Biting feet

[Lucky7]

I have a 2 year old border collie that i got from a rescue group and she bites the fur between the pads on her paws. She doesn't have fleas but someone said it may be allergies...what can i do to help her?

[jgee61]

Hi, I have a 15 week old Cocker Spaniel, I got him when he was 7 weeks old, anyway my problem with him ever since I got him is the biting. The hands and feet, I can't play with him for this reason he is alway's wanting to bite me and hard. I have tried everything that I know, even putting pepper on my arms that he has tore up by the way from biting. Ever time I pick him up he bites me and want stop, walking I can't cause he is biting my feet, standing still is a no-no for me cause he is at the biting my feet badly. I need serious help with this. Like I said I have tried everything that I know and what others have told me to try. I am out of options. Please help me and my puppy. His name is Poppy. Thank you for your time on this matter. Sincerely Judy Gee

[foxi7778]

I would get your dog to the vets and get some allergy tests done as this must be very uncomfortable her. Have you had a look between her toes to see if the skin is red or broken or looks infected in any way? Does the skin round her mouth look any different? Sometimes if dogs chew at an infected area it can spread onto their face. If you think she may be allergic to something she is walking on you can purchase dog socks or boots...this might also be an idea to stop her chewing at her feet.

[Kate]

Hi there,

Biting at their feet is just one of several things that a dog may do when they have itchy skin. Others include scratching at their ears or other body parts. Sometimes the skin appears red and if the dog has been scratching for some time, they can get secondary bacterial infections. This can be serious and will require veterinary intervention.

Many dogs suffer from a condition called atopy, which pretty much just means that they are extra sensitive to things that other dogs would not react to like dust, or grasses etc. It is very similar to human allergies, and can be very frustrating to deal with because it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. Often it can take some time to find the cause and unfortunately it often is a case of controlling the signs rather than curing it.

The number 1 thing to do with itchy dogs is to control fleas. You don't have to see fleas on your dog for them to have them. Fleas spend much of their time off the host and in the environment, so treat your dog even if you think they don't have them!

If food is the problem, you can sometimes find what it is that your dog is allergic to and remove it from their diet. Special commercial diets are also available that are 'hypoallergenic'. These usually need to be prescribed by a vet.

If it is only your dogs feet that appear itchy then you may be able to just treat them topically by bathing them. It is amazing what a little salty water will do! If the skin looks at all red or a bit oozy then it is probably time you take a trip to your vet.

Hope this helps
Kate

[Lucky7]

thanks for your ideas, i have an appt for my dog tomorrow am, she does also look a bit pink around her mouth...i heard there is a dip for feet, is that the salt water dip? if so, any suggestions on the proportions of salt to water and do you use it warm? thanks again!

[foxi7778]

Not sure about a dip for the feet, but the proportions for a saline solution are.... 1 heaped teaspoon of salt per litre of water...doubt if you'll need quite that much though Make this with warm (not hot) water so the salt disolves. Good luck at the vets and let us know how you get on

[Lucky7]

i have been giving her omega fatty acids and good dog food. her coat is really shiny now and her tail even has more hair on it. in fact her coat is thicker all over. the vet said it is not fleas and probably allergies to grass or something she walks on. i have noticed she has much less problems when i walk only on roads and sidewalks tho she loves to do the horse trails, she seems to have more problems then...she doesnt like the idea of "rinsing her feet". in fact it seems to really upset her so i dont know how much that will help becuase i havent pushed her...

[Shado]

Have same problem w/my 4 yr old shelter dog. He has been biting at his feet ever since I got him. Our vet says that it is allergies and that this is the time of the year when fleas are bountiful. Although he doesn't have the fleas, just some kind of air bourne allergy.

What the vet has given him is an anti-histomine (Benadryl) 1 -2 tablets every 4 to 6 hrs (25mg tablets); as well as Prednisone (steroid) and of course because of the infection an antibiotic. This only works for a while and then were back to square 1. And it seems that each year it get worse.

Have recently been informed that Benadryl only works for some dogs and/or really isn't that effective. So now we're out looking for something to stop the itchiness.

It was suggested that we try Claritin (Allergy Medication) but that can be very expensive.