Chewing...?

[tropicalsun]

I hope this is the right spot to post this.

Our roughly 2yr old GSD is starting something we need to stop and we're not sure exactly how. He's starting to chew himself...usually his feet/paws, and also excessively licking himself. This is a fairly new behavior, started in the last week or so. Re-directing with his nyla-bone (his favorite chew) doesn't seem to be working. I am sure some of more experience GSD folks have a good solution for this....right?

Thanks.

[chelle]

I have NO idea, but by any odd chance, did you change food lately?

[BowWowMeow]

Allergies!

[tropicalsun]

No diet change. We've been feeding "Victor Active joint Health" since we got him. Maybe a snack?

[doggiedad]

maybe he needs a bath. what brand of snacks are you
feeding? what other snacks are you feeding? have you
checked for parasites? if it continues go to the Vet.
when you go to the Vet take a urine and fecal sample
with you. did any of the ingredients change in the
Victor Active Joint Health?

Originally Posted by tropicalsun

No diet change. We've been feeding "Victor Active joint Health" since we got him. Maybe a snack?

[LisaT]

What food, brand and type, are you feeding?

[onyx'girl]

Do you have humidity in your home? Dry air will cause dogs to itch. Bump up the oils & C. Though I agree, it sounds like allergies(possibly environmental)

[tropicalsun]

Thanks for all the responses.

Both dogs were bathed a few days ago (warm weather here in Houston)
Snacks usually are a peanut butter/kibble filled frozen Kong, rawhide or cube of cheese
Not sign of parasites.
Will check to see if Victor has changed ingredients...hadn't thought of that.

This does not seem to be "itchy" behavior, but more along the lines of some type of neurosis. He only does it when he's on his pillow hanging out with us, or when I invite him up on the couch with me (this is an every night at 10:30 thing). It seems that he wants to replace his "energy draining...I'm bored" chewing of his nyla bone with his own leg instead.

[onyx'girl]

Try an antler or other chewy. I thought Onyx's chewing was due to anxious personality. I put her on pred early on and she didn't chew at all, so I knew it was not an OCD type behavior with her. I don't recommend going to steroids however!
Maybe do a massage on him to see if it helps?

[LisaT]

OOps, I didn't realize that Victor Joint Health was a dog food and not a supplement...need to go look at the ingredients....

Okay.....

Beef Meal, Sweet Potato, Chicken Meal (A Natural Source of Glucosamine), Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Pork Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Dried Egg Product, Flax Seed (Source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids’) , Potassium Chloride, Dried Kelp, Natural Chicken Flavor, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Montmorillonite, Salt, Vegetable & Fruit Pomace (Carrot, Peas, Tomato, Celery, Beet, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Spinach, Cranberries, Blueberries), Pumpkin Seed, Blueberries, Apple, Spinach, Monosodium Phosphate, Yeast Extract, Dried Chicory Root, Yeast Culture, Vitamins ( Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Source of Vitamin B1), Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement (Source of Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source of Vitamin B6), Ascorbic Acid, Folic Acid, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Magntesium Amino Acid Chelate, Cobalt Carbonate), L-Lysine, Selenium Yeast, Lecithin, Choline Chloride, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Glucosamine HCL, Chondroitin Sulfate, Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid (Preservatives), Rosemary Extract.

Victor Premium Dog Food | GF Joint Health

LOTS of thinks in there that could be an allergen, from chicken, to peas, to alfalfa, to any of the many ingredients.

I would try a single protein, single carb food as a trial, particularly for paw chewing.