Biting Paws

[Skyfire]

I've noticed that my dog Deeogee has been biting his paws a lot. He doesn't have fleas, so I'm not sure why he's doing it.

I thought it might be something with his nails, but his nails were clipped not that long ago.

[Karen]

He may be itching because of allergies, it's a bad time of year for pollen allergies, at least here in the Northeast ... check his ears and paws and make sure nothing looks inflamed or infected to be sure.

[Freedom]

Allergies.

Could be food, environmental indoors or outdoors.

Bichons are prone to allergies, I have 2 nibbling paws just now. One is definitely from an outdoor source. The other one, I am still trying to figure out the source of the problem.

You can give the dog 1/2 tablet of Benadryl if the dog is 10 pounds or more in weight. It does help give the pup some relief, and oddly, does not make them sleepy as it does me!

[pomtzu]

Yup - definitely allergies of some sort. I had a Lhasa years ago that licked and chewed his paws year round, and we never did establish just what he was allergic to. I always said he just had a foot fetish!

[emc]

Could also be a habit, the way people bite their nails. My chihuahua is always licking her paws and there's nothing we can see that's wrong with them.

[lisahumphreys882]

Yeah pretty much what everyone else has said it's allergies.

My dog does the same and he does it every time around this time of year. He bites and bites and leaves wet marks on the couch, bed, etc. There are pills I think that you can get from the vet. We haven't gotten around to getting them yet but you can get them from the vet.

[Freedom]

Try increasing Vitamin E, which helps with healthy skin and coat.

Add this daily to the meal:
- finely chop one stick of broccoli (the fine head bits and a bit of stem; NOT a whole HEAD!)
- teaspoon of unsalted sunflower seeds
- one egg (the yolk is high in Vit. E). You can scramble it and put it over the broccoli, as some pups won't eat the broccoli, lol.

Not a cure, but should help.

When the dog is scratching, apply Gold Bond Extra strength medicated powder. This will alleviate the itch immediately, so the dog won't scratch till bleeding.

[Skyfire]

Just to make sure it wasn't his nails or fleas that was bugging him, I took him to get his nails clipped again, because they had gotten longer, and also gave him a flea bath. In the end, he still chews his paws.

But, the suggestions that everyone gave has given me some info on what it may be. It may very well be allergies. He's an indoor dog, but he still gets taken for walks outside.

I'll try your option, Freedom, and see if it changes anything.

Thanks everyone.

[luvofallhorses]

What are you feeding your pup? Sometimes if a food has corn in it, it could contribute to allergies.

[Skyfire]

He used to be given Pedigree, but he didn't like it, so we switched to Purina Dog Chow. He seems to really like that.

[akitrix]

Wash his feet when he comes in the house, also his belly and snout. Dogs manifest allergies by licking their feet, they can also do it out of stress or boredom. Feed a corn & grain free food, not found in supermarkets, check with your vet for dosage of Benadryl. If it's seasonal allergy then it should pass in about a month.