Licking is a normal part of dog behavior, and can include eating and grooming. But some dogs lick excessively, and guardians should seek veterinary attention for these dogs.
Dogs lick for many reasons, including grooming, greeting both humans and other dogs, and of course, eating and drinking. But some dogs lick persistently, licking for minutes or even hours, and sometimes causing wounds on their bodies through their licking. Still others lick unusual surfaces, such as objects or even walls and floors. If your dog is licking in a way that bothers you because it appears excessive, or that concerns you because he is injuring himself, it’s time to contact your veterinarian.
What causes excessive licking?
Because licking is a normal part of dog behavior, excessive licking can be a learned behavior that has worked for the dog in the past, or it may be a sign of an underlying medical issue. Some common reasons dogs lick excessively include:
- Gastrointestinal issues.
- Pain in another part of the body. Dogs will sometimes lick an area of the body that is causing them pain or discomfort. In some cases, the pain can be "referred pain," which means the pain is elsewhere in the body, but is soothed when the dog licks a seemingly unrelated area. This might look like a compulsive behavior, but could resolve after a full medical exam to determine if the behavior is exacerbated by a medical condition.
- Allergies. Dogs that suffer from food or environmental allergies will often lick themselves, especially in areas of the body that come in contact with the ground, such as the paws. Each time the dog is exposed to the allergen, she might lick the areas to relieve the discomfort. These areas will often become red and inflamed, requiring medical intervention to address the allergies and to reduce the build-up of moisture-loving yeast or infection.
- Appeasement or anxiety.
- Excessive self-grooming. Some dogs are prone to excessive self-grooming on a particular area of the body, causing small wounds to form and making them hard to heal. This is called acral lick dermatitis or lick granuloma. The area then becomes irritated, causing the dog to lick even more. The area should be treated so it heals, and the dog might need more activity or engagement to relieve boredom.
- Excessive licking of other objects. Licking can also occur on objects or other materials and is usually a displacement behavior that helps relieve a dog’s boredom or anxiety. Again, give your dog more exercise and other outlets to relieve boredom or anxiety.
How can I help my dog?
If your dog is licking excessively, try the following to get relief for you and your dog:
- Take your dog to the veterinarian for a full medical exam to rule out pain, gastrointestinal issues, dermatitis or other small wounds and allergies. Treating all contributing issues will go a long way toward reducing licking.
- If your dog is anxious or fearful, work with a positive reinforcement trainer and your veterinarian to address this, so she is more confident and comfortable.
- Redirect your dog to a more appropriate activity or item when she starts to lick, or even better, before she starts to lick. Fillable food toys that you can fill with soft food are a great alternative, as are appropriate bones or hard chews. Sports, games, activity toys and dog to human play can help redirect licking onto something more positive.
- If the behavior is persistent and you’re struggling to reduce it, work with a positive reinforcement trainer to help you find the right solution.
