Nail Biting

[IzzyandWillie]

Willie has been biting his back nails. I took him to Petsmart last week for a trim and he freaked out so much that they only trimmed his front nails. It was horrible. :hissyfit: They had to muzzle him and I had to hold him. Since I've only had him a couple of months, I didn't want to traumatize him anymore, so I had them stop clipping. Yesterday, I noticed he was biting and tugging on one of his back nails. He was doing some serious chowing down. Is this something dachsies do when their nails are too long? Or is there another problem I am unaware of?

I am taking him to the vet today for a nail trim. Not going to Petsmart again. And....hopefully, I won't have to watch.:crsfnger:

[red&black]

My mother's chihuahua does her own "nail maintenance" by chewing them off when they get long (weird but true). She's done this for 14 years... I'm not even sure mom owns a pair of doggy nail clippers. So having seen this, I'd say it's possible he may be chewing the excess length off.

However, I would advise you to just double check his nails closely, to make sure there's nothing wrong with them (is the base of the nail red or puffy, is it torn past the quick, etc.).

[zoeysmom]

Foot chewing can also be a symptom of allergies:(

[Suzanne R]

Poor little guy - sounds like he was traumatized from nail trimming before - can you distract him with a yummy treat, or some peanut butter on a spoon or something to keep him occupied? Otherwise I don't know what to suggest - sending :rayz: :rayz: and :hug2: :hug2: for you.

[ems736336]

My Nidgie chews his nails on a regular basis. When ever he does, I trim all of his nails and then he stops. I just took it as a gentle reminder that his nails were too long and they needed to be trimmed. After I trim, he doesn't do it again for a couple of weeks and then it is time to trim again.

[EdieBird]

GingerSnap was chewing her back nails yesterday, then when she tore off at a full gallop I heard her nails catching in the carpet. (boy they grow fast!!!) I trimmed them and no more chewing.

She's funny about getting her nails done though. She wants to lay on her back and stare up at me while I clip, then she'll hold perfectly still. Any other way, she wiggles and tries to chew the clippers. (surely not good for little puppy tongues!)

[GromitsMom]

Gromit has been chewing at his dew claw (sp?) nails as of late, they are the only ones which need trimming as our long walks seem to wear the others out. I hate triimming his nails about as much as he hates it but like the rest of the posters, after I have trimmed them, he usually stops. Good luck with your next round of nail trims, I know it's a pian for sure!

[IzzyandWillie]

Update: I took Willie to the vet and let him do the dirty deed. Vet is a good friend of mine (or was :D ) He said that some dogs just hate having their nails trimmed and that it probably never will get better. He said he would be glad to trim his nails anytime. He took Willie into the back room to do it. At least, I didn't have to be traumatized, but poor Willie hated it. I could hear him barking and whimpering. He's not chewing on his nails anymore, so it must have been a grooming thing.

And another thing, Vet was amazed at how great Willie's fur looked now. I've had him about two months now and he was a little worn out ragamuffin when I first got him. Lots of bald spots, very insecure. Vet said good food and lots of good loving can do wonders for a little one. Oh yeah :happy030: