Lab biting at the air
Written by amamist
My 5 year old lab is constantly biting at the air. She does this for hours and hours. It is so disturbing to watch. She started doing this sometime between last August and February. Which was the time she spent alot of time home alone because I was in the hospital, could this just be behavioral? or something medical?
She does (like most labs) have severe skin allergies, but lately she isn't biting at her self just at the air. The only time she will stop is if I give her prednizone, which I have for her allergies.
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My vet also advised me to use benadryl for her allergies. I will try to redirect her and get her mind some where else and see if that works.
Thanks for the advice
Amamist, the behavior your dog is displaying may have started out as a result of you being away and her being anxious or bored. Now it may be such a habit for her, she can't help herself. Another possibilty is that she is itchy and either can't reach the spot that itches or that activity keeps her busy enough to not think about it.
I am wondering what other remedies you have tried for her allergies aside from prednizone. When she is biting at the air, try a distraction like a raw marrow bone or kong with treats in it or go out for a walk or play ball. It may take some time but try to redirect her to another activity when she is air biting.
Another remote possibility is that she is having some underlying medical issue and that is her response to the stress of it. It may be worth a check up including a blood panel.
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