Why does my dogs chew on her feet?

Question

I own two Boxers. The one with the problem is about 5 or 6 years old. (She was rescued so we aren't sure.) Whenever we aren't home she chews on the bottoms of her feet and they are starting to turn raw. We give her plenty of toys to play with and our other dogs should be keeping her company so I don't know why she does it!

Does anybody else have this problem? Is it a nervous problem or just a bad habit?

She didn't start doing this until she was around 2. We got her when she was a puppy and she didn't do then. I don't think she's allegic to grass because she eats grass all the time and that doesn't seem to hurt her. The vet doesn't know what it is either.

Answer 1

This could be a obcessive compulsive disorder, which means that its psychological. My dog had this problem and it only developed when she was approx. 10 yrs. old, I do think she was slightly bored at that age, she had arthritis and so she was laying down nost of the time so my dog may have had it out of boredom?
Thisis a similar problem to tail biting, dogs will bite their tail to teh point of amputating it...so you sould see your vet and a dog behaviourist ASAP

Answer 2

She has too much energy. Before you go out for work in the morning then take her for a walk or something.
My professional trainer for my pup said that if they start to chew the bottomes of their feet, they have way too much energy going up inside. You need to exercise her and get all that energy out. Yes, she has toys, but the energy level goes down when they chew them :o)

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Answer 3

Anxiety. I know a dog that was rescued that does this as well, when she is home alone she chews her feet. try to be home more if possible, or have someone she knows come by during the time you are away.

Answer 4

I used to artwork contained in the flooring marketplace and that i'm a canines proprietor. They used to say that the dogs were fascinated in the scent of the glue they used to placed the carpet down. Is she chewing at a seam contained in the room. If no longer she might want to correctly have an interest in another scent contained in the generating of the carpet or pad itself. you want to objective to get her interest off it even as she starts to bite. Or like the previous posts locate something to spray there that smells or tastes undesirable.

Answer 5

No....Dogs don't chew themselves naturally. There is some sort of irritation. It could be allergies, a stone or anxiety. Take her to the vet. There are measures they can recommend to help your dog.

Answer 6

She might have an allergic reaction to something. My boxer was allergic to the grass and did the same thing. But it also could be she doesn't like being alone.

Answer 7

My neighbor has a Patterdale Terrier that does this. I think maybe it's allergies to the grass, or something in the grass, but I'm no expert.

Answer 8

I read in a book recently that chewing their feet can be a symptom of anal gland problems, as unrelated as those two things sound!

The vet can fix that for you.

Answer 9

My boxer does this aw well. The vet said it could be that she is bored.

Answer 10

Its just what a dog naturally does. Dogs chew on themselves bacause its a natural instinct.