How do I get my dog to stop chewing its fur?

Question

I have a cocker spaniel, and the first few years we had him he was fine, but for the past year he's been chewing his paws or tail until the fur is gone, and then he starts to bled. I doubt age has anything to do with it but he's 7 years old. We got an allergy test from our vet and he's 3 away from living in a bubble. We changed his diet, and that seemed to help for a time. We even changed the shampoo that we used, but nothing seems to work anymore. My family and I check his paws regularly to make sure theres no dirt but we don't find anything out of the ordinary, does anyone have any advice for me?

Answer 1

I have a dog that chews his fur on his feet. My vet told me to give him one Benedryl a day. I disguise it within one of his treats... he never knows the difference and it stops the chewing. Benedryl can be expensive so I've tried the generic brand and it seems to work just as effectively.

Answer 2

It could also be a food allergy. How long have you been feeding his current food? My dog developed allergies after being on the same high quality food for 3 years. He started chewing his skin off. I tried a few other brands but went to raw after stinky bum issues. He looks amazing and no more chewing. You can also try bitter apple spray BUT I have never used it ON a dog so make sure that you can first. And be sure not to use it on open sores or really red irritated skin. I got some cream from my vet, not to stop the chewing but to prevent infection and help his skin heal. It was an antibiotic that is applied to the skin and absorbs in seconds so they cant lick it off. It's kind of like a gel that melts when it gets warm and you need to wear gloves so it does not seep into your skin. **Hot sauce works for objects, do not put it on the skin especially if it is irritated

Answer 3

Some dogs chew and lick out of boredom or develop a habit. Lick granuloma is one of the conditions

The cause of a lick granuloma is most often psychogenic and is considered to be a form of canine obsessive-compulsive disorder;but other causes include bacterial or fungal infections, demodectic mange, trauma causing nerve damage, allergies, or joint disease. Large breed dogs appear to be predisposed
Psychogenic causes include boredom or separation anxiety. Lick granulomas are especially seen in large active dogs left alone for long periods of time. The condition becomes a vicious cycle - erosion of the skin from licking leads to pain and itching, which leads to more licking. One theory is that excessive licking causes endorphin release, causing an addiction to licking. The lick granuloma often becomes infected with bacteria.
Treatment of the primary cause, if known, is essential. In psychogenic cases, dealing with psychological factors is most important. Factors should be identified such as being left alone all day, being confined, and changes in the household. Correction of these causes may include increased walks, avoiding confinement, and more interaction in the home.

Drugs may be used until behavior modification has had time to take effect. Antidepressants are most commonly used, including doxepin, amitriptyline, fluoxetine, and clomipramine. If the psychological factors are not corrected, the dog will usually relapse after the drugs are discontinued. Endorphin blockers such as naltrexone can be used to reduce addiction to licking, or endorphin substitutes such as hydrocodone may decrease the urge to lick
The lesion should also be treated. Licking can be prevented by the use of Elizabethan collars, bandages, or antilicking ointments (which are bad tasting). Topical medications such as corticosteroids or DMSO may be effective if used early. Small lesions may be injected with triamcinolone or methylprednisolone. Oral antibiotics are used to control infection. Surgery may be performed to remove whole lesions, but there is risk of continued self mutilation to the area afterwards. Other potential treatments include cryosurgery, laser, radiation therapy, and acupuncture.

Overall, lick granulomas are very difficult to treat, with control only being achieved in about 65 percent of cases.

Answer 4

it is a syndrom that is called separation anxiety.

when they are left alone these traits come out.

even around people it becomse a habit and they will continue to do it.

ask your vet about it. they have pills that you will give your dog on a daily basis that will help.

kind of like a relaxant. It will stop their tension and restlessness.

I wonder if these work on fingernail biters.

Answer 5

check for fleas as suggested above. if he is biting/chewing the same spots over and over again, what you can do is put a spray that should stop him from focusing on this spot. check the label first to make sure none of his allergies are listed on the ingredients.

good luck.

Answer 6

He may have flea allergies. Try Brewer's Yeast tablets in his food. We had a cocker mix when I was little that had the same problem. We gave him that and the problems were solved!

Also, keep him out of the grass... he could be allergic to grass!

Good luck!

Answer 7

does he have fleas? i work for a vet and see that a lot where they get fleas so bad they get allergys from them and losse their fur from it. if thats the case you got to get rid of the fleas completley and then use a special med from the vet to heal the area so talk with your vet about that. Im not sure how elese you could stop him unless you got him one of those collars to wear so he cant bite himself.

Answer 8

Need to treat him or her with some Hartz 2 in 1 hes scratching cause he itchs i used to use burned motor oil on my hunting dogs on hot spots...........go to Wal-Mart they got the stuff you need cant think of the name right now but its for Hot Spots and made by Hartz

Answer 9

did your vet only test for allergies ? if so i suggest you go back to that vet or get another vet. i'd have your dog checked for any parasites under his skin and also have that vet test for anything dermatologically related. for example chronic dry skin, eczema, or other skin related affliction similar to what we suffer from.

Answer 10

I don't think you could stop him. You can yell no to him or spank him a little everytime he does,,maybe that will help.