I have a three year old white Bichon/Poodle. For the past two or three weeks he has chewed on his feet until one of the pads is partially chewed off. I have taken him to the vet. He was given a shot of something, it didn't work. I have given him Benadryl and that hasn't worked. Any suggestions please?
Again thanks to everyone who responded to my request for help with my pooches itching feet. This may be a bit deep but does anyone know what one might do to prevent this from happening in the future? Thanks again.
I do not use any chemicals in my yard. I think that is what killed one of my dogs a few yeas ago. I try to keep most of the weeds chopped down and mow the rest. My wife and I are not into much of the chemical thing for cleaning house, so I hope the suggestions you folks have given me work. Thanks again
I want thank everyone who has responded to my request for help with itchy feet. It seems that the Tea Tree Oil is pretty popular so I will try it first. Again I thank you and my Pooch Lil Bear thanks you too. SeniorOkie
We had a bassett hound that had a ragweed allergy. She got benedryl, prednisone (vet's prescription) and got a bath once a week with special shampoo. This helped her a lot, but her allergies kept getting worse and worse every year we had her.
Try to massage them with olive oil to relieve the itch. It will not harm the poor baby if he licks any off, but it will calm the itch. I agree it sounds like something he is walking across that is the root of his problem. When I mop I use hot water and a few drops of lavender oil. I run a small rescue that is funded only by my ssd, so I can't afford high priced stuff anyway. But this works and makes your home smell good as well. Debbie
I've read that spraying diluted organic apple cider vinegar on animals' itchy/chewy "hot spots" will sooth.
Also, what others have said about changes in cleansers & chemicals is true. Allergies could be a cause too, like grass for instance. Dogs can be allergic (or become allergic as they age) to grass.
My sister's dog Storm was miserable most of her life, until they moved into their 3rd home that in a deserty area with no grass in the yard. After spending thousands & thousands of dollars on vet bills & meds that didn't work, after they moved into their new home Storm's skin & itch cleared right up!
My teen daughter walks dogs for spending money, and there is one dog named Freak who has to have his paws spritzed with water and wiped off immediately after coming back from walks because otherwise he will chew his toes to shreds. Grass allergy.
Well, I definitely agree about the tea tree oil and also watching out for cleaners on the floor, etc. I have heard some pretty bad things about some of the Swiffer chemicals, etc. Also, when my Dobie has had hot spots that he chews on, it's because he's eating food with corn in it, or he needed to be wormed.
Another thing I just found was a natural herbal drop with yucca in it that's an anti-inflammatory for pets that lots of people said really helped, but I would try eliminating some of the possible causes first. Dandelion root capsules sprinkled in the food will help remove toxins from the system of most anything (human or animal) and is readily eaten. Good luck!
Try to find out what is the cause of the itching and remove the cause. Is he walking on something that he is allergic to? Have you used chemicals on your lawn or used a different cleaning solution on the flooring in your home? Otherwise, I am thinking it might be a fungus on his feet, like humans get. Ask your vet. good luck.
Another besides tea tree oil for the feet is athlete's foot spray in a pinch since it may take a few days to purchase tt oil. Willard's water (best is WW xxx) . By mouth and on irritations. Cures hot spots. Get rid of Dolly's fleas, dry borax the carpets. Homeo vet for nosodes. No Pharma vaccines.
Tea tree oil is the magic of all first aid treatments. Apply to any itch, bite, scratch, cut or abrasion, on human or dog and it will work. It is the very best antiseptic available, has no side effects and is completely safe. Apply to the dogs feet to help the itch and also to help heal what ever is bothering the feet. Perhaps he's picked up some kind of fungus or other contact dermatitis.
Giving the poor doggy prednazone without even knowing what's wrong is just not right. Tea tree oil will clean any infection while healing. I've used it for flea bites, to get rid of fleas, and ring worm one of my dogs got one very hot and dry summer. Works like a charm. You've nothing to loose by trying it and your doggy will be very grateful. Not only will it heal the paws, he won't like the smell that well so won't lick it off either. As for yourself, tea tree oil works like magic on those nasty kitchen burns we all give ourselves. I haven't been without this bottle of magic for years.
This pages has been archived 2 times. You can view older posts and feedback below.
Request: Relieving a Dog's Itchy Feet (09/22/2009)
I read somewhere on this site about Epsom salts or baking soda helping with dogs biting on their feet and having sores. You were suppose to soak their feet in this solution. I can't find where the directions for this are. Could someone please help me?
Request: Relieving a Dog's Itchy Feet (04/06/2009)
My dog, a Newfoundland and Border Collie mix, spends a lot of time biting his feet. The vet recommends Benadryl and Prednazone to stop it. I would like to find a natural and healthier solution to the problem. Can anyone help?
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Request: Relieving a Dog's Itchy Feet
Archived on 09/22/2009
I read somewhere on this site about Epsom salts or baking soda helping with dogs biting on their feet and having sores. You were suppose to soak their feet in this solution. I can't find where the directions for this are. Could someone please help me? My dog has been on antibiotics for 3 weeks with no relief. Her feet are awful looking and bleed at times. Thank you.
Here is some information from earthclinic.com:
http://earthclinic.com/Pets/allergies.html
Note that if the itching is from yeast, then the apple cider vinegar and water won't work. Also, fish oil and yogurt are great for different kinds of itching, and benadryl is good too. (04/06/2009)
The first idea coming to my mind is the floor cleaner, and it's one of the first explanations of several to read on this website. Hope you find relief for your pet. I'd go so far as to put children's socks on his paws while indoors and see if that helps. Benadryl ointment is quick relief for the itch, but doesn't cure it. (04/06/2009)
I read just today in a newsletter that I receive from a veterinarian, that baking soda and baking powder are dangerous for dogs and cats. Ingestion of large amounts of baking soda or baking powder can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium and/or high sodium), congestive heart failure or muscle spasms. (04/07/2009)
Most dog allergies like you are describing are caused by an allergy to wheat. There is a dog food sold by EVO that is supposed to be very good for this type of allergy. Keep in mind you may have to feed it for upward of 3 months to see an improvement. You will have to check with a vet to see about buying it. (04/08/2009)
I'm here to add, antibiotics aren't always the answer, either. Our 5-year-old English Mastiff has been on Keflex for several months, and still chews his one back foot raw. We have a vet appointment on 5/4 to see if anything else can be done. I hate the expense, but sometimes it's necessary. (04/08/2009)
Hi, my dog was licking her feet every day. After many trips to the vets and taking antibiotics and other allergy drugs, she did not get better. We switched her to a special dog food by Evo. After she finished that bag of dog food we switched her to lamb and rice dog food. Check the label, some of these have wheat in them. We also bought dog probiotics and vitamins to put in her food These are available at www.naturesfarmacywest.com. The vet also gave us a tube of lick guard, in case the licking had become a habit. It tastes bad, so the dog doesn't lick. (04/08/2009)
Try soaking the dog's feet in 1 cup Epsom salts and three parts water. Also, after food give a tablespoon apple cider vinegar for every 50 lbs dog for one week, it really works. Visit some homemade remedy sites. (04/09/2009)
My dog, a Newfoundland and Border Collie mix, spends a lot of time biting his feet. The vet recommends Benadryl and Prednisone to stop it. I would like to find a natural and healthier solution to the problem. Can anyone help?
Marylee from PA
Answers:
RE: Relieving a Dog's Itchy Feet
Try peppermint oil rubbed in good. I would think a natural lip balm would work too, because in reality they are "chapping" their paws. Might consider something they won't lick 'cause it tastes good. (02/11/2009)
Seeing that you are in PA, its winter and there is a good chance that the dog is having problems with ice melt solutions ie: salt, calcium chloride and or other melting solutions that may cause irritation to the skin. I would wash the dogs paws off at the door, very gently, remember that the animals paws are sensitive and rubbing them may cause more irritation. Use a cooling cream like aloe or from the plant itself, or a ointment for burns. Have your carpets professionally steam cleaned and make everyone take the shoes off at the door so you don't track it on your clean carpets and vac once a day until winter is over with. We have a rabbit that starts to clean her paws from the salt tracked in our home. Good Luck!
Mark (02/12/2009)
Salt and sometimes things outside are very alkaline. Try rinsing with a solution of vinegar and water. I would start off with maybe a 10 or 15% solution, because the skin can be chapped or sore (that's like 1-1/2 tsp white vinegar and 8-1/2tsp water, will give you a 15% solution). After the skin is well, then you can go to 50%-1/2 water, 1/2 vinegar and then straight vinegar, but I have used this stuff on myself. Sometimes when I go out and garden and sweat really badly, my arms start to itch really badly and I'm not ready to shower yet. Well keep a bottle of prepared mix and pour it on, rub a little to spread it and then dry it off and it is amazing. It even stops the itching from plant irritations. (02/12/2009)
By Chris t.
RE: Relieving a Dog's Itchy Feet
Prednisone, no good. It's a great short term remedy. I had the same problem with my mini schnauzer and after Prednisone and a couple of cortisone shots I changed her food. After the food change, the itching of the feet stopped, the hair loss stopped. I switched her from Beneful (which she loved) to Natural Life Allergy and then to Hill's Science Diet. Both worked and she enjoyed both foods. I know some say dog food is dog food and they're not spending the money for more expensive. I'm here to say, dog food is not dog food, just like fast food is not a home cooked meal.
Also what Supreme Care said is true; it could just be irritation from the elements or chemicals or salt. Here in the south, I put paw wax, which I get at WalMart or Petsmart, on her paws to protect her feet from the very hot pavement. The container also says for cold weather. It's good stuff and seems to provide a barrier against hot or cold, just like lip balm. (02/12/2009)
