How can I get my cat to stop biting his own foot until it bleeds?

by **annie** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:02 pm

He has been biting his foot for years - we've done multiple tests including biopsies, x-rays, blood work, dermatolgist testing, etc. Nothing has worked. It just started to get really bad to the point that he is now limping. We have gone through all the same tests again to no avail. Has anyone else experienced this? help!

We've been to 3 different vets - and no one has given us an explanation - i don't think he is under stress, but the next step is trying an anti-depressant. He currently has a cone on so he can't bite it for now. Just curious if anyone else has ever dealt with this...thanks for your answers.

by **RoJ** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:05 pm

get rid of him

by **ChaosLord** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:06 pm

Cut his foot off.

by **CrossMyHeart** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:06 pm

Maybe put something around his neck to make him unable to bend down and bite his foot.

by **NiceGuy697** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:06 pm

Rub something like vinegar on his foot, if not vinegar, something that would taste awful.

by **Brittany212** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:07 pm

i would suggest putting vinegar on his foot the smell/taste will (hopefully) get him to stop good luck!

by **Cheri167** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:07 pm

Stick his paw in something that's nasty tasting that won't hurt him. That will gross him out and hopefully get him to stop.

by **Sachinha153** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:11 pm

Is your cat under a lot of stress?

What exactly did the vet tell you?
They didn't give you a possible explanation, or a way for the cat to stop?

If not, change vets.

by **Kiki375659** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:11 pm

you could try animal socks with some sort of bitter nontoxic spray on the socks, to keep him from biting. cats like to feel the floor with their paws so he might not like it so much.
http://www.pawpalaceonline.com/dog-boots-footwear-socks-c-75_169.html

by **KirinKat169910** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:34 pm

Basically your cat has an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Either from stress, fear, anxiety or just plain habit. Seems you've already ruled out dermatological causes. Which means you can either consult your existing Vet or get a second opinion. I work at an Animal Health Int'l company and some known drugs used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats and some examples include amitriptyline (Elavil®), diazepam (Valium®), clorazepate (Tranxene®), and alprazolam (Xanax®). In summary, each patient presented with a tentative obsessive-compulsive disorder needs to be fully worked-up medically and behaviourally in order to determine the best drug option for that given case as well as address all other contributing factors. These drugs have had an exceptional increase of mood and behavioral chances given time. My Tandy was a tail chewer and was put on Elavil which he had to be on for his short term life. Tandy was my first kitten when I first got married. His beautiful black fur shown in the sunlight. Also he was afraid of people, dogs and outdoors. He begin chewing and biting his tail until all the fur was gone. Tandy slipped outside the apartment one day and was frightened by dogs which caused him to get hit by a car. That was a very long time ago, but the echo of his cries make me shutter to this very day.
So you must ask yourself, Is the behaviour simply excessive or is it a manifestation of an obsessive-compulsive disorder? Visit with a Veterinarian that will talk with you on these issues.
The cone is a good idea but he can't live with that forever. Animals share some common illness's with us humans. I believe he needs medication now.

How can I get my cat to stop biting his own foot until it bleeds?