chewing feet off!

[ulbsterx]

Both of my Boxers have been chewing on their feet for about a month. Reznor went to the vet two wks ago and she just said it was perhaps seasonal allergies because at that time, he also had hives. She gave me a stronger allergy med and the hives went away, but he is still chewing on his elbows and his feet. Two weeks ago, my other Boxer, Sugar also decided to start chewing her feet! Although she has not harmed it, she seems determined to chew her left front paw almost constantly. Nothing in their lives has changed that could contribute to this problem other than the weather. We have been thru many allergy issues w/ Reznor (please see old posts if you would like more info), but never had this type of problem w/ Sugar. Any thoughts? Thank you.

 

[coxps119]

I have no clue, but Abby does the same thing. She chews on them ALL THE TIME! It is nerveracking! Wilson never has, but they think Abby has allergy's with an OCB problem.

 

[coxps119]

I have no clue, but Abby does the same thing. She chews on them ALL THE TIME! It is nerveracking! Wilson never has, but they think Abby has allergy's with an OCB problem. They've tried putting her on allergy meds and prednisone, but nothing works. I'm with you, if anyone knows anything, please post!

 

[Adelle]

My female Nessa chews her feet also. A behavior like that can start from an allergy but turn in OCD, but that's not always the case it can just be an allergy, I think with Nessa who has a very nervous disposition its a combination of both.

What are you feeding your boxers - as the best way to deal with it is to find out what they are allergic to and remove that from the diet.

I am still trying to figure that out with Nessa - its hard work. Also when I catch her doing it I try to break the habit and by getting her to do something else - I usually encourage her to chew on a chew toy instead - this helps with the OCD part of it with the hope of breaking the habit.

 

[Cami]

Oftentimes chewing of the feet can be a sign of a yeast infection. Did the vet check for this? Just a thought.

 

[EMWAZ]

Have you checked his food?? What have you changed that may have started the itching?? Has your vet recommended benadryl??

 

[K&KM]

Rage does that all the time. But she has very bad allergies as well. We tried Bendadryl as recomended but smaller doses were not enough and higher ones drugged her. (She is the runt!) But our vet told us the corn in there dog food could be a factor for allergies. Also, certain preservatives in the food could cause it as well. She also had extremely red ears that itched. When we switched to wet food, it seemed to lessen. But occaisionally we still catch her doing it.

 

[EMWAZ]

well the ear thing does sound like a yeast infection or something else, my dogs ears got very red one time and they gave him a shot of predisone that worked very well. Also you might want to change the food gradually to a sensitive skin or stomach brand.

We use pro plan sensitve skin and stomach which is fish based and seems to help my boxers very well, they all have nice coats and no itching...

Good Luck..

 

[coxps119]

I know Abby has yeast, but they can't seem to clear it up. That is in her ears, but her feet are still a mystery.

 

[EMWAZ]

Are you using the stuff for his ears, the ottomax?? The next step is trying to change the food.. If your baby is young hopefully some of this may be just due to his age. Our boxer who had the problems before seemed to grow out of them. It could be something else too, just keep trying to eliminate what it may be and hopefully with the vets help you can figure it out.

My white boxer was at the kennel recently and developed some hives but we used the benadryl and kept him from itching them and we got rid of them. I think its either nerves or something the kennel uses for cleaning. He's fine now.