6 Reasons Your Dog May Be Chewing Himself

It’s perfectly natural and normal for dogs to occasionally chew on their legs, feet, ears, and tails. This behavior is no different than when you scratch an itch — it provides relief.

However, if you notice that your dog is constantly chewing himself, it may indicate a deeper problem — particularly if the chewed area has become sore, red, inflamed, or furless.

Your dog could be chewing himself for any one of the following reasons:

Dry Skin

This can have a variety of causes. Take a look for flakes of dandruff and cracked, tough skin.

Fleas and other parasites

Parasites may also cause itchiness. Give him a good brush – with a good quality brush – and visually check for signs of common parasites.

Allergies

Dogs can have reactions to a wide range of things. If the behaviour is new, think about recent environmental changes.

Skin infections

This can be caused by hormonal imbalances, or bacterial or fungal infections. In the latter two cases, look out for a waxy discharge from his ears as well.

Aches and pains

Your dog could always have a small injury he’s trying to soothe. Dogs also react to orthopaedic issues by chewing.

Psychology

If your dog starts chewing a specific area of her body, it may simply be because he’s lonely, bored or restless.

In any event, excessive chewing is worth a visit to the vet, who can make suggestions for treatment and dietary and lifestyle changes.