Paw Licking

[lilm48]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop a dog from licking their paw? My almost 6yr old Rottie has this horrible habit and has licked one of her paws to the point where it was slightly bleeding this morning. I have been able to deter her for the most part by putting wristbands on her legs (doggie legwarmers!) but she is getting smarter and learning how to pull them off her foot!

[brunie's mom]

First you have to find out the reason for the paw licking. Often it can be food allergies or contact allergies (chemicals used in cleaning products,etc.).
What food are you feeding? Change to a food that has mainly meat and has NO corn, wheat, or soya.
What does your vet suggest?

Gina

[lilm48]

Hi Gina,

Thanks for responding. I was feeding her Canidae but changed her over to California Natural, since Canidae changed the ingredients and I read all these horror stories on this site from the ingredient change.

I'm afraid it might be some sort of allergy...but not certain. I haven't talk to the vet about it because frankly, I know they are only going to push some expensive "treatment."

[brunie's mom]

Do use fertilizer or spray on your lawn? or walk places that may have been sprayed? What do you wash your floors with? Do you put anything on your rugs to deodorize them? These things could also be causing a allergy.

Since she has been eating multiple proteins, you may want to try her on the California Natural Herring and Sweet Potato....it could be the chicken,lamb, turkey,etc. that is bothering her?

Also...how much exercise is she getting? Has there been changes in your home, that she could be stressed? I've seen bored or stressed dogs start licking feet or a leg or some spot on their body....because it helps them relieve stress. I would also up her exercise, and do 10-15 minutes of training daily...and everytime she starts licking stop her. You could also offer her a raw bone or bully stick...it may help keep her mind away from licking her feet.

Gina

[meg8777]

Does she do this year round, or is it something that she just started?

My oldest has recently started licking and chewing on her paws as well. After talking with relatives, their dogs are all doing the same thing right now so we're attributing it to seasonal allergies. (especially since we humans are also suffering badly at the moment!) I've been keeping her on 25-50 mg of Benadryl and she's doing pretty good. I figure that if she continues after the bad allergy season (or after the first frost) then I probably need to be more concerned.

[spidey]

You should talk to your vet, paw licking is a very common symptom of allergies, and if you feel your vet is "pushing some expensive treatment" perhaps you should find a vet you trust. Very few vets recommend things which aren't in the best interests of your pet, the fact that it costs money doesn't change that. It's up to you whether or not you take your vet's advice, but the vet would not be doing his/her job if they didn't suggest the best course of action from a medical standpoint.

[Rudgeman]

My vet took me for quite a bit of money and I never figured out why my boy who just passed licked his paws. We were told laser surgery,wraps, bitter apple, etc. It NEVER stopped. I have since swtched my vet preference, keep us posted if your figure it out.

[Ayoka]

Have you had a good look at the paw, could something be lodged in there? Dogs will lick of they are in pain, itchy or as has been mentioned, just plain stressed out.

I'd be inclined to see if a new protein helps you out and then see the vet...I worry primarily about vet treatments that only treat symptoms without ever finding out the cause...of course this is my beef with human doctors too! I find that the tests/alternative treatments I might ask/opt for cost me a lot more than meds but I can resolve issues faster and get the right treatment the first time. Of course I have a vet right now that lays out the options and lets me make my own mind up about what we're going to do for Bear.

[sweetlee]

I would agree that trying a new protein in a food is a good idea, the California Naturals Herring and Sweet Potato or the Lamb Rice formula if your dog hasn't tried lamb in former foods.
That way you can eliminate or confirm one that may be bothering.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[lilm48]

Thank You!

I have decided to put her on Benadryl to see if that helps. Nothing has changed around the house...Nothing in her paw....No fertilizer on the lawns out front...so I am thinking it might just be some seasonal allergies-- along with not getting as much exercise as she should be.

I am feeding her the Cali Natural Chicken and Rice. This weekend will be two weeks of feeding her this new food. I can't imagine that it would be the food....do you? I was feeding her Canidae (ALS) until they changed it to the "new and improved" formula. I may have to change her to the sweet potato one, like many of you have suggested...sounds tastier anyhow

I don't generally give her treats but I think I will start buying her some good quality bones that she can chew on a few times a week, as someone suggested. Do you have any suggestions about a good quality bone/treat that isn't doggy "junk food?"

[MeanV2]

A groomer had told my wife it can be caused by mold in the grass?? She said be sure and wash and dry feet when you bring them back in.

[meg8777]

It is possible that your dog could have developed a chicken allergy. I'm currently testing that out just to make sure that's not the case with my own. I switched from the California Natural chicken and rice to the lamb. I figure I'll give her a couple of weeks and if she stops the licking then I may have been wrong about the seasonal allergies after all. I'll keep you posted. If only they could talk!

[lilm48]

Originally Posted by meg8777

It is possible that your dog could have developed a chicken allergy. I'm currently testing that out just to make sure that's not the case with my own. I switched from the California Natural chicken and rice to the lamb. I figure I'll give her a couple of weeks and if she stops the licking then I may have been wrong about the seasonal allergies after all. I'll keep you posted. If only they could talk!

I agree. If only they could talk! I just bought a bag of the Cali Natural chicken and rice, so I think I'll ride it out til I need a new bag...then maybe change over to the lamb or sweet potato flavor.

The allergy to grass is intersting...and I wouldn't be surprised if my pup is allergic to it! It would be my luck!