Hello all,

I'm brand new to this site and I must say it's a great one.  I have a 4 year old ratty and about a month ago he started chewing/scratching on his front legs right above his paws.  I checked the skin and it's not red or anything.  I wondered if anybody else has encountered this problem.  I switched shampoo to see if maybe it was making his skin dry but nothing has changed.  Any input would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Welcome to the site!  You'll love it here.  Great people!  Great advice!  Great stories!  Great pics!  Speaking of pics.  Hope you can post some of your baby in the photos forum.  We love pics around here. 

Sorry about your pup's itching.  Sounds like allergies.  They often chew their feet, between their toes, and their rectums even itch with allergies, causing butt dragging as a means of scratching it.  It might be a food allergy.  Lots of these little dogs are allergic to grains like corn, wheat and soy, and unfortunately, many commercial kibbles use these grains for "filler".  Grain isn't so good for carnivores.  You could discuss the leg chewing with your vet next visit. 

In the mean time, you might try a slow introduction of a grain-free dogfood and see if he gets any relief.  When I put my girl Button on a corn-free food, she scratched much less.  So I think she's allergic to corn for sure.  Oatmeal shampoos helped a little bit.  There are even topical anti-itch sprays available.  Could also be a contact allergy to something in the grass/yard/ house.  Could be an inhalant allergy.   But others will chime in with some anti-allergy advice I'm sure.

Thanks.  I already went to Pet Co. on my lunch break and got the Solid Gold brand of food to switch him to.  He's a little over four years old and never had a problem before.  I hope the new food will do the trick. 

I just discovered this website today so as soon as I get home I will be able to put up some pictures of Riley.  He looks a lot like yours with the black head and white body.  This is the first dog that I have had on my own (all other dogs have been family dogs) and I never thought I would love a dog this much!  The minute I held him I knew I had to have him!

It may be how much you are bathing him. Dogs do not need baths all that much, I probably give mine once every 3 months or so. It can throw their oils off causing dry skin. You said you switched shampoos which makes me think you may be giving him to much bath time. JMO

I definitely bath him more (maybe too much?) but that's because I take him to the dog park every weekend and he gets really dirty between other dogs slobber and the dirt.  Maybe I should be rinsing him off instead of shampooing every time?

I find I bathe mine in the summer more because they tend to be outside more and smell like dogs.

You can also try baby wipes, which work pretty well without actually "bathing" your dog. Others might have some suggestions.