paw chewing

[jane]

I have a 9 year old golden retriever who is often chewing at all 4 paws.

The vet has put her on Vanectyl(steriod) which helps, but isn't safe to use on a regular basis. I am now on my 4th prescription of Vanectyl. I need to find out why she is chewing and what I can do to stop/relieve her itchy feet.

Bitter Apple spray will detour the chewing, but what is causing this daily discomfort with my dog.

Having wet feet from swimming or even wet grass aggrevates her condition. Her thyroid test was normal.

Anyone else have this problem? What can I do?

Thanks!

[Carolina]

Hi Jane,
My mother has a little Maltesex that CONSTANTLY chews his feet. It's at the point now where his feet are stained brown. He has no allergies, skin condition etc. It's a behaviour problem that is causing him to constantly lick and chew his feet. Is she itchy anywhere else? Certain plants/weeds can cause irritation to dogs (eg Wandering Dew). Some dogs can have allergies to the food they eat, fleas, boredom or it's a behaviour that can develop when they're older dogs.
Perhaps not letting her go swimming for the time being and have her wear dog boots (yes, they actually sell them!) when she's on wet grass. Remeber to remove them so her feet 'can breathe'. Have you tried to distract her when she's chewing at her feet? Could it be an attention seeking behaviour? Have her wear a special bucket (you can buy these at your vet - Elizabethan Collar) so that there is no chance of her gaining access to her feet and giving her skin time to heal. Like a mosquito bite, it feels good to scratch but then gets more itchy and turns into a cycle.
I hope this has helped.

[prolibertate]

Jane, it could be anything from a food allergy to a household/outside contaminant to a behavior issue - or even a combination of things. As a process of elimination, I'd check anything new that's been introduced to the dog, house or outside; for example any new food (dog or human) or dog treats she's been getting; any new household floor cleaners, or lawn sprays, etc. Always make sure her feet stay dry; the boots Carolina mentioned may be a good solution for that; otherwise make sure you wipe her feet whenever they get wet and try to keep them from getting wet whenever possible. If none of these seem to be the problem, then you might want to see a reputable behaviorist as it could be an anxiety issue causing her to bite her feet. Best of luck to you and your dog.

[jane]

Thank you both for your quick replies! Shelby has had this paw chewing on and off for 2 years. Seems to be much less during the winter with the snow.

We live on the water, Georgian Bay-Great Lakes- so hard to keep her out of the water!

Am investigating her food as a possibility. Following her walk today she started in on the chewing as it had been raining earlier and her feet were wet. Gave her a Benedryl with her breakfast instead of Vanectyl today. Vet recommended. It hasn't worked well in the past, but I can't keep up the Vanectyl due to possible liver damage.

Never ending and quite frustrating to watch the poor thing chew away. She will stop when you ask her, so maybe it is a habit she has developed and not allergies??????

Thanks so much again.
Jane

[prolibertate]

Jane...it could have become a habit, though it could still be something else that's also causing it. I found some links that may offer your some good advice (see below). One thing to look for is if this chewing happens only during or after certain activities; also, when her feet get wet she may be picking up soemthing from the moisture and that's causing her chewing, e.g. salty water, pesticides in the grass, etc. Or, as one link suggested, her feet itch as they try to heal and that causes more chewing.

DogChannel.com

Scott's Weed & Feed:* Not good for dogs?

Golden Retrievers: Paw chewing

Print Page - dog keeps biting paw!

Dog Allergies Can Cause Paw Chewing

[kuritsa18]

Have you checked for arthritis? a change in whether can make the arthritis act up. My boyfriends parents have an old dog who has arthritis and she will chew her paws when it bothers her. They had to put a cone on her to stop her because it became really bad. They stopped using it after they took her to the vet and found out what it was though.

[jane]

Great web sites- thank you Prolibertate! Have changed her food to a holistic type, also added omega 3-6-9 supplements to her food. Time will tell, but hopefully we are heading in the right direction.

Have not needed to give Shelby Vanectyl for 5 days!!! The chewing of her paws is getting less often/severe.

I believe it might be her diet as the websites you prvided also mentioned loss of fur/extreme shedding which has also happened recently!!!!!!

Hopefully we are on the right tract. Her paw fur (between the pads) has changed colour to a dark brown/reddish from all the chewing.

Jane

[prolibertate]

Jane, that sounds really good! Hopefully things will just get better from now on.

Just as a note, one of the dogs in our class this weekend has been losing his fur around his eyes; turns out it's a food allergy. It sounds like a bunch of animals go through this and the culprits can be wheat, gluten, etc....just like some of us humans

Has the vet suggested anything to put on her paws to help them heel? Also, the little booties they have for dogs might help to prevent any further chewing.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

[jane]

My dog has been on her new food for about 6 weeks. She has completely stopped chewing at her feet. And did so shortly after switching foods. Her coat is back to being very soft and thick.

It must of been an allergy. The new food does not contain any wheat, corn, gluten or additives. The omega 3-6-9 supplements have also improved her coat and well being.

What a huge improvement.

[Mark_stimpo]

Hi i also have this problem with my staffie, could it be something to do with nails??