Licking Feet - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

pinkteaji · 02-20-2013, 05:14 PM

So my 21 month old spoo Shelton is licking his feet constantly and its his two back feet. He has done this before but that was because he had razor burn so we've been shaving the bottom of his feet with a 10 blade.
But, this time, we didn't shave his feet and he was licking it anyway. His feet were a little fuzzy but it wasn't overgrown at all and they were clean.

He was licking it so much and it was very wet and red. So, we cleaned the feet, dried it with cold air, and then shaved the hair because we wanted to see if there was anything there on his skin or any signs of more irritation other than just the redness (that was due to him licking). However, there was nothing. He continued to lick his feet (I was in class), and it got so bad that the bottom of his back feet became super red and raw. So, we cleaned it again, sprayed some anti-septic spray and wrapped it with vet-wrap to prevent him from getting to it.

After we wrapped it, I guess because he couldn't get to the back ones now, he's now licking his front paws and occasionally his thigh. Is this a sign of stress or something else? Just thought I'd get other people (more qualified and with more doggy experience) opinion first. His health seems perfectly fine and he has two dogs to play at home. He is on Taste of the Wild Wetlands Formula and he's been on this since September of last year (to help him gain weight).

If anyone has an idea of why he might be doing this, please feel free to comment

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

JudyD · 02-20-2013, 05:36 PM

I've heard that can indicate an allergy. May be time for a trip to the vet, if he's damaging his skin.

Indiana · 02-20-2013, 05:54 PM

You might want to take him to the vet just to rule out anything else, but sometimes dogs just get into the habit of licking their feet; my vet said it's like how some people bite their nails. My lovely little Bedlington licked her feet, and so did my pit bull; I waited too long to address it. By the time the vet had ruled everything out and we realized it was just a habit, the Beddie was so addicted to licking her feet it was almost impossible to stop her! (My pit bull had allergies, so that was probably why she did it) So you might want to put socks on her now, or those little rubber booties...maybe bitter apple?

pinkteaji · 02-20-2013, 07:53 PM

It's just weird for me because he didn't do it before and all of a sudden he's doing it now. I get this weird feeling that he's stressed out (hvent taken him iut for a walk but he does play with the other two dogs we have) but I will be taking him to the vet soon. I also realized my sister bought him the wrong kind of TOTW. We usually get wetlands but she got the one with the salmon in it. Not sure if that can cause a big difference but I'm hoping that's what it is but we'll see with the vet

thanks for your advice and ill keep you guys posted. Also still feel free to post in what you may think the reason for his feet licking. I'm always interested in everyone's opinions

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Poodlemama99 · 02-21-2013, 07:34 AM

It could be OCD behavior and the feet licking is his coping mechanism. My Lila had OCD and licked her feet when stressed. When we tried to break her of that she licked the carpet. It was sad. We tried doggie Paxil but she had reactions to it so the poor girl just always had red feet.

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Poodlemama99 · 02-21-2013, 07:35 AM

Based on his age it could definitely be OCD. It usually shows up in adolescents or young adults just like in people. Ask your vet.

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Lily's-Mom · 02-21-2013, 08:05 AM

It could be allergies, especially since you stated he's eating a different food, or it could be boredom. But I'd have a vet check him out since licking so much that his skin is raw.

georgiapeach · 02-21-2013, 12:54 PM

I'd suspect the food, if it recently changed. My westie mix goes NUTS licking her feet when she's allergic to something in her kibble, until they're bright red. Her ears also turn bright red inside. It took quite awhile to find one she can tolerate (California Natural Salmon and Peas). Some possible irritants: grains, potatoes (esp. white), alfalfa (if also allergic to grass), grass eating protein sources (if also allergic to grass).

Other possibilities: a change in laundry detergent, floor cleaner, shampoo, yard treatment chemicals, etc.

pinkteaji · 02-21-2013, 12:57 PM

We'll be going to the vet hopefully this saturday if his behavior doesn't clear up by then (that's also when I have free time to take him to the vet). His feet looked a little better today (because I wrapped it with vet wrap so he couldnt get to it) so we went on a 1 hour and 30 minute hike-

lol as I was typing this, he started licking again. Looks like vet visit on Saturday and I'll ask them about OCD. Will keep you guys posted; thank you so much for your advice and thoughts!

schnauzerpoodle · 02-21-2013, 04:01 PM

It could be allergy. It could be OCD or let's say the licking has become a habit. I don't wrap when the site is licked/chewed raw. I spray apple cider vinegar/water solution on it a few time a day and let it air dry. It stings at first but the redness is gone within a few days. Put a cone on him so that he can't lick.

Every time after I shave my dog's feet and fact, I put some Coat Handler Skin Works on there.