My Dachshund bites/chews his toenails! Is this normal?

Here is what i found on another website
“Allergies is one of the most common causes of feet licking/chewing in dogs. Environmental and/or food allergies could be the underlying cause. I would speak with your veterinarian about screening for allergies and potentially starting a hypoallergenic diet for your dog if this is a consideration.

Pododermatitis, or foot infections, are also somewhat common in dogs. These infections are usually caused by a fungus (yeast) or bacteria in the environment. When it is humid out, these infections are more common, because they thrive in moist, humid environments. Dogs with hairy feet are predisposed to these infections if the hair is not kept short between their toes and pads. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you if this is the culprit causing the chewing.

Anxiety and boredom are the last two more common causes of dogs licking and chewing at their feet. Just like people, some dogs will chew on their nails when they are nervous or anxious. There are mild medications that can be used to decrease the amount of anxiety your dog experiences, and hopefully diminish the clinical signs. Talk to your veterinarian about this possibility as well. Nail biting is not normal and if it is anxiety-related, it would be good to slow the progression of the anxious behaviors while your dog is still young, because it can escalate as he/she gets older.

Boredom can also cause some nail biting and feet chewing behavior. These dogs are typically high energy dogs that need lots of exercise and stimulation. Kong toys and Nylabones are good for this type of dog, to keep them occupied when they are not interacting with other dogs or people. ”

Liking and biting at the feet is a classic form of allergy expression in dogs (they don’t sneeze and get itchy eyes like we do). If your vet wants to put the dog on steroids, ask for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist (long term steroid use is bad).

@syz and cheeb,
Bailey has no allergies this I know as the vet had a panel (so to speak) done him because of his weight, make that OVER weight! The climate we reside is often warm and we keep the property very clean. Back lawn is well manicured and rose beds are as well. Oh!! And he doesn’t lick his paws only bites his toenails on front paws. My vet say he hasn’t heard of such a thing as a dog biting it’s nails and being a Dachshund, he’s pretty much lazy… He can often be found sleeping. He’s difinitely not a nervous dog by any means… Any other suggestions?

When you say that the vet ran a panel because of the dog’s weight, I presume you mean a thyroid panel. That does not check for allergies. The only test that can determine allergies is specific to allergy testing. While licking is more common than biting in allergy expression, it is not exclusive.

There is a possibility of an infection in the nail bed, but I presume your vet would have seen some sign of that.

It is possible that the biting is psychogenic (behavioral/emotional) and there are medications that can be tried (usually in the anti-depressant family) but I wouldn’t pursue that unless the condition is problematic.

Prolonged chewing and biting may promote bacterial/yest growth if the toes are staying wet for long periods of time.

Toes of a Dashunds should not stay wet. An infection is very likely.

Your dashund should be trained more

Bailey’s feet are not wet… He only bites his toe nails. I’m feeling between his toes right now and they are dry. If he sits in my lap, he’ll start chewing his nails! It’s crazy…