Using Dog Socks To Stop Paw Chewing

If your pooch constantly chews her paws, chances are that they're itchy and irritated. However, allowing her to chew on them will just irritate them more — causing them to itch more and prompting her to continue chomping. It's a vicious cycle, but it's one you can break with some ointment and a pair of dog socks! Here's how:

Step #1 - Apply veterinarian-approved anti-itch ointment to the pads of your dog's feet.

Step #2 - Slip the socks onto your dog's feet, one at a time, taking care not to wipe the ointment off her pads.

Step #3 - Keep the socks on your dog for at least two hours. Some dogs will tolerate the socks better and will be able to wear them all day. If your dog doesn't take to them well, though, keeping the socks on her for a minimum of two hours will give the ointment time to absorb into your dog's pads and start soothing them.

NOTE: Itchiness is usually the sign of a larger issue, such as allergies to food or environmental substances or another skin condition. Also, not all paw chewing is the result of itchiness, for example, it coule be a foreign object such as a burr or splinter could be lodged in his paw, or even canine anxiety. Before following these steps (or in addition to them), take your pup to vet to rule out possible alternate/underlying causes.

By Elle Di Jensen

References
DermaPaw: About Stay-Put Socks
Dog Paw Licking: Your Dog's Skin – What Helps, What Hurts
Petsmart: Pet Life Fashion Dog Socks w/ Rubberized Grips

About the Author
Elle Di Jensen has been a writer and editor since 1990. She began working in the fitness industry in 1987, and her experience includes editing and publishing a workout manual. She has an extended family of pets, including special needs animals. Jensen attended Idaho and Boise State Universities. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications.