I've never seen this before - our dog bites his nails!?!

[Donnachaidh]

We adopted Chappy a few months ago (he's a chihuahua) and while he seems mellow enough, he bites his front nails regularly. His back nails are getting longer, and I went to clip them, and he went spastic on me. I was pretty stunned.

Is this just neurosis - or could he have had a bad spell that made him ultra-sensitive to anyone going near his nails? He's got a vet's appointment soon, and I'm going to let them handle the trimming. But I've never seen this before -- has anyone else?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. My cats frequently chew on their claws.

I think they are just removing loose or ragged bits. Maybe the dog is doing the same thing, although sharp claws are not as much of a necessity for a dog.

[Donnachaidh]

2. he chews on his nails till they are raggedy-looking

It's almost and ocd thing. We have a cat that took an instant dislike to him and when she harrasses him, we have a nail-biting episode after the dust clears.

It's kind of troubling to me.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Maybe it's more like human nail-biting.

The cat hassles him; he gets nervous and bites his nails. Can you keep him and the cat separated for awhile; see what happens?

[Donnachaidh]

6. That's what I'm thinking

I do try to keep them separate most times. But he chases her (usually when a human is there to protect him) and she occasionally does a stealth sneak up on him and whacks him in the butt. It would be comical if he wasn't so shaky after the episodes.

I'm hoping this stuff eventually stops. He's become great friends with the other cat. They play every day - and even share treats. Both the adversaries are rescues, and I won't get rid of them. I'll find a middle solution for all this.

[frogmarch]

4. My rescue poodle did that, and the vet said

that often dogs chew their nails and paws because of allergies. She suggested I give him 2 milligrams of children's Benadryl for a day or two to see if it helped - and it worked. He stopped biting and chewing his paws and nails.

I am sure there are are other reasons dogs do this, but allergies seemed to be the cause for my dog.

[Donnachaidh]

5. I'll have to ask the vet about that.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was allergies - it would be a relief actually. thanks!

[roody]

7. I chew mine too. We just enjoy it.