How do I get my dog to stop constantly chewing on herself?

Question

My dog will not stop chewing on her lower backside. She has been doing this for quite sometime, and now has hotspots and sores. I changed her diet to all natural organic food, and she has been on that for a month now. This was suggested by the vet thinking that maybe she was having food allergies, which is common in dogs. However this isn't working. Are there special vitamins or medicines I could give her? Anything I could give her immediatley to start healing those sores?

Answer 1

are you sure it is food related? does she get enough exercise every day? get a second opinion from another vet.

Answer 2

I once had an elderly lady for a friend. She had a wonderful little dog. A mix of some sort. She had the dog trained well and it behaved very well. Learn here https://tr.im/SIjnC

She kept an uncovered candy dish on her coffee table with candy in it. The dog was forbidden to eat the candy. When she was in the room observing the dog he did not even appear to notice the candy. One day while she was in her dinning room she happened to look in a mirror and could see her dog in the living room. He did not know he was being watched. For several minutes he was sitting in front of the candy bowl staring at the candy. Finally he reached in and took one. He placed it on the table and stared at it, he woofed at it. He stared some more, licked his chops and PUT IT BACK in the bowl and walked away. Did he want the candy, oh yeah. Did he eat it? Nope. They can be trained that well but most, I'll admit, are not trained that well. When I was a young boy, maybe 5 years old. We had a german shepherd. He was very well trained also. My mom could leave food unattended on the table, no problem. She would open the oven door and set a pan roast beef or roast chicken on the door to cool. No problem. He would not touch it, watched or not. But butter? Whole other story. You leave a stick of butter anywhere he could reach and it was gone. He was a large shepherd so there were not many places he could not reach. Really, I think the number of dogs trained to the point they will leave food alone when not being supervised is very small indeed.
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Now if we are talking obedience training, not food grubbing, that is a different story. Way back when I was first learning obedience training one of the final exercises was to put our dogs in a down/stay and not only leave the room but leave the building for 15 minutes. The only person that stayed was our trainer, not the owners. Most of the dogs in my class did not break their stay, which would be an automatic fail. I'm happy to report my dog was one of the ones that passed.

Answer 3

Put vinegar on the legs. This will definitely stop the biting, at least temporarily. But it sound like your dog has other issues other than diet. Food allergies are not as common in dogs as Vets will tell you. They are in it for the money, that is why they tell you that. They are the ones that usually sell the "organic" foods. Sounds like you need to check properly for fleas. Sometimes the vinegar will work on that too. It did on my cats.

Answer 4

I had the exact same issue with my basset! I was spending so much money at the vet--PLUS the cost of antibiotics and steroids as well! After the itching, and the hot spots (Those are what you described) he began to get ear infections! We'd be on a 10 day antibiotic routine, on the eleventh day--wham, back again! I started looking at the food I was giving him. What I used had lots of corn in it--artificial color and flavor! After a LOT of Research, I found that corn is one of the biggest allergy triggers--and what is the signs of allergies? Scratching when there are no fleas, excessive shedding, and ear infections! I came across Nutro dog food- It was all natural, no corn, no artificial color, and actually had a 100% guarantee--even for taste! After about the second bag, the scratching, hot spots and ear infections were gone!!!! I was so impressed, I switched my cat to it as well! I am not saying it is a cure all, but I know since my pets have been on Nutro, I have not had to take them to the vet for anything other than a well visit! You can get it in most larger pet stores, as well a independent smaller pet stores (Not grocery stores or discount chains) And watch the so-called vet food--like Science diet--that actually has corn in it--even the allergy formula, plus it is very expensive! good luck!

Answer 5

take her to the vet again. the vet can conduct food allergy tests and any other allergy tests, as well as perscribing something to clear up the sores. i wouldnt reccomend trying things people suggest who arent vets because if ur dog is allergic to things then it is quite possible she will be allergic to creams and oils etc too. wait until ur vet does some tests, just to be safe. i had a dog once who was allergic to fleas and had the same symtoms. my friend had a pooch who is allergic to certian types of shampoo. it could also be some of the cleaning products u use around the house.
i hope ur little sweetie feels better soon! hope i was able to help! =)

Answer 6

Organic may not be the problem. Make sure your dog is getting the needed vitamins and oils necessary to keep their coat moist. Chewing is a sign of dry skin and dry skin can be adjusted through diet or through supplements of oils and vitamins. .

Answer 7

Take your dog to the vet don't try to help your dog by your self cause you never know what you gave your dog that made her start chewing on herself so I would take her to the vet if I were you.

Answer 8

You should contact the vet again. They have things for hot spots. It may just be nerves. If so, you may have to get some melds that may calm her down for a bit until you can figure out what is making her nervous.

Answer 9

Ask your veterinarian about Benadryl. If it's allergies, that should help with the itchiness.

Answer 10

it should be allergy. try giving anti allergic tablets and do consult with Vet.