My dog chews on her feet

[krazykate]

My brown lab, MollyBrownBear constantly chews on her paws. The vet said she has allergies. I have tried all kinds of dry dog food. I even bought the food from the vet. She was put on steroids and once they are done, she goes right back to chewing on her paws. I have tried putting on the bitter stuff to discourage her, but it really doesn't work. I have also tried putting on coritsone cream on her paws.

Help, I don't know what to do next besides giving $$$$ to the vet.

Thank you.:shrug7:

[Doglover8180]

My retriever did the same thing - chewed her paw (same paw each time) until it was raw - no fur - she just had a pink irritated patch of skin... then she kept chewing on it cause it was so irritated... I finally used this purple stuff (that's often used on cattle and such) I can't remember the name of it - put that on her paws for a few days (it will stain anything it touches though before it dries so be careful) but after a few treatments of that - she quit chewing on the paw and it has begun to heal over.... I will try and figure out what the name of that is. Does anyone else know what it's called?

[jeweltea]

Mine does it too but not as bad as he used to. The vet told me he had allergies and to wash off his feet a lot. Also I only use a hypo-allergenic shampoo (from Petsmart) on him which seems to work. I give him 1/2 a claritan pill everyday before bed (mine is a small dog so that might need to be adjusted) and that helps but I would discuss that with your vet. I feed him Nutro-max. He was on Iams but I think the Nutro seems to help with the allergies. I am not sure what works but doing all of the above has really helped my dog.

Also make sure your dog doesn't have fleas because many dogs are really allergic to flea bites (mine was) but now he doesn't have fleas.

[couponsmakecents]

My dal used to do the same thing and it was food allergies. I finally got to the point of making his food from scratch every other day and getting a RX pet food from purina. I also put one of those cone on him to keep him from chewing all the time. But check for fleas too.

[MrsAlias]

CORN ALLERGY! Our Beagle chews his paws also... hes actually chewing the hair between the pads on his paws. There is no damage to this paws or anything, he just bites at them a few times a day.

Honestly... we dont do anything about it. The vet tired to tell us we needed this dog food, its 80 bucks for 20 lbs.. I THINK NOT!

[twomoms]

My black lab is constantlly chewing, or licking his feet, its the most annoying noise EVER especially at 3 am, I have never heard of a corn allergy I will look into it. He eats Beneful right now maybe I will switch it and see if that works.

[kawakii]

Your dog most likely has a a grain allergy or a grain and protein allergy, most dogs do not need or do well with grains in their food. Grains such as corn as a byproduct for dogs, they have no real benefit. You need to change your dog to a food that contains no grains or is grain free.

Petco sells a few no grain food, called Wellness and it also has fish within it which will soothe and lessen itchiness and shedding. It is absolutely not good to not fix the problem as the biting and licking of paws will lead to bigger problems such as yeast infection between toes, etc... not pleasent. It is also like having poision ivy for us --always itchy, not something you want your dog going through all the time. This is a great food, start feeding a grain free food and give it a few weeks and you'll see a difference.

Here is a link:

http://www.petco.com/product/110682/Wellness-Simple-Solutions-Rice-and-Salmon-Dry-Dog-Food.aspx?CoreCat=DogFlink_Allergy

[motherofmolly]

my lab does this too...he also chews on his legs...but he only does this out of boredom. if it one of those rainy days especially when he just didnt get as much activity as needed, then he chews....
it can be allergies, nerves, or boredom....
i would try to find a thick animal safe creme to put on it that will help heal and stop him from biting that particular area

[mainelycoupons]

Not all wellness is grain free, in fact most of them have grains. I'm not actually sure they sell a grain free although I haven't paid attention to a couple of the new lines, I recall the last one I read about being single protein not grain free.

It is most likely a grain or protein allergy. Beneful has very low nutritional substance, although it is a "nutritionally complete food" according to the governing bodies for such things. Its the difference between filet mignon and hotdogs.

I would look into a couple single protein source foods or meatless foods. You can also make your own for a bit using boiled chicken/meat and grains. Feed one at a time for a day or so. The most likely allergens are chicken corn and wheat. Even switching to a lamb and rice or turkey and rice kibble could eliminate the issues.

Purina normally has coupons for most of their foods, including ProPlan sold at Petco.They make a few different kibble choices not normally seen, especially in their selects varieties (albeit a bit more expensive still not as much as Wellness).

Try to think back if your dog was ever not chewing their feet and what they were eating at the time, or if it was a time of year. My lab get seasonal allergies bad in the fall. He gets crusties in his eyes which is the only real symptom but it can be pretty bad if he's been outside alot. Alot of dogs get them in the spring/summer when things bloom.

It may take awhile and some more expensive food (although probably not prescription) but I would never shirk buying what would make my dog comfortable and happy just because it was expensive or had no coupons. I can't imagine being itchy all the time and wouldn't want someone else to deal with it either.

[meems]

My Golden had that..allergic to grass...wash frequently as others said...

[kval07]

What do you feed your dog? I might try changing around your dog's food. I feed my boys Natural Balance and they both do very well on it. It's around $11-$14 per 5lb bag at Petco. Here is a link (http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/allergy.html)to their allergy formula foods. Call and or email the company and ask for their allergy formula samples. Right now, Petco has the 5lb bags on sale for $3 off.

When I was searching for a higher quality food to feed Chester, they sent me samples. I put it out in a separate bowl, and Chester quit Iams cold turkey. I ended up throwing it out because he would no longer go near it. :shrug7:

If Natural Balance doesn't help, try some other higher quality brands. You do get what you pay for. You wouldn't eat McDonald's and Burger King every day, would you? :wink7:

And paying for cheap dog food might cost you more in the long run health-wise. I really feel that if you have pets but aren't willing to pay money to prevent or fix health problems, you shouldn't have them in the first place. Animals can't fend for themselves, and if you can't be a good advocate for their health and safety, well, you know where I'm going. (Not you personally because I don't know what you feed, but to people in general.)


Be aware that some dog food manufacturers preserve their foods containing fish meal and ocean meal with ethoxyquin. If you email a dog food company and ask, they will say no. They don't have to add it to the ingredient list because it is added prior to them getting it. There is a lot of debate as to whether or not ethoxyquin harms dogs, and the FDA isn't totally on board with banning it yet. But there's enough chatter for me to stay away from any food with fish and ocean meal in it. Just something to think about.

[kawakii]

Not all wellness is grain free, in fact most of them have grains. I'm not actually sure they sell a grain free although I haven't paid attention to a couple of the new lines, I recall the last one I read about being single protein not grain free.




Wellness has moved onto to making a grain free formula the one I linked to have no corn, soy, etc... also Wellness now makes Wellness Core. I only used them as an example as it is easily accessible at Petco. We personally feed a grain free food named Orijen, 6 Fish. Wellness is a good company and Petco has made them more accessible now.

I also agree what you feed your Pet impacts their life--our vet explained it pretty simply low end dogs foods full of filler, grains, and chemicals are like eat Mcdonald's every day for you and me. Leads to health problems. It's why we don't coupon for dog food normally since the higher end foods don't have a lot of coupons. I may pay more now but I believe I'll have a healthier happier dog.

[crazybmb]

My pup also had allergies just like yours. When we asked the vet, waiting for the answer with bated breath......she just said Benadryl......we could also use a generic version. Worked like a charm. But some dogs can't handle too much though.

[coupongirl69]

Boredom I think is the big problem, this is common in large breed dog that need to be active such as labs, shepherds, dobermans, I bet if you get your dog out and wear him or her out everyday once a day you'll find they won't eat on their legs and feet.
My Belgian Malinoise does the same thing when he's bored and it's so annoying. And he knows that I don't like it because when I turn and look at him he stops and looks back like what, I'm not doing anything. It's so funny.

[Rene S]

You should read the book "Pet Allergies" by Alfred J. Plechner and Martin Zucker. It describes case after case of pets who have similar problems. They switch the diet to grain free or homemade and the problem goes away. You could also consider a raw diet. Several are available commercially now.

[cblanchard76]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dd-7hFwB2ls/SkzKdrfLzzI/AAAAAAAAADA/zAD6udDwfrI/s400/Boating+061209+001.JPG
I have a pure bread American Bull dog. She has suffered several times with Allergies. I was bringing her to a specialist once a montha nd she was on special food. My bill was over $500 3 months in a row with no relief. So I said the heck with it and let her be. It eventually stopped however It does come back every now and then. She is 7 and at certain times of the year it acts up. She licks her paws until the are stained purple. They're sore to her as well. She hasn't had it in a while last time we put socks on her feet and treated them with Neosporin to help her. They stink too. The last Dr said it's some type of yeast infection that builds up and is why she keeps licking. I think it my be an allergy that starts the licking then the infection which keeps it going. There is nothing worst then not knowing how to help a loved one. My dog is my second child, I love her to death that was why I was willing to spend the money when needed however I never got any results, so just be careful before you start shelling out $'s. We were driving over and hour and a half one way to see the specialist as well. All and all she's doing much better and when it acts up we just watch her before it gets to bad and infected.

[CLN123]

I would try first washing and rinsing the paw really good, then putting a sock over the paws. This would help if she was allergic to the grass or something else she is walking on. The sock would also help protect her paw somewhat if she was scratching. The same as putting a mitten over a babies hand. I would also look into the grain free food thing as mentioned by PP. You could also make sure she has toys to chew on if it is boredom. Good luck, I know we all love our pets.

I was going to say you could also get a little velcro strip to keep the sock on.

[shaeharbin]

Our black lab used to chew on her legs and feet...It was never so bad that she got raw so I never really thought about it. I never thought about allergies in dogs!

[~~Who,Me?~~]

My brown lab, MollyBrownBear constantly chews on her paws. The vet said she has allergies. I have tried all kinds of dry dog food. I even bought the food from the vet. She was put on steroids and once they are done, she goes right back to chewing on her paws. I have tried putting on the bitter stuff to discourage her, but it really doesn't work. I have also tried putting on coritsone cream on her paws.

Help, I don't know what to do next besides giving $$$$ to the vet.

Thank you.:shrug7:

Labs are notorious for having skin/allergy problems. I would keep trying different foods until you find a protein source that reduces the reactions. There are now many different things available from both Hill's and Eukanuba. Pred is not good for a dog long term; steroids are hard on the body (liver). Have you asked about an antihistamine? What about a topical steroid?

[wisewallet]

My retriever did the same thing - chewed her paw (same paw each time) until it was raw - no fur - she just had a pink irritated patch of skin... then she kept chewing on it cause it was so irritated... I finally used this purple stuff (that's often used on cattle and such) I can't remember the name of it - put that on her paws for a few days (it will stain anything it touches though before it dries so be careful) but after a few treatments of that - she quit chewing on the paw and it has begun to heal over.... I will try and figure out what the name of that is. Does anyone else know what it's called?


I think the
"purple stuff" may have been "Gentian Violet" great stuff... look it up

[motherofmolly]

Boredom I think is the big problem, this is common in large breed dog that need to be active such as labs, shepherds, dobermans, I bet if you get your dog out and wear him or her out everyday once a day you'll find they won't eat on their legs and feet.
My Belgian Malinoise does the same thing when he's bored and it's so annoying. And he knows that I don't like it because when I turn and look at him he stops and looks back like what, I'm not doing anything. It's so funny.


oh my gosh you have a malinois too??? i have one and yes he does it too. he isnt as active as he use to be but i still let him get out in the yard. he has a lab friend and they both get the boredom chews every once in a while.

[2Pups]

I just had to post. My dog (lab too) also does this. The vet actually said he has OCD, yes, obsessive compulsive disorder!!!! He can't stop. He would lick them until they were red and raw and he was limping on them.

We have tried different foods-some with no corn. That did not work for us. SO.... I bought him these embarassing mittens for his paws. I got them at Petco for $30. He wears them everyday while we are at work. It works great. (My husband and I also play a game called "Daily Mitten Count." We each guess how many mittens will be on him we I get home. He usually manages to get one of them off each day. :)

Hope that helps!!

[msimpkins]

Our dogs chew on their paws and skin too from allergies. Our vet recommended 1/2 Generic Claratin. It seems to work wonders. If you have a dog that has chewed a bald patch on his/her skin, you can brew some black tea, let is cool to room temperature and then apply to the skin with a paper towel. Do this several times a day and it will heal right up.

[sarah0403]

Boredom I think is the big problem, this is common in large breed dog that need to be active such as labs, shepherds, dobermans, I bet if you get your dog out and wear him or her out everyday once a day you'll find they won't eat on their legs and feet.
My Belgian Malinoise does the same thing when he's bored and it's so annoying. And he knows that I don't like it because when I turn and look at him he stops and looks back like what, I'm not doing anything. It's so funny.

That's funny, I do the same thing with my rottie, bruno. I look over at him and say bruno, what are you doing? then he pouts and puts his head down, like "he just got caught in the act" one time, he even tried to play it off, and immediately went for his bone, like.."no mommy, Im chewing my bone..see? LOL