How do I stop my chihuahua from chewing his paws?
My husband and I recently got a long-haired Chihuahua. We really love him. He is so cute and he is such a good dog but he keeps chewing on his feet. He chews on them very hard and I don’t know if this is normal or not. Is this something that they do or is there something I can do to his paws or something I can put on his paws to stop him from doing this?
Paw chewing is not normal behavior. The cause might be physical, such as dermititis or allergy, or it could be behavioral, such as stress or boredom. You should bring your chihuahua to your vet to make sure there is wrong physically. Dermititis can come from mites, flea bites, or contact with an irritant. If your vet suspects it’s an allergy, he can do a panel of allergy test to see what your dog is allergic to. This is rather costly ($500 or more) and sometimes the test is inconclusive. The vet can prescribe steroids to stop the itching, but that’s only treating the symptoms, and personally I would stay away from long-term reliance on steroids. My article on itchiness and scratching in chihuahuas also applies for paw chewing. They are both manifestations of allergies. Follow the instructions for using creams and sprays, bathing, changing diet, and taking Omega-3 supplements. Change will not happen overnight, but allergies can be managed through lifestyle changes.
Your dog may be chewing his paws out of stress or boredom. When you’re home with him, you should engage him in games, give him a chew toy filled with a yummy treat, or take him on a long walk to tire him out. Here are some activity toys and treats I recommend:
Tags: Chihuahua Puppy, Health, Nutrition
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