obsessive paw licking

honeys humans · obsessive paw licking

hi everyone, wondered if any of you had any tips or ideas about obsessive paw licking by a 5yr old female ESS. she belongs to my parents who honey and i are staying with at the moment. i dont think this is health related as vet has given the all clear. she does it at certain points in the day usually when its time to sit and relax at lunchtime or in the evenings after dinner.
have tried everything to distract her but this only works briefly before she starts again (normally when shes taken herself somewhere else to try and hide what shes doing lol)
any advice/ideas much appreciated please Wink

thanks

johnhod

How used is she to having you and Honey around? Could be a stress/comfort thing

honeys humans

we've been staying here 4 mths now john, shes done it for years apparently, had hoped honey would distract her as they play so nicely together, but it's the quiet times when everyone is sitting relaxing that she starts. it seems to be very much a comfort thing, is almost like she gets into a trance and just can't help herself. thought i'd be able to help her overcome it but i'm now as dumbfounded as my folks are lol Confused

best wishes

Patricia

Paw chewing and licking is a stress " thing".
It could be now it has become a habit? Embarassed

honeys humans

thanks pat i think you're right there, it's something that has definately become a habit, i know she was very poorly when she was young with lungworm, perhaps it's something that stems from that Confused

shes fit, happy and healthy now, when shes chasing seaguls accross the beach you'd never know she had a lung removed Smile

johnhod

doganjo

You could try what we do with humans who suck thumbs, bite nails etc (my failing) - put horrid tasting stuff on it! Twisted Evil