Skip to content

Chewing on his toe nails

Behavioral Issues
  • I always notice my boy chewing and licking his foot, so I finally I examined his foot and noticed that he chewed his nails all the way down to were he might bleed. He is my first baby, so I am worried and dont know what to do! Has anyone have had this same problem?

  • My guy chews his feet daily, usually after a walk, as part of his self grooming routine. I don't worry about it unless he seems to be spending an inordinate amount of time on one foot. If so, I investigate to see if there is an obvious reason, e.g. a cut or similar. Is this attention only being paid to one foot, or all of them? If just one, perhaps there is a reason? Otherwise, if he is just "trimming his nails" and saving you the trouble, I wouldn't worry unless he actually does cause damage.

  • Thank you, eeeefarm! I love my boy so much that I worry easily!!

  • I find Kaiser chewing on his nails and licking his feet too, usually after being outside so must be grooming, if he is overly interested in one foot I will have a good look and distract him usually with some treat and once it's forgotten he leaves it, though he has never really chewed any bit of nail off. After our walks, we have a lot of broken glass on the footpaths and every so often the council will weed spray I will rinse his feet to check for problems. I also did worry when he did it at first, but now I know when it's normal and when it's something bugging him.

    Jolanda and Kaiser

  • Both Cara and Arwen keep their back toenails chewed appropriately short, but yeah if too short distract. You might even try using baby wipes when he comes in to wipe his feet down before he starts the licking.

Suggested Topics

  • Chewing problems

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    5k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    @Rocky1: Basenjis chew,this s a fact of life. It might sound like a crazy thing to do,but I bite my pups back. It teaches them that I'M THE BOSS ! It has worked for me for the almost 36 years that I've lived with the little beastys. You can call me crazy,or wrong I don't care Works for me,and my dogs all respect me,and love me. Kathryn Wow, Kathryn - that's funny! I'm sure you just nibble a little. Their feet smell like Tostitos, so just wondering -does the rest of the dog taste like a snack??? LOL
  • Need advice with random chewing while at work.

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    6k Views
    D
    Basenjis are known for chewing and even my older/elderly dogs must be crated because of it. I was hoping it would lessen as they got older-it has somewhat but not totally. They like to chew the cover on the sofa and chair! Jennifer
  • Chewing Toys

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    10k Views
    MacPackM
    With all this talk about elf, er, elk meat, is it time for everyone to re-read the (yes, true) story of Dogs in Elk??? If you have never read this old 'chat list' discussion, be sure and empty your bladder first. http://www.webtree.ca/tree/keeper/dogs_in_elk.htm
  • Odd hair chewing

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    RedVelvetLynxR
    Ha-ha! Denver will perch himself on the top of the couch above where my husband is sitting & try to chew-clean his eybrows in between licking his face off! :p
  • Phoenix chewing at his Paw ..

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    N
    My B chews her paw sometimes too..doesn't last long and its like she is cleaning herself so we just ignore it.
  • Wood Chewing

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    jys1011J
    spitfire THANKS! It looks like the mentholatem worked :) my poor table will not be chewed down to hobbit size HA!!