I have a 5-year-old Maltese and for years he constantly bites at his claws (similar to a person biting their nails). Does anyone know why he does this?
2007-11-20 15:59:47 · 8 answers · asked by Jim 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Allergies. Try switching foods around, or talk to a vet about a trial run of antihistamine or antiinflammatory like prednisone.
2007-11-20 16:14:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allergies or things among his walking surface that aggravates him. Most likely allergies. I bet his feet and muzzle are rust colored. If so, allergies. At five years of age too, his coat is making a change and he may have developed some allergies as well. A visit to the vet and perhaps a change in diet should do the trick.
2007-11-21 00:50:04 · answer #2 · answered by midnightdealer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grooming... if he get's daily walks on concrete sidewalk or pavement he probably shouldn't do it... if he gets his daily exercise on soft ground he's probably grooming... and if he doesn't have a daily routine that wears his nails down on concrete or results in mud in the claws they are growing too long and hurt him to walk on them.
Before we psychoanalyze the Maltese lets realize that most nail biting humans developed the habit because their parents were neglect in grooming the child and it became a habit... it's not a neuroses.
2007-11-21 00:28:05 · answer #3 · answered by Hk9 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's possible that something is present that makes him feel irritated and want to bite. Does he also scratch his skin? If so, it's highly possible that he has allergies. All sorts of allergies are possible. If he's not hurting himself, and he doesn't have any skin infections, I guess it is ok. If he constantly scratches himself to raw, and has hot spots, and his paws are all licked to brownish color, it is better to consult a veterinarian for more professional assistance.
2007-11-21 00:29:02 · answer #4 · answered by seaweedkick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Along with potentially needing to trim nails I find that if I fail to trim the hair around my dogs paws, they will start chewing on them. They always have stopped after I get the scissors out and trim. If the hair grows between their toes, it will start to spread their paws out and really irritates them.
Before you worry too much, I suggest you trim their nails and the hair around their paws and between their toes. This alone will probably take care of the problem
2007-11-21 01:03:16 · answer #5 · answered by advnturer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is either very bored or his claws are too long. Clip his claws and take him for walks a minimum of twice a day.
2007-11-21 09:10:49 · answer #6 · answered by spock070460 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There could be many reasons. Do you leave him alone for long hours? Is there some other pet or someone in the household that bothers him? He could be sick too.
2007-11-21 00:04:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he might be hurt check his paw for any injury it could even be a splinter or something like that
2007-11-21 00:05:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋