[Susan D]

I have a 5 yr old black lab (Jake). In the last year or so he has been constantly licking and chewing his feet. We tried allergy shots (depomedrol) and it didn’t help at all. He is eating a chicken based dry dog food that has not wheat or corn. We add canned food and also cook chicken thighs and add that meat. We also have 3 other dogs, 2 german shepherds and a mixed breed. The others do not have this problem. I bought a natural formula supplement for dogs and he has been on it for about 3 weeks but I don’t see any results yet.

Any suggestions? My husband and I are retired so cost of food is an issue (of sorts).

[theBCnut]

Have you tried going chicken and grain free? It sounds like it could be a food reaction.

[Susan D]

My vet said it is not food related but is a contact allergy – probably to the grass. Since I live on a one acre fenced property, I don’t know how to keep him off the grass. The vet said that food allergies usually manifest on a dog’s stomach and cause a rash and loss of hair. None of that is happening to Jake.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Susan D:
If it is a contact allergy to grass that will be tough to keep him off of it; rinsing your dog off after each time in the grass and bathing regularly might help. Here are some sites with info on rinses that help with both contact allergies or food intolerance issues:

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2009/12/16/thirty-seconds-to-relieve-your-pets-itchy-paws.aspx

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/05/03/eating-these-foods-can-make-your-dog-itch-like-crazy.aspx

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/10/25/dog-foot-bath.aspx

[Author]

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