My Dog Has Recently Started Licking And Biting On His Legs Like He Has Fleas, But He Doesn't. What's Causing Him To Do This?

He could have been bitten by something else that is either just irritating him, or that has caused an allergic reaction. If he does not stop licking and biting his legs in the next couple of days, you should take him to the vet just so that he can be given something to calm the irritation down. If you do not take him, it may not calm down, and he could end up losing his fur.

It is also possible that the biting and licking could break the skin and he could get an infection, which could lead to a more expensive visit to the vet so it is certainly worth getting it checked out sooner rather than later.

It may be that he hasn't been bitten by anything at all and is having an allergic reaction to something else, either in the home or out of it. Have a think about any changes that may have been made recently. For example, have you washed his blanket: He could be allergic to the soap powder or fabric softener; have you used any deodorizing products on your carpets that might cause an allergic reaction?

If you have, then the obvious thing to do is to re-wash the blanket in a powder that is designed for sensitive skin; or just in plain water to try and get rid of the other one; and to vacuum your carpet thoroughly to try and get rid of the deodorizer.

If the allergy could have been caused by something outside, think about where your dog has been recently. Have you taken him on a walk that has plants that he is not familiar with; or could he have had any contact with wildlife like toads?

If your pet continues he will probably develop a raw spots on his legs. These are caused by skin irritations maybe from an allergy, recent grooming or a fungus. To heal them, clip hair away from the hot spots, clean the area thoroughly and treat it with Sulfodene® Skin Medication for Dogs. I have used it and it works.

Another good remedy for this is using anti-itch cream (like benedrel gel or gold bond medicated body lotion). I have two pit bulls that have real bad allergies and this is what I use. Good luck and hope your baby dog gets to feeling better.

Sounds like some sort of skin irritation. Dry skin can cause this type of thing along with the possibility that the dog has run through some bushes or something that may be the skin. Speak to your vet. Try adding a raw egg to the food (also good for the dogs hair).

Does it only lick and bite the legs or does it go for the back or other areas as well?

My dog had that problem, it was a Yeast infection.

This sounds like the start of lick granuloma. You must get veterinary advice before it becomes chronic.

He could have a skin allergy. Your vet can give you something for itching. Try a special shampoo. Brush him regular.

It sounds like his anal sacks might need expressing. When the anal sacks are full and compacted dogs will tend to chew their back legs in an attempt to somehow relieve the itchyness they feel because they can't reach the problem area. Dogs may also scooch they bottoms along the floor.

Your dog may be bored, or maybe the nerves may be getting bad

Dry skin will do it everytime, the colder weather is an issue for all of our skin

There is a possibility that your dog might have ticks, but I could be wrong. They can get ticks by being outside in the yard often...I remember that my dog use to do the same thing and I checked him and found ticks on him.Ticks are stuck to your dog skin due to them sucking on his blood and they look very black and has lots of legs and they can grow really big and round due to sucking their blood. You can buy shampoos or medication to get rid of ticks at a drug store or you can try wal mart, or maybe take him to the vet and for sure they can get rid of them...GL

He has fleas but you may not see them

It could be that you didn't wash the shampoo completely out of its fur last time you gave it a bath

My dog does the same and I found these words here on this page it says they can have  granuloma and I have no idea what that is!

Ok here is what we do to my dog to make sure he DOES NOT HAVE FLEAS ok try this make him lay down but before that put a paper towel under him /her then rub him scratch him if any thing comes out out it underwater (just a drop) then if it turns RED IT IS A FLEA if it DOES NOT TURN RED its NOT  a flea! Hope that helped