Question:
Okay, so I know I've asked this question before.....Mocha's really going to town lately on his feet. He's been on Go! Natural Salmon and Oatmeal for.....8 weeks (?) now. His ears are great, he's not showing any signs of infection or sensitivity, his ears aren't even warm anymore like they used to be. But, he's still chewing on his feet like he's never been fed in his whole life.

Could this be a behavioural thing, or does he just like the taste of his feet? Is there anything that I can do, like put booties on him or something? Can this lead to health problems down the road?? I love my little pooper, but the sound of him chewing on his feet at 3 am is driving me nuts! I can't imagine what he's feeling.

Answer:
Has he had allergies in the past? Might not be food, could be allergies to pollen or something. Constantly chewing on the feet from allergies can lead to chronic skin infections that are basically impossible to cure, so you do want to solve this. Maybe do some allergy testing? I know the tests aren't 100% accurate, but they could give you some ideas.

Answer:
Sorry, I don't really know Mocha's history and what you've been experiencing in the past but could it be allergies?

I have one dog that is a foot chewer as well - it helped to change foods but when Spring and Summer arrive she gets a lot worse due to the amount of grass, pollen, mold and dust around.

Other things that may cause allergies are changing detergents, using a new floor cleaner or lawn care chemicals.

I was told by the vet that dogs have many glands in their feet and that is why you see them chewing on their feet if they have allergies. The Glands get irritated due to the various allergens and feel hot and itchy.

Answer:
My Millie used to do this too. Drove me nuts. I think it was mostly a behavior thing. But I also switched her to Timberwolf Organics and she is much better at not doing it so much.

Susan

Answer:
Harley chews on his feet all the time and I know it is allergies. If someone in the house gives Harley one of Buster's chicken treats, Harley chews! We have started him on benadryl and it seems to help a bit, but usually if I persist and say Leave It, he will eventually stop....His chew time is about 5:00am

Answer:
Mocha's a walking encyclopedia!! I won't get into all of the issues with his back, but he's always (now that I recognize the signs) had some degree of food allergies. His ears have always been yeasty smelling and full of crud and requiring drops. We've been through a lot of food changes, and now I feed him Go! Natural Salmon and Oatmeal. His ears are wonderful! They aren't red and inflammed or even warm to touch, and they don't have that yeasty smell anymore.

But he still licks his feet - all four of them. The fur is red, and I've inspected the pads and there are no cracks or sores on them. I never thought of environmental allergies though.....Awwwww....poor itchy baby

Maybe would it help to put booties on him when we go outside? I don't use cleaners on the floors - just nuclear hot water. Or maybe it's the dust in the carpet? Oh boy.....looks like I should make an appointment for the vet. I guess it wouldn't hurt to get him tested, eh? Poor little doggy....I can't imagine how his little feetsies feel...

Answer:
Does it get better or worse ever? It's tree pollen time, so if it's getting worse now, it could be that...

Answer:
I'm not sure if booties would help - most of these environmental allergies are inhaled.

Great with the floor cleaning! I just asked because these things can trigger allergies in those sensitive.

I just vacuum normally. I don't use toxic chemicals or lawn chimicals. This is just something I do for our own health and for the environment. I try and use as much fragrant and dye free products and this can also help - washing your pet's bedding for example.

Nothing you can do about the outdoor environment really but you may notice, like Prin said, that certain things may trigger the allergies like tree, grass, weed pollens. If your weather station posts a pollen report it might give you an idea when it gets worse?

In my experience and with the advice from my vet, if it starts getting really bad - yes, the licking makes them really red, I wash her feet with a medicated soap called Endure (formerly Hibitane). I get this from the vet or the drugstore sometimes has it. I also have a anti-itch spray with tee tree oil called Wham. Picked that up from a pet store. I do this to clean, soothe and prevent infection. I have also been told that to use Benadry if it is really driving her crazy.

It really depends on the dog and severity - I know a dog that is allergic to absolutely everything and he is currently getting immunosupresive treatments for it.

I have never had allergy test done myself because I notice it is very seasonal with her and I am able to control it somewhat with the frequent feet washing and spray. I have also found that a better quality diet has also helped to reduce her problems.

Answer:
If its environmental or some sort of irritation, it may help to soak his paws in epsom salts or diluted tea tree oil...

It could also just as easily have become habit (since he's always done it) but with his history it does sounds like allergies!

Answer:
He used to do it occasionally before, but it's becoming increasingly frequent. He'll chew on one, I'll give him heck then five minutes later it's another one. I can't really pinpoint if it gets better or worse at any time during the year.

Unfortunately, I don't know what he's walking on outside, as we live in a condo and we go to the green belt a block away for business time...

I'll call my vet tomorrow morning and get him an appointment for an allergy test. I'm just worried that he's going to chew his pads apart...and then we'll be in trouble. Poor little doggy

I'm just wondering now if doggy ears are more sensitive to food allergies than feetsies. Because if that's the case maybe it'll take longer for his feet to clear up with diet change? Like I mentioned before, his ears are wonderful now - no more itchy!! Hmmmm....

Answer:
I've been having the exact same problem with Streets lately, but only with one foot
Epson salt soaks twice a day, followed by a wipe down of 50/50 apple cider vinegar (the good stuff from a health food store with the mother floating in it) and water, allowed to air dry, stopped the chewing in a day. His foot is looking 100% better than it did on friday, so it might be worth a try.

Answer:
Originally Posted by Mocha's mum
I'm just wondering now if doggy ears are more sensitive to food allergies than feetsies.

Jemma gets itchy feet because of ragweed. If I don't get her the cortisone shot before ragweed season, her paws never really heal till spring. Instead of healing, the salt irritates them more.

They rip out the fur and irritate it with their teeth, so they rip out more fur and irritate it more... The ears just stop producing gunk, so the effects are much quicker on the ears, imo.

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