Chewing paws

[Joshuajosephspork]

My 8yo Jack Russell cross has started chewing and licking her paws. She has almost all the hair off the back two and has started on the front ones. I've taken her to the vet - there is no infection and no infestation - she's had texts and there doesn't seem to be anything physically wrong. Anti-itch medication has had no effect.

They look horrible but they don't seem to be casing her any pain - she doesn't flinch or whine if you pick up her paws, so we've put it down to a nervous habit of some sort

So, oh wise mumsnetters any suggestions to help her stop?

Is it possible she may have the start of arthritis? Our lab used to lick a paw and her hock until it was bald and sore. We tried all sorts of treatment, bandaging and anti-lick solution that had no effect. She also had no mites, infections etc after tests were done. Coincidently we started her on painkillers for arthritic hips and the licking stopped straight away.

I have a bichon with the same problem.. She's five now and only started this 6 months ago on the underside of one paw.

I took her the vet and he said it's likely it's become a habit as there is nothing wrong with her... He likened it to biting your nails

Have you tried an antihistamine? I give my basset piriton, but you would have to watch doses with a smaller dog.

Also try coconut oil, rubbing it into the sin, both pads and between pads and toes.

Thanks for the responses. The 'anti-itch' pills I referred to as doing no,good are anti-histamines Mimsy, but I shall try the coconut oil and if it does no good will get her checked out for arthritis. She has become less keen on her walks lately but I put that down to increasing age. She doesn't seem unhappy and is still her waggy friendly self so I don't think it's anything too serious - I had put it down to habit as she did have a problem with her paw a while ago which is when she started the chewing but we got that sorted at the time.

She's all snuggled up to me at the moment and not chewing - the weather is horrible and she hates the rain so she's happy just lazing around

I think...

If the vet has ruled out skin problems and allergies you're kind of left with behavioural or referred pain...it'd be a bit random to suddenly for no real reason develop an obsessive licking issue, not impossible, but you'd expect a reason for it really.

So I'd be looking at pain elsewhere in her legs, like arthritis as has already been mentioned as it is fairly common.

Foot chewing can be really misleading. The dog can have discomfort or an irritation almost anywhere and chew the feet for relief. So it doesn't have to be foot related.

Check out the usual first... could it be grass, did you change washing powder, dog food etc... recently. If no allergies are apparent, get the anal glands checked just in case they need emptying.

Also bear in mind that sometimes chewing and licking of body parts can be habit or psychological - if the dog is stressed or bored. So break the habit with a leg/paw cover and try new toys, more exercise, stress reduction.

I have just learnt that this is common with JRTs if they have an anal gland infection. She was scooting about on her bum the other day and I just thought that she was due a worming. Off to the Vet again tomorrow I think.

Scooting is nearly always anal glands. Easily sorted so let's hope so

I agree that it could be referred pain, that's what it has been in my experience anyway.

Get the vet to show you how to empty the glands so you haven't got to run back every time they need doing. Adding fibre or raw bones to the diet may help.

This shows you how to do it

Man I'm never getting a dog if that's what you have to do

My rescue dog used to lick his forelegs and paws to point of soreness when he became anxious. He went through phases of it.

Could it be anxiety? Maybe try a dap plug in?

Ah just saw your last post.

Ick, anal gland squeezing rather you than me!

We've found 2 cups of white vinegar to 1 gallon of water as a paw bath ( we put it in one of the plastic Really Useful sweater boxes) soothes the paws and then dry with paper kitchen towel. I massage coconut oil into our's paws/pads as well which they love. During the particularly warm weather we also give antihistamine. The itchy paws could be a yeast infection. If so, they benefit from eating live yogurt and reducing carbs and increasing protein.

Well, I took her back to the vet. She has now been given antibiotics as there is a slight infection now plus some more anti-itch pills. There does seem to be some improvement so fingers crossed