How to soothe itchy feet...

[Morgan3]

Scootz has started to chew and lick his paws. It is getting increasingly worse. He has a vet appt on Thurs, and is taking Benedryl, but it's not helping too much. Is there anything that I can do to ease his discomfort until Thurs?

He is on California Natural, so I don't think its the food. I do think it is outside allergies, manly grass, as we take lots of walks . He really doesn't get alot of treats or anything, just his dry food.

I have tried distracting him, but he just leaves the room now to chew...:(
I hate to see his paws looking so raw...

Thanks for the help

 

[harley03]

We have the same problem.
Harley went to the vet a little over a week ago and he said it looks like seasonal allergies. The vet put him on medication for 8 days and advised us to keep his feet clean. He gets his feet washed every night before bedtime, and has finished up his meds. He seems alot more comfortable. Another solution may be to buy him a pair of outdoor booties so his feet don't come in contact with the grass.

 

[Morgan3]

thanks

I am going to check into some booties for him. But somehow I don't see him wearing them,. He has a fit if we try to cut his nails...Thanks for the response.

 

[Maxwell's Ma]

When ever Max would do this it was because I have changed his food. The minute I went back to what food didn't give him the problem He stopped chewing his feet.

Now let me say Max does have seasonal allergies and gets a shot for it once a month. But, he will break out in hives on his tummy when this happens. And he isn't chewing his feet. That only happens when I have changed his food and like I said resolves when I discontinue giving him the food. Have you changed his food lately???

 

[Morgan3]

No, in fact he is on California Natural lamb meal and rice puppy. I will be changing over to the sweet potato and fish when this bag is done. I really don't think its his food. His feet are the only thing he does this with. Usually after walks and lately we have been walking early morning and the grass is usually wet with dew. He walks on both the sidewalk and grass...

 

[Hobart Ave.]

Hobart had terrible allergies in the spring and his poor feet were bright red :( I bought 100% aloe vera gel and before bed each night I would massage the gel between his pads. Then I would pull old socks over his feet and fasten them with velcro (the kind that has a sticky back so you can put it anywhere). I think he left his socks on because it was bedtime and he was sleepy. I noticed great improvement in just a couple of days and within a week his feet were much better. I hope Scootz feels better soon!

 

[miss_phit]

Omega 3

My boxer, Melody [Mel], was having a horrible time scratching. She'd scratch her ears, her 'arm' pits, chew on her toes. She'd shake her head violently, I thought she was going to knock herself out. The vet said it was allergies and that since she wasn't doing any 'harm' to herself (i.e. drawing blood), just to keep an eye on it, even suggested using benedryl. I couldn't see a difference when I used the benedryl. I did some research on-line and found that Omega 3 fatty acid would help allieviate some of the symptoms. Another suggestion was brewer's yeast. (Both contribute to healthy skin and coat) Since then I've been using both the fish oil suppliment and brewer's yeast tablets and Mel's scratching is minimal. (As a bonus, Mel doesn't shed as much either).

 

[MyBoxerDewey]

Dewey is also having major problems with Red itchy paws. He is a city dog, so he does not walk on grass, so a grass allergy is ruled out. We wash 2x daily and dry thuroughly. If anybody figures out, let me know!

 

[tesster]

My dog had the same thing when she was younger. I don't remember what she was eating at the time (either Innova, Wellness or Canidae), but it eventually went away.

To treat the symptoms, one thing I did was clean her feet, as others suggested. I also put hydrocortizone on her feet and then put socks on her to keep her from licking. I had to tape them on w/ medical tape and watch her to keep her from taking them off, but it worked. I did this right before she went to bed when she was really sleepy, so that she eventually fell asleep with them on.

Are you using any carpet powers or anything else that could be irritating her feet?

 

[Morgan3]

I took Scooter to the vets and she seems to think its seasonal allergies. Gave me a medicated bath and wipes for his paws.

What is happening is when he licks and chews in between his toes, they stay wet cause air cannot get to it and then he develops yeast. The wipes seem to be doing the job and his paws are healing up nicely. Thank you for your responses. I do appreciate it!