Why is my dog scratching her face and chewing her paws so much?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | 14 years and 3 months old | 12 lbs
My yorkie is scratching her muzzle on sharp corners where ever. She is healthy and has no fleas. She also sometimes chews her two front paws. We have tried everything. Please help- for Sophie.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 22nd, 2018
Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further rubbing or trauma. By your description, Sophie may have allergies. These can be frustrating to diagnose since there are many causes (fleas, foods, inhaled, contactor seasonal). You may not see any fleas, but in sensitive dogs, just one flea bite can trigger a reaction. Have your veterinarian physically examine Sophie. She may need antibiotics to treat any infection, steroids to stop the itch and antihistamines to prevent it from recurring. Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets and food elimination trials with your vet during the exam.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on November 11th, 2018
This is probably due to a severe allergy, although it could also be fleas or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat Sophie with a high quality flea treatment (e.g. advantage), then get her to the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try discovering the cause of the allergy. Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics). simultaneously you should start her on a prescription hypoallergenic diet for at least 2 months. Hopefully you will see some results after all this, if not you and your vet should consider putting her on a long term allergy treatment (Atopica or Apoquel).
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My 10-yr-old Yorkie is scratching and chewing his paws constantly. He is on Chlorpheniramine Maleate Tabs 4 mg. 1/2 tab 2x daily. In addition, I put him on a single protein food a couple of months ago (Kangaroo). Although that helped some, he is s
Poor pup! There are several reasons your dog could be constantly licking including allergies to something in the environment, food allergy or endocrine disease. Flea allergies are also very common in dogs but don't generally manifest in the feet. Each one of these problems is detected and addressed differently and I recommend to discuss with your veterinarian which one to start hunting down first and have your pup examined. Food allergy is best ruled out with a diet trial using a hydrolyzed protein- this will diagnose ALL types of food allergy. Endocrine diseases are detected with blood work. Environmental allergies are a little more difficult to detect but a response to therapy or a blood test can give an indication. Once you figure out and address the underlying cause, the itching should not come back. You veterinarian can also provide medications to stop the itching and make him feel better. Any secondary infections will also need to be treated to correct the problem. There are a c
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
What should I do to heal my dogs self inflicted scratch wounds on her face due to constant itching? I put wound and care spray on the open scratches and have been keeping a close eye on her and encouraging her to sleep so she can heal, but she keeps
First, place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further scratching. Keep it on her 24/7. You can take it off when she eats or drinks, but monitor her closely so she doesn't start scratching again. Next, have her seen by your veterinarian. The licking, biting, scratching and hair loss may be due to allergies ( https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies ). These can be difficult to diagnose since there are many causes (inhaled, environmental, food, fleas). Discuss allergy testing, food elimination trials and antihistamine use with your veterinarian. The doctor may prescribe medications to treat the wounds and stop the scratching. https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/4-great-strategies-for-relieving-your-dog-s-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/seasonal-allergies-in-dogs-what-you-need-to-know/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello I have a 1 yr old moorkie she seems to be pulling out her back leg hairs and won’t stop sratching her ears I have tired everything and she doesn’t have any ear mites help I have changed her food give her allergies pills nothing is working
The most common reason for biting near the back legs is fleas or flea allergy dermatitis (which is an allergic reaction to flea bites). I would recommend that you have Sophie examined by the vet to see if she has flea allergy dermatitis, since she may need antibiotics or anti-inflammatories to help clear the skin while you work on preventing further fleas. She needs to be on a good quality monthly flea preventative, your vet will know which work best in your area. If it is a food allergy, just changing from one food to another may not be good enough. Some dogs need to be on a prescription hypoallergenic dog food for a couple months and then slowly add in other foods to see what she could be allergic too. Or perform allergy testing. Dogs don't often get ear mites, she may have an ear infection caused by the allergies or just feels itchy on her head.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, Good afternoon I have some concerns about my yorkie po who is 2 years an 8 month old. He has been itching his face area for a couple of months now. now it has started to spread through-out his face. When he scratches the areas, it gets red and
Scratching can be caused by various reasons such as fleas, mites ,fungal infection, bacterial infection and allergies. the first 4 needs to be ruled out before we start treating for allergies. in order to do that first de-flea King with a high quality flea treatment such as advantage spot on, if it doesn't help - take him to the vet in order to check for/treat the other possibilities. If everything is ruled out, then an allergy treatment can be started. Usually an hypoallergenic food is a good way to start together with anti histamines. if it doesn't help - the best solution is a medication called Apoquel which treats allergies with great success and without side effects.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Sophie has had this for sometime now we haven’t changed her shampoo or food but it occasionally bleeds and is dry. What can this be or how can I treat this?? She is a full breed Boston terroir & an inside dog. Can it be the weather change? Please hel
This is probably due to a severe allergy, although it could also be fleas or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat Sophie with a high quality flea treatment (e.g. advantage), then get her to the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try discovering the cause of the allergy. Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics). simultaneously you should start her on a prescription hypoallergenic diet for at least 2 months. Hopefully you will see some results after all this, if not you and your vet should consider putting her on a long term allergy treatment (Atopica or Apoquel).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello. I have a 2year old, female maltipoo. She is licking her paws and rubs her face in the carpet a few time during the day and evening. I do know that her eating chicken bothers her more. I have cut chicken out of her diet for months now but,
Poor Winnie! It does sound like her face and paws are quite itchy. The most common causes of itching in these areas are food allergies, and environmental allergies. If she has food allergies, it's possible that switching her to a prescription hypoallergenic diet like Hills z/d or Purina HA may help, or even an over-the-counter limited ingredient diet if you prefer. For environmental allergies, prescription medication such as prednisone, Atopica, or Apoquel is typically needed to provide any significant relief. Allergy testing along with hyposensitization injections may also be an option for her, so you could speak to your veterinarian about this if interested. In terms of home remedies, there isn't much else that's likely to help - wiping her down with a wet washcloth each time she comes in from being outside can sometimes help, but it sounds like you're already doing this. So I would say the next step would be a vet visit to discuss options for diagnostics and/or prescripti
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
She has got itchyness and scratches her body with teeth
Check her for fleas or evidence of fleas such as flea dirt. This will appear as small black specks. When rubbed on a wet cotton ball, it will leave a rusty streak. If she has fleas, use a topical or oral flea preventative for at least 3 consecutive months, preferably year round. Options include Frontline, K9 Advantix, Vectra, Bravecto or Nexgard. The last two products are chewables. The rest are topicals. Vacuum everywhere Kaira has been and wash all bedding. Use an area treatment such as Knockout ES to prevent reinfestation. Other causes of itchiness include dry skin, mites, skin infection and allergies. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent chewing. See your veterinarian for an exam to diagnose the cause if there are no fleas or if fleas are eliminated and she is still itching.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog is 2yrs old he's a bijon/ shitsu he has developed sores on the back top of his neck and is constantly scratching his paws and thighs
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his 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 envir
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I Have a pug- male - that is about 5 years old. He keeps on scratching. I took him to the vet and he was prescribe a cortisone. I believe that in the long run this is not good for them. He was placed on vet food for this problem but it did not ma
You are correct that long term steroid use is not generally good for the body. The four main reasons for continued itching are allergies to fleas, allergies to something in the environment, food allergy or endocrine disease. Each one of these problems is detected and addressed differently and I recommend to discuss with your veterinarian which one to start hunting down first. Parasites are often ruled out with an oral medication like Simparica. Food allergy is best ruled out with a diet trial using a hydrolyzed protein. Endocrine diseases are detected with blood work. Environmental allergies are a little more difficult to detect but a response to therapy or a blood test can give an indication. Once you figure out and address the underlying cause, the itching should not come back. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin h
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Yuki is about 8 month. She is a white Pomeranian mix thinking mix with Chihuahua. I feed her Blue food. Yuki bits herself all the time. People always ask me if I shave her legs. Her paws, legs, and arms are red from all the bitting. Took her to two d
This sounds like a food allergy to me, though fleas are a constant threat and she should be on a good quality flea prevention from your vet. Food allergies in dogs are almost always due to a sensitivity to the protein source. I suggest a food trial. Get a food that has a protein source your dog has never been exposed to, such as venison or duck. Ask you vet about limited protein foods they recommend. Also, treat your house and yard for fleas, just to make sure this isn't a problem. Fleas are opportunistic and will hitch a ride indoors on your pant leg. Behavioral chewing is much less common, but in order to curb that possibility, make sure Yuki gets plenty of playtime and exercise, to tire her physically and mentally. Poms are smart little things and behavior problems often stem from very intelligent dogs not having enough to keep them busy, they need a 'job'. Teach her obedience, get her involved in agility, take her for walks, runs, arrange playdates with other dogs, take her with
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Have A Vet Question?
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
