at all (before she would yelp if I even reached).

I think she likely got something stuck or got bit, and the bath did help get it out. I'm still keeping an eye on her, but she seems back to normal.

My dog-mom anxiety always makes me crazy! I worry so much for my baby girl

Awwww, good, I hope it's nothing