Vet Minute: Why Do Dogs Chew Their Legs

Last updated: February 25, 2020

Why do dogs chew on their legs and how can you make them stop? In this Vet Minute, Dr. Marty Greer, Revival's Director of Veterinary Services, talks about dogs chewing or gnawing on their legs.
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Video Transcript

How do I stop my dog from chewing on his leg? Hi, I'm Dr. Marty Greer, Director of Veterinary Services at Revival Animal Health. Dogs chewing on their feet and legs is often a sign of allergies. In puppies, it may be a sign of skin mites. The best way to stop your dog from doing this is to meet with your veterinarian to determine the cause. In addition, limiting exposure to known allergens or washing your dog's feet before bedtime can reduce their discomfort. If this is insufficient to help your dog's comfort, see your veterinarian and speak to them about corticosteroids, Apoquel or Atopica. If you don't put an end to this habit, it can lead to bacterial or yeast infections of their skin. Mites can be diagnosed in puppies and adult dogs with a test called a skin scraping your veterinarian can perform. Successful treatment with miticides can be prescribed.

Marty Greer, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, has 35+ years' experience in veterinary medicine, with special interests in canine reproduction and pediatrics. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1981. She's served as Revival's Director of Veterinary Services since 2019.

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