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Why is my dog biting her paws and tail until they bleed?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed

My dog is biting her tail and paws badly, to where she bleeds. What could be the problem and what type of medicine is best to give her?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on June 16th, 2018

Poor Baby! Excessive biting or chewing at the paws, tail, or other parts of the body is most often caused by allergies, but could also be due to other skin problems such as a bacterial or fungal skin infection, fleas, or skin mites (mange). Treatment will depend on what the underlying problem is, so I would recommend taking her to the vet tomorrow for an exam. He/she can do some simple skin tests if needed to help diagnose the problem and get her started on appropriate medication to treat it. In the meantime, if she's making herself bleed, you may need to get an e-collar (plastic cone) for her to wear until you're able to see the vet. This will keep her from continuing to chew on herself and make the skin problem worse.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on July 26th, 2018

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. While I think anxiety is possible, I think allergies are more likely. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

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