Introduction
Dogs are the most intimate little partners in our lives, they accompany us in their own way and bring us countless joy. But sometimes, you may find your own fur child suddenly began to chew on their paws, as if they are fighting with their own little feet. At this time, your heart will not rise a big question mark: what is it?
Why Dogs Chew Their Paws?
Don't worry, there are many reasons why dogs chew their paws, from physical problems to psychological emotions, and even some environmental factors that we can easily ignore, can be the “culprit”. Today, we will talk about these reasons, to help you better read the dog's mind, take good care of this small family members will not talk.
1. Physical reasons
Dogs' paws are like their exploring shoes, stepping on the ground every day to run around, inevitably encountering some small trouble. When the paws are uncomfortable, they have no way to complain, only to chew the way to “deal with the problem”. So what are the physical reasons for dogs to chew their paws?
2. Injuries
Imagine your dog running around the park, stepping on a sharp rock, or getting a branch that cuts his paw, or even getting stung by a mosquito, or getting a broken nail. These small wounds may not seem like much to us, but to dogs, they can hurt like hell or itch like crazy. To relieve this discomfort, they will lower their heads and gently lick or chew their paws with their mouths. This is actually the same reason why we will rub our hands when we accidentally cut them, it is a completely instinctive reaction.
3. Skin problems
Skin problems are arguably the number one suspect for paw chewing in dogs, especially in the following cases:
Allergies
Dogs, like people, can be allergic to certain things, such as pollen wafting around in the spring, mold spores in damp corners, and even herbicides sprayed in the yard and cleaners in the house. These allergens can make your dog's skin itch, especially in places like their paws where they have easy access to the outside world. They can't help but nibble and try to scratch to relieve the itch, but unfortunately this nibbling often makes the skin redder and more swollen.
Parasites
Fleas and ticks are little vampires that love to burrow into your dog's fur, especially in hidden corners like paw crevices. Not only do they draw blood, but they also make your dog's skin itch like crazy. As soon as a dog senses something is wrong with its paws, it will chew and bite as hard as it can to get rid of these nasty little things.
Fungal Infections
If your dog's paws are always wet, such as not blow-drying them after a bath or not wiping them off in time after a walk on a rainy day, they can easily harbor fungus. Once the fungus comes, intertoe infection follows, and the paws become red, swollen, itchy, and even give off a bit of an odor. Dogs can only use their mouths to save the day, but the more they chew, the worse it gets.
Dry skin
Once fall and winter hit, the weather is dry, and your dog's paws may dry out and peel, especially if they are sensitive to delicate skinned breeds like hairless dogs. Dry paws make them feel itchy, and a nibble seems to be the most direct solution.
4. Other
If it's a newly teething puppy, they may feel itchy gums and are always looking for something to chew on to vent. Toys, furniture, and even their own paws can become their teethers. It's like a little baby's love of finger biting when they are teething - a little piece of growing up.
5. Psychological reasons
Don't look at the dog all day happy, they also have their own little emotions. When the heart is not solid or boredom, chewing on the paw has become their way of venting.
Anxiety or Stress
Dogs are actually very sensitive, and some small changes in their lives can make them nervous. For example, if the owner goes out to work for too long, moves to a new home, has a new baby in the house or a strange kitten or puppy, all of these may trigger their separation anxiety or restlessness. To calm themselves down, they will chew on their paws, as if to give themselves something to do. It's the same reason some people bite their nails when they're nervous - it's a perfectly natural outflow of emotion.
Boredom
If a dog stays at home every day with little activity and no toys to play with, they will find their days boring as hell. To pass the time, they may stare at their paws and chew on them, just like we do when we're bored and swipe our cell phones or chew on our pens - it's an instinctive desire to find some excitement.
Mimicry
Dogs are natural mimics, especially puppies, and they love to watch the big dogs around them. If there's an older dog in the house who licks his paws, the little one might think, “Oh, so paws are for chewing,” and follow suit. This behavior is a bit funny, but it also reminds us to pay attention to the interaction between dogs.
6. Other reasons
In addition to physical and psychological reasons, there are some less common but not to be ignored factors that may make dogs chew their paws.
Hormonal imbalance
If your dog's hormones are out of whack, such as too much cortisol production (similar to stress hormones in humans) or not enough thyroid hormones, it can affect skin health. When skin conditions occur, itching and hair loss come to the fore, and naturally, paws can't escape. Dogs will chew to relieve this discomfort, but unfortunately this is not a cure for the symptoms.
Environmental factors
In places where winters are particularly cold, de-icing salts sprinkled on roads can melt snow and ice, but they can be a big problem for your dog's paws. These chemicals can burn the paw pads, leaving your dog feeling sore and itchy. They'll lick hard to try to relieve the discomfort, but this can make the paws more sensitive instead.
Dogs chew their paws for a myriad of reasons, sometimes it's the body crying out in pain, sometimes it's a psychological cry for help, and it could be the environment playing havoc. As owners, we have to be more attentive, take a close look at the dog's paws are not injured, red, swollen or parasites, and then think about it recently is not too much stress, too bored. If you really can't figure it out, or if the paw chewing is getting worse, take it to the vet and get professional help to check it out.
Home Remedies to Stop Dog from Chewing Paws
Have you noticed that your fur child has been chewing on his paws lately, as if he's fighting with his little feet? It's not a harmless habit, and there could be a number of reasons behind it, from allergies and itching to boredom and anxiety, all of which could be making your dog unable to stop himself from chewing. Don't worry, today we're going to talk about some simple and practical home relief methods to help your dog get rid of this little annoyance. Let's do it together, starting at home, to give your dog a comfortable and healthy living environment!
1. Cleaning and Care: Keep Paws Clean and Dry
The dog's paws step on the ground every day to run around, will inevitably be stained with dirt, dust, and even bacteria. If not cleaned in time, these dirty things may make the paws itchy and inflamed, and the dog will naturally want to use its mouth to solve the problem. So keeping paws clean and dry is the first step.
Every time you come back from a walk with your dog, give his paws a mini spa treatment with a damp paper towel or a pet-friendly foot soak. gently wipe the paw pads and toe crevices to clean out the dirt and grime. This not only prevents bacterial growth, but also makes your dog feel comfortable, just like the refreshed feeling we get after washing our feet.
If your dog is playing in the rain or after a bath, remember to towel dry the paws, especially the toe crevices and fleshy pads. Moist environments are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, which can easily trigger intertoe infections and leave paws red and itchy. If you're really unsure, you can also gently dry them with a hair dryer on a low setting.
Nails that are too long not only make it uncomfortable for your dog to walk, they can also pierce the pads of flesh and cause pain and infection. Check the nails every few weeks and trim them to the proper length. Also, hair on the paw pads that is too long can make the paws damp and airless, which can harbor bacteria. Trim it carefully with small scissors to keep the paws fresh and dry.
2. Environment and Habits: Creating a Cozy Nest
Your dog's living environment has a big impact on its health, especially on sensitive skin and paws. Reducing allergens, regulating humidity, and providing a comfortable resting space are all great ways to help keep your dog away from paw chewing behavior.
Pollen, lawn chemicals, and cleaning agents can be allergy culprits for dogs. Try to avoid exposing your dog to these things, such as playing in the grass less during pollen season and using pet-safe cleaning products in the home. Clean your home regularly to minimize dust mites and dust and allow your dog to breathe cleaner air.
In the fall and winter, the air is dry and your dog's skin and paws tend to dry out and itch. You can put a humidifier in your home to keep the indoor humidity between 40-60%, so that your dog's skin is moisturized and no longer chews its paws because of dryness.
Your dog's den is his private territory, so keep it clean and dry, and wash and replace bedding regularly to avoid bacteria and parasites from growing. A comfortable resting environment will help your dog sleep peacefully and reduce anxiety and discomfort.
3. Diet and Nutrition: Caring from the Inside Out
What your dog eats, your body will reflect. A proper diet not only makes your dog's coat shine, but also improves skin health and reduces paw chewing caused by allergies or malnutrition.
Choose a dog food for your dog that is nutritionally balanced and has simple ingredients, and avoid foods that contain too many additives or allergens. If you suspect your dog is allergic to an ingredient, try switching brands or consult your veterinarian for advice. A healthy diet is the foundation for preventing skin problems.
omega-3 fatty acids act like a lubricant for your dog's skin, improving the skin barrier and reducing inflammation and itching. You can add some fish oil to your dog's food or give your dog some omega-3 rich snacks like dried salmon. In the long run, your dog's skin and coat will become healthier.
If your dog's skin problem is more serious, you can supplement some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E and zinc, under the guidance of your veterinarian, to help repair the skin and strengthen the immune system.
4. Behavior and Psychology: Dispel Boredom with Love and Companionship
Dogs chewing their paws is sometimes not a physical problem, but a little psychological mood at work. Boredom, anxiety, and stress may make them vent by chewing their paws. So, spending more time with and interacting with your dog is definitely a cure for their trauma.
Take your dog out for a walk 2-3 times a day for at least 30 minutes each time, letting it run and sniff to its heart's content and burn off excess energy. Exercise not only keeps your dog healthy, it also keeps him happy and reduces anxiety and boredom.
Prepare some rubber toys, chewing gums and intellectual toys for your dog to pass the time and divert its attention during play. You can hide the toys in different places to stimulate his desire to explore and keep him so busy that he naturally won't have time to chew his paws.
If your dog is chewing its paws because of anxiety or stress, don't yell or punish it, as this will only make it more nervous. Instead, talk to it in a gentle tone of voice, gently stroke its head and offer positive encouragement and rewards. The dog can feel your love and patience, and slowly, it will let go of the little baggage in its heart.
5. Special Circumstances: Temporary Measures and Long-term Care
Sometimes, a dog chewing its paw may be due to a paw injury or infection, which requires some special treatment.
If the dog's paw has a wound or inflammation, in order to prevent it from licking and aggravating the condition, you can put on an Elizabethan ring (that plastic ring that looks like a flower petal). However, this is only a temporary umbrella; the real key is to find and address the underlying cause of the paw chewing.
Fleas, ticks, and other parasites are the enemy of itchy dogs, and regular internal and external deworming is essential. Use deworming medication for your dog on time every month to make sure he stays away from these little vampires.
Dogs chewing their paws may be a small problem, but there may be a big secret hidden behind it. As owners, we have to observe and take care of it with care and patience, from cleaning and care to psychological calming, every step should not be sloppy. We hope these home relief methods can help you and your furry child to keep its little paws clean and healthy. Of course, if the situation hasn't gotten better, or if your dog's paws have obvious wounds and infections, remember to take him to the vet in time, so that you don't let a small problem drag into a big one.
