Dog Licks Feet?

[evelyna]

My dog seems to enjoy licking the top of his feet. Does this have a meaning?

[JR0579]

My dog seems to enjoy licking the top of his feet. Does this have a meaning?

It could be itching if he's doing it all the time. Did you check it for redness or swelling ?

[pbrdog]

Luke would lick and then start chewing on the tops of his feet. I found out he has a chicken allergy. He stopped doing it when I stopped feeding him food with chicken in it. It takes awhile though to get the chicken out of thier system, so it's not an overnight process.

[DiggityDogs]

sometimes dogs also do this when they're bored. I think it's sorta like a human chewing their fingernails, it just becomes a habit. It could also definitely be caused by a food allergy. either way it can cause a sore called a lick granuloma, which can leave a nasty scar. I'd ask your vet and maybe try a holistic dog food with a different protein source, so if you use chicken, try lamb or beef. There are also fish and potato foods out there that are really good. Try Wellness or Eagle Pack, or there are several others that are very good. Just check the ingredients and make sure there's no corn or wheat, as these can often contribute to allergies as well. The fewer the ingredients on the list the better.
good luck!

[BloodhoundGirl]

My dog seems to enjoy licking the top of his feet. Does this have a meaning?
It could be an allergy to somenthing or a habit.

[Rio&Nickysmommy]

Rio is a big paw licker and you have to be careful with the excessive licking. Rio's is due to allergies from what we can tell. He is doing better now but certain times of the years he can make me crazy. I put mutt lucks on him at times to stop him. Because when I dont like when I went away a while ago I came home and his one paw was very bad and it got infected. hence he went to vet had his paw shaved. I almost passed out when I saw it , it was horrible. Was given major atibiotics and sprays and atarax which I dont think works well. Atarax seems to have very little effect. Anyway he is good now. But I would just check those paws daily and if you see anything bring them to the vet.
RIo&Nickysmommy

[BloodhoundGirl]

Liberty licks his feet. It's probably a habit for him now. I agree watch out for obsessive paw licking.

[chacha]

My dog licks his feet too. He has allergies. He doesn't have food allergies though. He is allergic to dust and mold. I would take him to the vet and try a antihistimine first. Food allergies are less common than inhalent allergies.

[DiggityDogs]

In my experience, food allergies are actually VERY common. A large number of dogs are allergic to corn, wheat, soy and other grains. However, in the situation where you have a dog licking his feet, it's likely that it's an environmental allergy, like grass or pollen, since his feet would be coming into contact with those type of allergens on a regular basis. Also I think it's pretty rare for an 'inhaled' allergen to manifest itself as a skin problem- you might see hives or another immediate reaction, but often these types of allergies are manifested as sinus/eye/nose drainage.

-But yes, I would still suggest having the vet look at it...

[chacha]

In my experience, food allergies are actually VERY common. A large number of dogs are allergic to corn, wheat, soy and other grains. However, in the situation where you have a dog licking his feet, it's likely that it's an environmental allergy, like grass or pollen, since his feet would be coming into contact with those type of allergens on a regular basis. Also I think it's pretty rare for an 'inhaled' allergen to manifest itself as a skin problem- you might see hives or another immediate reaction, but often these types of allergies are manifested as sinus/eye/nose drainage.
I was just saying that food allergies are not as common as inhalent allergies. Yes, food allergies are common. Inhaled allergens do manifest itself as a skin problem. Its called Atopic Dermatitis. The first sign of inhalent allergies is licking the feet,itchy skin, inflammed skin and ear infections. If allergies are severe and left untreated it will turn into a skin infection. Contact Dermatitis would be when they are allergic to grass and walk on it. Then they would most likely lick there feet. My dog is allergic to mold ,dust,maple pollen,corn pollen,aspen pollen and rag weed. He has never had sinus,eye or nose drainage. Those are human symptoms of allergies. The symptoms of enviromental and food allergies are almost identical. You can assume its a food allergy and try many different foods and spend months trying to figure it out. The course of treatment for dogs who are itching is usually a antihistimine first,if it works great! If not, a food trial is next. It is best to try a perscription diet like IVD or Z/D. The protiens are broken down so small that the body doesn't recognise them. Then introduce different foods to see if they are allergic to food. It takes a few months. If they are still itching then they pull out the big guns,such as a steroid. I just think to many people assume any itching is food related. But with everything I have read and having 2 allergy dogs for years,this is my experience. Enviromental allergies is more comman than food allergies. It is best to bring the dog to the vet and let them figure it out.

[DiggityDogs]

Those are human symptoms of allergies.
My dog has allergies that cause eye drainage. Ocasionally he gets hives, but has chronic eye drainage due to them. We have not done testing to find out exactly what the allergen is, because it's not a severe reaction.

The symptoms of enviromental and food allergies are almost identical. You can assume its a food allergy and try many different foods and spend months trying to figure it out. The course of treatment for dogs who are itching is usually a antihistimine first,if it works great! If not, a food trial is next. It is best to try a perscription diet like IVD or Z/D. The protiens are broken down so small that the body doesn't recognise them. Then introduce different foods to see if they are allergic to food. It takes a few months.

IVD and Z/D are horrible foods. This is a common way to determine food allergies, but I'd never feed either of these. Z/d, made by science diet, while this formula doesn't have the grains that other science diet products have, it's still loaded with chemicals. I have seen a LOT of dogs come in with allergies, some so bad that they had ear infections that were bleeding and covered with green goo. A month on eagle pack and they're almost back to normal. The elimination diet you are talking about is a common practice here, and a good way to find what's causeing the itch...

If they are still itching then they pull out the big guns,such as a steroid.
It would have to be a matter of life and death before I allow a vet to inject my dog with a steroid.

I just think to many people assume any itching is food related. But with everything I have read and having 2 allergy dogs for years,this is my experience. Enviromental allergies is more comman than food allergies. It is best to bring the dog to the vet and let them figure it out.

I don't think that too many people assume this... I used to think exactly how you did. My boxer has been through a lot and was on courses of antihistimines and the whole bit when I worked at the vet's office. The more I've seen in the last year, the more I feel that food allergies are extremely common and often overlooked. Far too many people feed their dogs crap like science diet or pedigree or whatever- you name it. I don't know if they don't want to spend the money on good food or if they don't really know what's good, but I've seen a lot of dogs with some DRASTIC changes when being switched off of these types of foods. I'm glad that you found something to help your dogs, don't get me wrong. I don't think it's wise to assume the allergy is one or the other, and we both agree it's best to take them to the vet. The problem that I've encountered in my area is that most vets don't know squat about nutrition except for what the Hill's sales rep told them. I worked at a teaching hospital and you'd be shocked to find out that the Dr.s took the exact same 'nutrition' course that I took when the sales reps came in and explained what each hills diet is for. You have to remember that a vet's office is still a business, and if they carry hills, that's what they're going to sell you. If you can find a holistic vet, they're morelikely to be able to help you with a food allergy issue, but they're few and far between in these parts. I personally would rather go for a full elimination diet before giving my dogs drugs of ANY kind, even antihistimines are a last resort in my book. if it's necessary for the comfort of the dog that's fine. but if it can be solved with a simple food switch, why medicate??

[chacha]

Changing foods does nothing for inhalent or contact dermatitis.And meds do nothing for food allergies. I think doing everything possible to avoid steroids is a great idea, But unfortunetly it might be the only option. I think meds can be used to extend the quality of life. Antihistimines are safe to use in dogs with not many side effects. It all better than nothing. I agree with you about the crappy dog foods out there. Z/D and IVD may have chemicals in them but for short term to find the food intolerance is worth it. Even Holistic dog foods have chemicals in them. I am done now. Sorry for going on about this. Just do whats right for you and your dog.