Hi All

My westie robbie has started to lick his front paws and is making the fur go really browny i am trying to stop him from doing this and have heard that apple cider vinegar stops them as they don't like the taste i am not sure whether you use this neat or dilute it to dip their paws in. i have managed to get some today from Holland and Barrett but don't want to use it until i know whether you dilute it or not.

Thanks
Helen

You really need to find out why he's licking his paws? Does he have mites between his toes? Daft as it might sound, are his anal glands full (this can sometimes cause paw-licking as a displacement activity)?

Hi Helen

As JG says you do need to know why he's licking.  Someone on here recently talked about itchy dogs flaring up again this month.  That's been my experience too, the summer season seems to feel much extended and it's having an impact on grass and tree pollens.

Try washing Robbie's paws in a weak solution of Hibiscrub after each walk, dry carefully - use a hair drier if he'll let you - and then observe.  The Hibiscrub wash will deal with the kind of irritants he's picking up outside and you'll soon see whether he's still bothered by his paws.  It may give you a clearer indication of what's troubling him.

I'm not sure about apple cider vinegar but dilute or not I suspect it will be uncomfortable if there is any break in the skin.  I'd assume the licking is a symptom of something else until you prove otherwise. HTH

My dogs love the taste of apple cider vinegar which they get in their food

My dogs also get Apple Cider Vinegar and love it but you can dilute it and wipe ears, paws ect with it.

You can also spray Robbie's feet with Dermacton. It seems to put them off foot-licking but doesn't sting.

Never heard of this dermacton how does it work in putting them off of licking their feet?

I have had him checked at the vets and they said there is nothing wrong with the skin they seem to think its more boredom? But he has 2 long walks per day then i do his dog training with him every evening when i get in from work so i cannot seem to think that it can be boredom!!!

Helen

http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/acvfordogs.html

> Never heard of this dermacton

http://www.aromesse.com/pages/petnat/dermacton.php

Not sure why it works but we gave it a go with our old boy who is a confirmed foot-licker and I was very pleased with it. Have a read and see what you think. I put the apple cider vinegar on their dinners.

Hi

I have been to the vets with him just to get his paws checked and they said there is nothing wrong his skin is fine and not inflamed, the vets thinks it may just be boredom and that it will pass with time, he gets 2 long walks per day plus i train him most days for his dog training so i cannot believe he is bored!!!

Helen

Hi

Have just looked on the website thanks for that, did you use the cream or the spray on your dog and how long did you use it for before they stopped licking? Do you have to use it every day or just when you see them starting to lick again?

Helen

Dermacton is great if there is a skin condition to treat - I've used it on a dog who gets itchy with allergies.  It is supposed to minimise licking but it will not deter a persistant dog.  (Rather like my daughter who still bites her nails, even after all the bitter stuff you can paint on!!).

Dermacton does a great job on my dog, and it's one of the things I wouldn't be without, but it does seem to send him a bit loopy.  He runs around wiping himself on the carpet and curtains.  It doesn't sting (I've tried it on me more than once) so I can only imagine it's something to do with the aroma.  It's quite sharp and smells like lemon balm. The spray is worse than the cream for this effect so I tend to spray him outside

I'm not sure I'd use it only to deter licking.  If the AC Vinegar is recommended for this purpose then may be worth putting some in a spray bottle so it doesn't make Robbie's paws too wet.  If you can ask him to stop when he is licking I'd try that too, I stop mine from scratching.  Giving him something else to focus on will help also.

Good luck

Hi Helen

I use the spray on my boy. I use it if I see him licking and it seems to have an immediate effect. They say it has a soothing as well as deterrent effect. It seems to do the trick for a day or so but doesn't stop him permanently. He seems to have phases of doing it. He has no diagnosed allergies and it's not a major problem. If I was going to be out for a while, I suppose it might be worth spraying him before I went just in case, but I haven't tried using it that way.

Good luck with Robbie whatever you decide to do.