I searched the forums, but didn't see anything quite like what my pup is experiencing, so I thought it best to post to get some feedback. I've noticed over the last couple of weeks that my girl, Sierra, has starting chewing her paws and "wrists". Her nose and paws are stained pink, so I figure she's digging into them pretty good. I've yet to see any cuts on or in between her pads, but I'm worried something is irritating them and I can't figure it out! Unfortunately, she loves bitter apple... I have yet to find one thing she will not continuously lick - she has a crazy tongue!

Here's some background on Sierra... We've had her since she was 6 months old. She has terrible separation anxiety, so we keep her crated when we're not at home. She even shares the crate with her "brother" Jackson, which has helped her tremendously. She's a little less moody and misses us less when she can cuddle up to him. Since she becomes a husky monster when we're not home, we also don't include anything she can chew in the crate... no ropes, treats, toys, or even a liner. I thought she might be chewing her paws just because she's a chewer, but I'd like to think she would have started that habit years ago...

I've done some Google research and I'm thinking it might be more environmental than anything. I've ruled out food and treats - we feed her Nutro Ultra Large Breed and have for years. She only gets one rawhide per day and the occasional carrot or watermelon rind depending on what's in the house. We don't spray chemicals on our grass or plants. Our pest control company uses only pet-friendly substances on the outside of the house and is here only once per quarter. They just came last week and she's been chewing for longer. I thought maybe it might be allergies? I used to have an Australian Shepherd that was allergic to human dander the way people are allergic to cats/dogs.... maybe she's allergic to something in the house? I don't know!

I appreciate any insights if folks have had trouble with their huskies. Sierra just wants to feel better!

Pollen allergies are the most common reasons for itchy paws, belly, and ear infections. Frequent baths with a non-detergent shampoo that does not strip the natural oils off of the hair coat is the best option for maintaince. Better that than steroid medications like Prednisone and the like IMO.

hypers987 wrote:

Pollen allergies are the most common reasons for itchy paws, belly, and ear infections. Frequent baths with a non-detergent shampoo that does not strip the natural oils off of the hair coat is the best option for maintaince. Better that than steroid medications like Prednisone and the like IMO.

Amen to that. It would have to be a dire situation before I'd use Prednisone on my Huskies again.

Completely agree! My parents treated our shepherd with prednisone and although she coughed and sneezed less, you could tell she was a different dog on the drugs. I'll start bathing them more frequently. Do you think washing her paws more frequently might help as well?

Paw chewing definitely sounds like an allergy to something. Check into her food and make sure there hasn't been any formula changes recently before completely ruling that out. Sometimes all it takes is for them to add just one more ingredient. Otherwise, I'd think the only thing it could be is environmental and with the season changing, the pollen idea seems very possible as well. I don't have any experience with treating it so I would say follow the advice of the previous posters since they know much more than I do. I have heard of people putting on the dog booties to keep their dogs from messing with their paws so if you can find a way to keep those on her, it might help a little with preventing her from chewing. Good luck!

My Roxie does this. She always has. She gnaws at her paws/wrists and has worn some of her fur off on the wrists. She never cuts herself or bleeds from it.

She is also an anxious dog. I asked the vet about it and his first instinct was fleas or allergies But he checked her over and she looked perfect. He then said some dogs just do this out of anxiety and not to worry about it.

Roxie is now 5 and still gnaws at her paws, always has. I just accept that it is the way that she is.

As for allergies, I'd watch this winter and see if the behavior changes. Allergies should subside in the winter. Anxiety probably will not.