why is my dog????

Question

biting her nails on her front paws. They are spliting and look horrible. she also has them very short, and when I look at them she pulls them away like they hurt or are sore. Is there a reason that she is doing this and how can I stop it, is their a supplement or something that I can give her to make them healthier?? Please any help is appreciated, I am worried that she is going to make herself bleed, espically if I am at work I don't want anything to happen to her...
Oh and she will be 4 years old in March, and this just started happening with in the last 2 months. She is a mixed breed sheapard, husky and wolf... Please any suggestions??

she does get them cliped regulary...do you think that it could be pyschological?

Answer 1

Hi KJ !!
When a dog continually chews, bites or licks a certain area the problem could be medical, or it could be anxiety based.

Some dogs who suffer from separation anxiety may also lick certain areas of their body excessively when home alone. In other situations the lack of appropriate outlets for activity and no clear rules for interaction and attention may lead to anxiety and excessive licking.

If her nails cliped regulary .... perhaps cleaning a thorn wound or previously cut nail, needs to see the vet - in which case it is probably just 'doggie allergies' or dermatitus. Also, incase the toe nails is caused by a fungal or yeast infection, I would take her to the Vet about this too to be on the safe side

The vet will know what to do and may recommend a different dog food - one without corn meal in it, a cheap subsitute in dog food. Dogs cease lick their feet when allergy season comes.

Also, if you live in a place where salt or other chemicals are put on the sidewalks, and you walk your dog there, you might want some little booties for him.

Spraying the feet with a spritz bottle when he licks or bites it may help. Also, there is apple bitter sprayю. I am recommend a bath, though, after the apple bitter spray, due to the fact that it makes him a little sticky or smelling like apple bitter.

You could try purchasing some Calcium tablets from your nearest Herbal shop and see if this helps but if the nail is split, she will need to see the Vet.

Don't worry too much but do consult your Vet.
Jason Homan

Answer 2

my mother in law had a dog that was contsantly licking & biting it's front paws. This didn't start until the dog was quite older. It was a nervous problem. They eneded up giving it some sort of anti-depresssant or something similar.

Answer 3

My Golden Retriever is experiencing the same problems lately. His paws are all bruised looking. Everytime he bites them i tell him to stop, hes not doing it as much, im still sending him to the vet soon. You should as well. Especially if it hurts when you touch their paws

Answer 4

maybe she has hang nails. clip them when they appear to be splintering. Styptic Stick-can be purchased at any drug store-can be broken into a powder. If her quick starts to bleed-it will stop the bleeding. Try feeding her eggs-she needs more oil in her diet.

Answer 5

My dog duse the same thing as yours.. we asked the vet about it and its a habbit..same as us people with smokeing and biteing are nails. theres no why to stop them from doing it..just when you see your dog doing it get after him/her about it and make it stop.

Answer 6

i dont have a dog but i heard on the news this is a symptm of allergies. it goes along with excessive shedding, im not sure about the rest but im sure you can look it up

Answer 7

It can be seperation anxiety, arthritis, dirt, a number of things. My dog does the same thing when her arthritis acts up, we give her one baby aspirin and it helps.

Answer 8

This could be a physical or psychological issue. I would consult with your vet.

Answer 9

you could try putting something bitter or something that tastes bad on the dog's nails so she stops

Answer 10

do you clip her nails? i noticed my dog was biting her nails cause i was scared to clip em. when i learned how and it wasnt hard she quit. good luck