Do you have a husky who likes to bite their paws? If so, you’re not alone. Many huskies do this, and there can be several reasons why. In this article we will discuss the most common reasons why huskies bite their paws and how you can help stop this behavior.
10 Reasons Why Your Husky Bites His Paws
1. Anxiety
Anxiety and stress are some causes of paw-biting in huskies. Huskies can become anxious or stressed due to a number of reasons, such as being left alone for too long, changes in routine, loud noises, or even other animals in the home. If your husky is displaying this behavior due to anxiety or stress, it’s important to try and identify what may be causing the issue and work to reduce any sources of stress or anxiety.
2. Dry Skin
Another common cause of paw-biting in huskies is dry skin. Huskies have thick double coats that can become dry and flaky, especially in cold weather or if they are not getting enough fatty acids in their diet. This can of course extend to their paws. If your husky’s paw-biting is due to dry skin, it’s important to make sure that you’re feeding him a high quality diet with plenty of fatty acids and providing ample hydration.
3. Allergies
Allergies can also be a cause of paw-biting in huskies. Allergies to food, environmental allergens, or even fleas and ticks can all lead to your husky licking and biting his paws. If this is the case, it’s important to visit the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Possible allergy causes:
- Pollens
- Grass
- Dust
- House mites
- Moulds
- Trees
- Chemical additives in food (most dry dog food has this!)
4. Injury or Infection
It’s also possible that your husky is biting his paws out of pain or discomfort due to an injury or infection. If you suspect this may be the case, it’s important to take him to the veterinarian for a check-up as soon as possible.
5. Boredom
Boredom can also be a factor when it comes to paw-biting in huskies. Without enough physical and mental stimulation, huskies may resort to activities like chewing on their paws out of boredom (weird thing to do when you are bored, I know!). If this is the case with your pet, try to ensure he gets plenty of exercise, playtime, and mental stimulation throughout the day.
6. It feels good!
It’s possible that your husky is simply doing it because he enjoys it and finds it comforting. In this case, try to distract him with toys or treats when he starts the behavior and provide plenty of positive reinforcement for behaviors you would like to see instead.
7. They don’t know it’s their foot!
It’s possible that your husky is simply unaware he’s biting his own foot. Just like when dogs chase their own tail. 😂 When dogs are in the middle of a chewing session, they can become almost hypnotized and may not realize what they’re actually doing. If this is the case, try to startle them when you catch them in the act and redirect their attention with toys, treats, or play.
8. They might have an ingrown nail
It is also possible that your husky bites his paws due to an ingrown nail. Ingrown nails can be uncomfortable and lead to chronic licking and biting their paw. If you suspect this may be the case, it’s important to take your husky to the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.
9. They might have a broken nail!
It’s also possible that your husky is biting his paws due to a broken nail/claw. Broken nails can be very uncomfortable and lead to chronic licking and paw biting. This is another reason to see your Vet!
10. Parasites
Parasites such as fleas and ticks can also cause your husky to bite his paws. If you notice your husky is licking or biting his paws more than usual, it’s important to check him for any external parasites and treat them accordingly with the help of your veterinarian.
How to stop a husky from biting their paws?
The best way to stop a husky from biting their paws is to identify the underlying cause and address it.
- If your husky is biting his paws due to anxiety or boredom, try providing more exercise, mental stimulation, and affection.
- If your husky’s paw-biting is due to allergies or dry skin, it’s important to make sure he is eating a high quality food with plenty of fatty acids and providing hydration to keep his skin moisturized.
- If you suspect that there may be an injury or infection, it’s important to take him to the veterinarian for a check-up as soon as possible.
- It’s also important to try distracting your husky with toys or treats when he starts to chew and provide plenty of positive reinforcement for behaviors you would like to see.
- Finally, if your husky has an ingrown nail or broken claw, it’s important to take him to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. With the right care and attention, your husky should be able to break the habit of biting his paws and live a happy, healthy life.
- If you are unsure of the reason why, speaking to your Vet is always a good solution!
Final takeaways about Husky paw biting
Paw-biting is a common behavior among huskies, and there can be several reasons why your husky may be doing it. If you’re concerned about this behavior, it’s important to check for any underlying issues such as anxiety, dry skin, allergies, infection or injury, boredom, or parasites.
Once any potential health issues are ruled out, you can work to reduce sources of stress or boredom and make sure your pet is getting plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. With the proper care and attention, you should be able to help get your husky’s paw-biting under control.
Why do you think your husky bites their paws?
Share your experience in the comments below.
