Most of the time, a dog licks or bites his paws because something is bothering him, hurting him or making him uncomfortable. Other times it could be the reaction to some type of anxiety or some medical condition. The reasons are diverse, however, it is important to attend to this issue as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming a continuous and even obsessive behavior and the dog from harming itself.
Why is my dog biting his paws? Many of our readers have asked us this question and the time has come to answer it in this new article on our site. What other strange behavior does your dog have? Leave us your comments and we will take it into account for future articles.
Allergies
Although dogs sneeze too, allergic reactions are one of the reasons a dog might bite their paws, in fact, is one of the most common reasons. common The problem is not in your dog's paws but in his nose and ears. Your dog could be reacting to an allergy or ear infection.
Your dog will chew its paws thanks to allergies to elements that it inhales such as dust, molds and pollen and that often react on the skin causing itching. For example, the well-known "hay fever" which is an infectious disease whose main symptom is an increase in body temperature. The dog may not only bite his paws but also scratch his armpits, rub his face and ears.
The problem is that scratching too much can lead to skin infections of your own with bacteria, which will make the itch even worse. An endless loop harmful to your dog. Additionally, animals, like people, can have contact dermatitis thanks to exposure and rubbing with chemical products such as soaps or pesticides that are not suitable for the delicate skin of the dog. It usually leads to atopic dermatitis.
What to do if my dog has allergies?
The first thing you should do is visit the vet for a thorough exam to rule out parasites, fleas, ticks and infections, that may be causing you itching and therefore the urge to bite your paws. After this ruling out, he will perform allergen tests or, if he can diagnose an allergy directly, he will prescribe some treatment that generally begins with antihistamines, which provide good relief from allergy. itch. The vet will also rely on symptomatic treatment with medicated dips, topical sprays or ointments, and oral fatty acid supplements.
Remove any chemicals from areas of the house where your dog has access. Similarly, educate him to stay away from the garden until the chemicals have been completely removed.
Dry Skin
Having dry skin can be as uncomfortable for a dog as it is for a human being, it itches and becomes irritated, and this can be one of the reasons why he will have the desire and the need to bite his paws to ways to get rid of the dry feeling While a dog's balanced diet containing enough fatty acids helps hydrate and protect its skin, a lack of this moisturizing source could be a cause of dryness. Also the dry air that comes with the winter season cracks and produces dryness in the dermis.
One of the most basic solutions to moisturize your dog's skin is to feed him excellent quality food that contains a balanced formula of vitamins and minerals, including fatty acids; some specific foods that use fish, a touch of oil and egg.
Also, every time you bathe him (it's important not to do it too often), apply special moisturizing shampoo to obtain a better production of the natural fat layer of the skin, remember that very frequent baths help to remove this natural fat that is very necessary for the body he alth of your pet.
Other reasons that will make him bite his paws
Other reasons to encourage a dog to bite its paws can be:
- It may be a reaction to something in the moment that is bothering them or hurting them. An insect bite, a wound, a broken or chipped fingernail or something stuck in it and you are trying to remove it, etc. Examine his paws for any injuries. If you notice that its wound is already infected, the solution is to go to the vet to treat it and then put an Elizabethan collar on it to isolate the mouth from the legs. If, on the other hand, you have something embedded in your pads, remove the object and put an antiseptic on the wound. If it is very complicated and your dog complains too much and does not allow you to touch his paws, it is best to take him to the vet.
- Dogs that are stressed, anxious or just plain bored can lead to harmful and obsessive behaviors such as paw licking; and if the situation becomes more complex, they can bite them, causing acral lick dermatitis. Don't leave him alone for too many hours, spend time with your dog and when he starts biting himself, try to redirect his attention to his favorite toy or game. The use of the Elizabethan collar is also highly recommended.
