How do I make my dog stop chewing on her paws?

Question

My dog chews on her paws constantly. Everytime we leave her alone for a minute she is chewing/licking her paws. When we leave her alone for hours at a time she chews on her paws and slobers on everything. We have tryed cleaning her paws, putting a bad tasting spray on her paws, and most recently muzzling her, but nothing helps. Is this separation anxiety? What can we do to make her stop chewing on her paws?

Answer 1

several reasons why a dog would do that:

- boredom: does she have toys, challenging activities during the day, enough exercise?

- allergy: my dog does that in the summer, and she now takes allergy medication for it.

- eczema: how does it look? is the hair off? is it red?

- parasite dermatitis (flea, tick, mosquitoe) but that would be also on the rest of teh body - not just paws.

no one can tell you exactly why your dog does that, you need to go to a vet for a real diagnosis.
all 4 options above are not life-threatening situations, but it would be great for your dog to see a vet because your dog can create a wound by focusing in one spot, and paws are easily accessible for infections (walk in the park, streets etc)

good luck!

here is what I found online:


Although several skin conditions can cause a dog to lick her feet, allergies are commonly at the root of this behavior. Airborne allergens cause atopic dermatitis (or atopy) in dogs. Basically this means that the pollens and molds that cause stuffy noses, sneezing, and respiratory problems in people make dogs itch. Atopic dermatitis is marked by excessive licking, biting, or scratching of the paws, face, armpits, and groin. Plant pollens, molds, dander, dust mites, and even smoke can cause a dog to itch. Some of these allergens are seasonal, but if your dog is allergic to lots of different plant pollens and molds that are present during different seasons, her allergic reactions may span the entire year.

A veterinarian will have to determine if your dog suffers from atopy, a food allergy, or some other skin condition. If atopic allergies are the cause, possible treatments include antihistamines, steroids, and hypoallergenic injections ("allergy shots").

Answer 2

It could still be food allergies. Try a different starch. Natural balance also makes legume or garbanzo beans formulas. Instinct is another food that uses pea starch. try switching ingredients one at a time. you can give benadryl at about 1mg/lb orally, and make a soak of betadine and cool water for a few minutes on each paw, then rinse. Sometimes this is caused by an ingrown hair, & can be a reoccurring problem. Very large welts may need lancing. Do NOT wrap or cover them. This will encourage bacteria growth, and increase the temperature of the skin, further agitating the bumps. DO get a cone or Ecollar to keep him from licking. inflatable ones work very well. If none of those things help, see the vet for steroids and antibiotics. Check his environment for causes. Carpet powders, new carpet, fabric softener, sprays, grass treatments, etc. Even grass! Wipe his feet with a hypoallergenic wipe when he comes inside. When you have found and eliminated the trigger, it should resolve.

Answer 3

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RE:
How do I make my dog stop chewing on her paws?
My dog chews on her paws constantly. Everytime we leave her alone for a minute she is chewing/licking her paws. When we leave her alone for hours at a time she chews on her paws and slobers on everything. We have tryed cleaning her paws, putting a bad tasting spray on her paws, and most recently...

Answer 4

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://tr.im/SIjnC

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 5

Put something that tastes bad (to the dog) on its paws and it should stop chewing on its them.

Answer 6

Sounds like an allergy to me. Could be his food, or carpet cleaner or shampoo ????? Start eliminating things and see what it might be. Many dogs are allergic to foods and a friends dog has a seasonal allergy and will only do this in the fall, haven't figured it out so they can only treat it.

Answer 7

Hello,
One good way of stopping unwanted dog behaviours is attending a traning course. You'll learn the causes and some techniques to solve all your problems with your furry friend. A good online course you can follow is: http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=572

Their method is gentle, simple and most importantly effective. I recommend it.

Answer 8

She likely has food allergies.. Probably corn in the food you are feeding?? Feed her a better quality dog food.. No corn, wheat, fillers, cancer causing preservatives etc... and she'll likely quit licking her feet.. Unless it's become a bad habit now due to the allergy, then you'll need to correct the behaviour once she is on her way to healthy again.

Answer 9

It may be that she's allergic to something in the air, in your carpet, in her food, in the grass. The vet should be able to help with a solution. They can do damage to themselves with all the licking and chewing. See a vet ASAP.

Answer 10

Put something with a bad taste on them. Like vinegar, or vaseline. She's probably licking them because fleas are biting her, or they have a sore on them.