What's wrong with your dog if he keeps chewing off the hair on his front legs?

1. 93

   akirchnerposted 12 years ago

   What's wrong with your dog if he keeps chewing off the hair on his front legs?

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2. 60

   TimeToGoBeyondposted 12 years ago

   Define chewing the hair off the legs a little more please. Did this recently just begin? If so, it is Summer months and typically animals lose their hair more often - itch/chew more because hair is falling off.

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3. 82

   PaulaKposted 12 years ago

   My dog is always licking his front paws in the summertime. He has a grass allergy and this causes the obsessive compulsive behavior.

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4. 93

   akirchnerposted 12 years ago

   Time to Go Beyond - it has been going on since last September so quite some time.  He is gnawing the hair down to practically nonexistent in strips going up his front legs. 
   
   I think it might be a food allergy but wondering if anyone has seen this in a malamute before?
   
   He is my beautiful long coat and he is just destroying his poor beautiful legs.
   
   Paula K - he is hardly ever on grass, so I don't think that it is but I do think it's an allergy.  I'm hoping food but trying to figure out which food - that is the trick!

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5. 75

   Katharellaposted 12 years ago

   Look for ticks or check for bites! (and allergies as suggested) but my dog did that for a long time until I put socks on her feet and just told her "stop licking toes or you get doggie socks" and after about a week of that she hated doggie socks lol so it can become obsessive if you don't nip it in the bud somehow! There's always dry skin too! But they WILL lick it until it bleeds, so put the neosporin on it, a good wrap and old socks, and don't let them out of your site! If they start.. say "I seen that" and if their head goes down like GUILTY.. sometimes they will stop. Good luck.

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6. 0

   Norah Caseyposted 12 years ago

   My dog has an allergy to wheat, and was doing something very similar when it started to cause her significant problems. Did you change his diet recently? Of course, allergies can arise at any time and dog food makers sometimes change their formulas, but usually allergies arise from exposure to new substances/foods.

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7. 72

   Naomi's Bannerposted 12 years ago

   This can be a sign of anxiety, immune difficiency, thyroid issues.  I would definately take him to the vet to check it out.  I had one with a thyroid issue which affected the immune system which stopped his ability to fight off allergens hence the chewing.  He chews his paw pads until they were bloody and it was horrible.  He would cry but would continue to bite even though it hurt.

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8. 56

   consentinoposted 12 years ago

   Time to maybe call or take your dog into the vet.  There has to be something wrong your pet keeps chewing his legs.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   petsareagift.com

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9. 0

   vinsanityposted 12 years ago

   There is something that the dog doesn't like or something that is irritating them. It could be something to do with the skin or could be fleas.

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10. 82

    Bukarellaposted 12 years ago

    If you rule out health related issues, it sounds like it could be anxiety (or boredom) induced behavior.
    
    Does your dog get enough exercise? Is it tired out in a positive way? How is your malamute entertained during the day? What's happening before you see him chewing on his legs' fur? I'd try to figure out a pattern to what's causing him to chew.
    
    The longer such obsessions go on for, the harder it will be break the habit. I would consult not only with a vet, but also with a dog behaviorist.
    
    Best of luck!

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11. 60

    JherusiaLheanposted 12 years ago

    Regarding that, you must ask an expert to animal to determine if that implies something you must be bother.

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12. 59

    Jennifer Bartposted 11 years ago

    My dog had this problem the vet told me it could be caused by anxiety or by allergies he recommended I wash his paws after letting him go outside because  the taste of the grass on there feet is appealing to some dogs and they will lick and chew to taste the grass.

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