Dog Chewing His Nails??? Why?

[AnnShh]

We've had our foster dog since October. Over the past month or so, we've noticed he has been chewing his nails. He does it whether his nails have recently been cut or not. He shoves his nails into his mouth and just chews away (but has never done any damage).

He was recenty diagnosed with degenerative joint disease in his hind legs just below the hocks, but I'm not sure why that would lead to him chewing his nails.

Any reason for him to do this? Or do you think it's just a quirky thing he does?

 

[Jenn]

I'm not sure about nail biting, unless he is just looking for something to chew on. My dog licks his paws and nails a lot, and I think he's just looking for something to do. If I were to give him a chew toy or a big bone, he would be after that and not his paws. If you don't see anything wrong with his paws or a broken nail, I probably wouldn't worry. How about a big bone or new toy? If you haven't tried that, see if that takes his mind off his nails...

 

[AnnShh]

I'm not sure about nail biting, unless he is just looking for something to chew on. My dog licks his paws and nails a lot, and I think he's just looking for something to do. If I were to give him a chew toy or a big bone, he would be after that and not his paws. If you don't see anything wrong with his paws or a broken nail, I probably wouldn't worry. How about a big bone or new toy? If you haven't tried that, see if that takes his mind off his nails...

I didn't think of that... but we do have all sorts of chew bones and toys out for him- which he does chew on a lot. Maybe he's just bored when he does it? I should try getting a new toy and see if he stops chewing his nails.

 

[Show-MeChins]

i know you said that he does it even if they have been cut... but are they still long... is the quicks long? we see a lot of dogs come through that bite their nails... could be bored, could be long...whether is is long nails or long quicks

 

[AnnShh]

i know you said that he does it even if they have been cut... but are they still long... is the quicks long? we see a lot of dogs come through that bite their nails... could be bored, could be long...whether is is long nails or long quicks

The quicks are long but the nails go all the way up to the quick. He is sedated when doing his nails, so they get them as short as they can go.

 

[tristanichole]

Just to let you know...if you ever come across this again with any other dogs, they are either doing it just for something to do, or they are grooming themselves. I have a dog that NEVER...and I mean NEVER needs her nails done...I made the mistake or cutting one just once to try and get her used to things touching her feet...she bled for hours. She keeps her own nails very short...I didn't realize that she keeps them short enough to be right at the quick. I wouldn't ever worry about a dog chewing down too far though...they'll stop before it hurts. She's never made herself bleed.

 

[equus_peduus]

Talk to your vet about allergies as a possibility. That's always the first thing that comes to mind when I hear about a dog chewing or licking at its feet. A normal dog won't lick at their feet almost at all.

 

[tristanichole]

Yeah, licking I would ask about. My dog doesn't lick her feet, just bites her nails down.

 

[RDZCRanch]

Talk to your vet about allergies as a possibility. That's always the first thing that comes to mind when I hear about a dog chewing or licking at its feet. A normal dog won't lick at their feet almost at all.

I agree with this. The first thing I would check would be allergies. It's not normal for dogs to chew their paws and they don't chew their nails down either. If their nails are short it's probably from being worn down on concrete which is common. Licking happens when the dog is in the beginning stages of a dermatological allergy...after that it becomes excessive and they chew like crazy. I would talk to a vet and see about changing your dog's food or having him make sure it's not a more serious allergy.

 

[cintistatern2005]

my dogs chew their nails when they know they are getting long. I cut them (you have to make sure they are cut enough) and they quit.

 

[tristanichole]

It's not normal for dogs to chew their paws and they don't chew their nails down either. If their nails are short it's probably from being worn down on concrete which is common.

I'm disagreeing here...they aren't being worn down on the concrete, I see her do this probably once a week. She's been doing it since she was a puppy. She's never let me touch her nails without there being big drama over it and I've never had to touch her nails because she chews them down. They've never been to the length of touching the sidewalk, so that is impossible in this case. There's nothing wrong with her, she just chooses to do her own nails. Like I said, she doesn't lick her paws at all so its not an allergy...plus, she's a year and a half now and if she were harming herself I would have seen so by now.

my dogs chew their nails when they know they are getting long. I cut them (you have to make sure they are cut enough) and they quit.

I've never had the chance to cut Ma-nee's nails. The only time I ever had to do it was when she was a few weeks old and her nails were still able to be cut with toe nail clippers. But since they started to grow stronger she's taken care of it herself...
She was also taught to get her own water until she broke the lever on the fridge :laughitup:
I call her my self serving dog

 

[alli713]

Some dogs do chew their nails. I knew a Rottweiler that chewed his nails. The owners never had to cut his nails, and they were so far back that it wouldn't have come from normal walking on cement either.

 

[tristanichole]

Some dogs do chew their nails. I knew a Rottweiler that chewed his nails. The owners never had to cut his nails, and they were so far back that it wouldn't have come from normal walking on cement either.

:hmm: Maybe it's a Rottie thing!? She's half Rottie. And exactly, they are so far back that they can't even touch the cement.