Foot Chewing?

[eeturk]

Hi all! Hudson has recently started chewing on one of his feet. I have inspected the foot and there is no interdigital cyst or any bumps or cuts of any kind. I keep cleaning it, but he chews and chews on it and it's super red. What could cause this? He's on the same food as always, not itchy, and no other issues and it's just the one foot.

Is there anything I can buy to put on it? Should I be cleaning it with something special or soaking it? Thank you in advance!

 

[Cbrugs]

Story of my life. Could be allergies, food or environmental. Could be bacteria or yeast. You can try an apple cidar vinegar soak (I can't remember the vinegar to water ratio but you can find it online). There is also a povidone iodine soak. This one has worked better for Jax than the vinegar. You mix the iodine with water until it's the color of iced tea. Both require a soak of a few minutes, don't dry afterwards, just a pat.

 

[eeturk]

Story of my life. Could be allergies, food or environmental. Could be bacteria or yeast. You can try an apple cidar vinegar soak (I can't remember the vinegar to water ratio but you can find it online). There is also a povidone iodine soak. This one has worked better for Jax than the vinegar. You mix the iodine with water until it's the color of iced tea. Both require a soak of a few minutes, don't dry afterwards, just a pat.

Thank you!!! I have the ACV on hand so I'll try that first and then pick up iodine next time I'm out. You are incredibly helpful! This is new to me so I have no clue what to do!


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[Cbrugs]

Jax hates them both lol! I did the povidone iodine soak this morning and he knew exactly what was going to happen when he heard the water running. He kept running from me and I had to bribe him with treats in order to be able to grab him.

 

[eeturk]

Jax hates them both lol! I did the povidone iodine soak this morning and he knew exactly what was going to happen when he heard the water running. He kept running from me and I had to bribe him with treats in order to be able to grab him.

Haha that sounds like Hudson when we pick up the bottle of ear cleaner. He books it straight under the bed! We have to lure him out haha.


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[davidh]

It does sound like allergies, try the soaks as mentioned above and I hope that works.

 

[eeturk]

It does sound like allergies, try the soaks as mentioned above and I hope that works.

Thank you David! I just did one of them, it was quite a battle haha. Hopefully something works. I'm worried he might be reacting to the chemical sprays my apartment does on all of the plants/grass that he frequents


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[eeturk]

Also -- I read somewhere that if you mix baking soda and water and rinse their feet when they come in that can help to remove things -- does anyone have experience with this?


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[davidh]

I have never tried it, but it won't hurt to try.

 

[2bullymama]

along with the soaks... I used to always have to wipe banks' paws after each outing just with a cool washcloth -- otherwise she would lick/chew on her paws all day long. i also gave her Benedryl to help as she had a lot of environmental allergies (grass, trees, weeds etc)

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

Poor Hudson. Good luck with the soak, I hope it works!

 

[eeturk]

Thanks guys! I did two baking soda soaks, have been wiping his feet off after he comes in (thank you [MENTION=2]2bullymama[/MENTION] !) and put polysporin on his feet (at the suggestion of a vet student friend) and put little socks on him so he couldn't lick it. It only took one time with that and he hasn't been messing with them! Such a relief!


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[blushy]

Thanks guys! I did two baking soda soaks, have been wiping his feet off after he comes in (thank you [MENTION=2]2bullymama[/MENTION] !) and put polysporin on his feet (at the suggestion of a vet student friend) and put little socks on him so he couldn't lick it. It only took one time with that and he hasn't been messing with them! Such a relief!


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Hopefully I never have this issue because isabelle can get our socks off of our feet at command, she would never keep a sock on her own foot!

Glad he's feeling better, though!


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[eeturk]

So the feet chewing has persisted -- both of his little front feet are swollen and red from his chewing. I've tried all of the above suggestions, and the only thing that really seems to work is benadryl. Isn't it a strange time of year to develop allergies? I'd think he'd show these symptoms in the spring or summer. Anyone have experience with this? He was always totally fine before a few months ago when this started.

Could it be a behavioral thing? He's used to having me home ALL the time and now that I have a job he doesn't see me as much. He's clearly lonely and acts depressed, but I'm not sure if that would come out as foot chewing behavior. I think it's time for him to get a buddy.


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[Jakeyjake]

Erika you're hilarious! I just love your solution of getting a buddy. They do keep each other company. I have two beds next to each other for Jake and Stella and I would say 95% of the time they are in the same bed.


!

Jake's allergies are worse in the winter now that we have been through all the seasons a couple of times. He is a foot licker too. He is on allergy shots and I give him zyrtec in the day and benadryl at night. We have managed to keep it under control and I think the shots are actually helping because he used to also break out in hives and that hasn't happened for quite a while.
If you think he's experiencing separation anxiety you can try a thunder shirt. Maybe a dog walker could stop by and give him a walk when you're working??? Poor Hudson misses his mommy.

I think he would love a new buddy too!!!

 

[eeturk]

Erika you're hilarious! I just love your solution of getting a buddy. They do keep each other company. I have two beds next to each other for Jake and Stella and I would say 95% of the time they are in the same bed.

Jake's allergies are worse in the winter now that we have been through all the seasons a couple of times. He is a foot licker too. He is on allergy shots and I give him zyrtec in the day and benadryl at night. We have managed to keep it under control and I think the shots are actually helping because he used to also break out in hives and that hasn't happened for quite a while.
If you think he's experiencing separation anxiety you can try a thunder shirt. Maybe a dog walker could stop by and give him a walk when you're working??? Poor Hudson misses his mommy.

I think he would love a new buddy too!!!

Lol I have to come up with a viable reason that he "needs" one so that my mother and boyfriend will sign off on it!! Haha. I've been looking online for a male adult in my area -- lots of options for when we are ready.

I guess I will get some Zyrtec to give him since the benadryl knocks him out cold all day. I just think it's weird that the foot chewing started at over a year old and he has absolutely no other symptoms of allergies.

I wouldn't necessarily call it separation anxiety when I am gone. He just gets really sad when I start getting dressed in the morning and then pouts until I leave. When my boyfriend lets him out at lunch he's always sleeping and goes right back to bed, so he's not stressed just acting somewhat depressed. Then when I'm home he clings to me like a koala

I loooove jake and stella. I want him to have a cuddle/play buddy.


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[Squishy Walnuts]

I think you are right, he needs a sibling. I know if Wally was alone he wouldn't do so well either.

OMG! Love the snuggling pics of Jake and Stella!

 

[eeturk]

OH you guys. I've been very casually looking for a non-puppy male as I'm not ready just yet. I found Hudson's HALF BROTHER (!!) in a really bad situation. I am soooo tempted.


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