Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 3/6/2007

Question
My shih tzu (deuce) has very dry skin. I notice that if we go two or more weeks w/ out bathing him then I can see dandruff all through out his fur. When I pull his hair back to see his skin, it is covered in dandruff. He use to scratch all the time so we purchased some oat meal shampoo that worked w/ moisturizing and it has helped tremendously. The only problem I see now is that he loves to chew on his paws all the time. He will lick all over the top of them and then everywhere underneath his paw. Any reasons why he loves to do this even right after a bath?

Answer
Chewing and licking the paws is caused by atopic dermatitis.  Dogs get all kinds of pollens, moolds, and insect stuff on their paws.  The allergic reaction occurs between the toes and they itch.  Many of htese allergic dogs also have a secondary Yeast infection there.  Ask your vet if allergies are the cause and if your dog needs to be treated for yeasts.