Roxy nibbling on her claws & hips - YorkieTalk.com Forums

roxybc · 01-16-2010, 05:00 PM

So lately (in the last 6 monthsor so) I've noticed that Roxy has been chewing and nibbling on her toe nails / claws. For as long as I can remember (she's 1 1/2) she's nibled her feet - especially at night. I always thought she was just cleaning them. Tonight (and one other night several months ago) I found a toe nail / claw on the floor. It's not an entire nail, but kind of like an outter casing of the nail. It's the tip part and then the sides of the nail. I just googled dogs biting their nails and one of the results said it could be because she has allergies to something. We feed her one of the best foods in the UK (Burns mini bites), so I don't know if she's allergic to something in her food, or something in general, or even allergic to anything at all. It seems like she nibbles on her paws the most, but occasionally she'll nibble on her back side and hip area (but not for long) and she'll also scratch her neck and ears a lot.

Does anyone know why she does this? Is finding a nail on the floor anything to be concerned about? Should we take her to the vet? Will it be worth it? Taking her in costs £30 ($55), and I don't want to go if it's not necessary.

dwerten · 01-17-2010, 07:19 AM

sounds like food allergy can you link the ingredients? how old is she as allergies can start from age 6mos to 3 years - what was she eating before and was she itching if not i would go back to previous food -

mimimomo · 01-17-2010, 12:56 PM

Our vet said food allergies are very rare, so they check for fleas first. It could be fleas...flea saliva causes an allergic reaction. It tends to be on their paws, rear area, neck & ears. When outdoors, a flea can hitch a ride (I've seen one jump on Mimi girl

)...pesky pests, hate 'em.

dwerten · 01-17-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Our vet said food allergies are very rare, so they check for fleas first. It could be fleas...flea saliva causes an allergic reaction. It tends to be on their paws, rear area, neck & ears. When outdoors, a flea can hitch a ride (I've seen one jump on Mimi girl

)...pesky pests, hate 'em.

yeah food allergy is only 10% of the time but if it starts after a food switch usually the food. Flea allergy is only back half of dog not usually the paws

spalione · 07-10-2010, 12:43 AM

Bailey does the same thing as your Roxy! She is nearly 3 years old and I am noticing more and more that she chews her feet! She also gnaws on her hips mostly at night as well. I search her for fleas all the time and I can't find one on her. I just want to help her be comfortable. By the way, I have not changed her diet. I can't since she is a very picky eater. Anybody else have suggestions?

01-16-2010, 05:00 PM	#1
roxybc Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 83	Roxy nibbling on her claws & hips So lately (in the last 6 monthsor so) I've noticed that Roxy has been chewing and nibbling on her toe nails / claws. For as long as I can remember (she's 1 1/2) she's nibled her feet - especially at night. I always thought she was just cleaning them. Tonight (and one other night several months ago) I found a toe nail / claw on the floor. It's not an entire nail, but kind of like an outter casing of the nail. It's the tip part and then the sides of the nail. I just googled dogs biting their nails and one of the results said it could be because she has allergies to something. We feed her one of the best foods in the UK (Burns mini bites), so I don't know if she's allergic to something in her food, or something in general, or even allergic to anything at all. It seems like she nibbles on her paws the most, but occasionally she'll nibble on her back side and hip area (but not for long) and she'll also scratch her neck and ears a lot. Does anyone know why she does this? Is finding a nail on the floor anything to be concerned about? Should we take her to the vet? Will it be worth it? Taking her in costs £30 ($55), and I don't want to go if it's not necessary. __________________ Thanks from Andrea - mommy to crazy Roxy! Read my blog here: www.madewithpink.com

01-17-2010, 12:56 PM	#3
mimimomo Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,874	Our vet said food allergies are very rare, so they check for fleas first. It could be fleas...flea saliva causes an allergic reaction. It tends to be on their paws, rear area, neck & ears. When outdoors, a flea can hitch a ride (I've seen one jump on Mimi girl)...pesky pests, hate 'em. __________________ Jenny Mimi Momo Princess Turbo Madan Pin Brush: www.toplinepet.com

01-17-2010, 07:19 AM	#2
dwerten BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11,073	sounds like food allergy can you link the ingredients? how old is she as allergies can start from age 6mos to 3 years - what was she eating before and was she itching if not i would go back to previous food -

07-10-2010, 12:43 AM	#5
spalione Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: stevenson ranch, CA Posts: 20	Bailey does the same thing as your Roxy! She is nearly 3 years old and I am noticing more and more that she chews her feet! She also gnaws on her hips mostly at night as well. I search her for fleas all the time and I can't find one on her. I just want to help her be comfortable. By the way, I have not changed her diet. I can't since she is a very picky eater. Anybody else have suggestions?