Excessive Licking in Dogs: It May Be a Health Issue

Dogs lick and some more than others, both of which are completely normal. Then there are some dogs that lick excessively and lick everything including furniture, flooring, toys, animals, themselves and people. While some people find it annoying, I actually become concerned when dog owners inform me of excessive licking during consultations. Excessive licking in dogs is a symptom caused by a behavioral or medical issue.

Never ignore excessive licking. Your dog is trying to tell you something is wrong.

When Does Licking Become Excessive?

All dogs are different, so with that said, there are a few telltale signs. When a dog licks a specific spot so much he causes a wet spot, that’s excessive licking. When touching the area, you instantly know it’s saturated with saliva.

Some dogs lick themselves so often, they will cause a lick granuloma. Lick granulomas are caused when a dog has licked a sore into his skin. Battling lick granulomas is like riding a roller coaster; there’s some ups and many downs, and it can take weeks to heal the area.

RELATED: Hot Spots on Dogs: Causes and Treatments

Causes of Excessive Licking

Digestive Issues

Yes, dogs have digestive issues just like people, and it’s actually pretty common. Dogs will lick flooring, themselves or furniture because their stomach hurts or burns (they’re trying to stop the pain).

When we have heartburn, we drink water to help relieve the burning sensation whereas dogs either drink or lick excessively. Dogs are susceptible to GERD (chronic heartburn), especially if they take NSAIDs on a regular basis. Remember, NSAIDs can cause gastric ulcers and inflammation. It’s best to never dismiss excessive licking, especially if your dog takes or has taken NSAIDs.

Solution

With GERD, sometimes over-the-counter antacids can help tremendously. If you give your dog Pepcid, you’ll notice your dog stops licking within 20 minutes after ingesting and his licking will cease until another flareup causes burning again. Keep in mind antacids are not a quick fix. Too much antacid consumption can reduce your dog’s stomach acid, which results in indigestion of his food. I know, it’s a vicious cycle, so always consult with your vet when giving antacids.

Self-Soothe

Licking to self-soothe was discussed in a previous article, but it’s another reason some dogs lick excessively. Some dogs learn licking someone, furniture, flooring or himself is very soothing. You’ll likely notice it when your dog is preparing for a nap.

Sobek, my Rottweiler, learned this behavior after battling a hot spot. It feels good for dogs to lick something. When Sobek started self-soothing himself by licking, I notice he would curl up in his favorite spot and start slowly licking his leg. When I called his name, he would jump–almost like he was in a trance. It was so spooky.

Many years ago, my mother had a feisty Lhasa Apso named Trixie. She was a little pistol, but she learned to self-soothe herself by licking my mother’s leg non-stop. Sometimes, she would lick for an hour. After she was done licking, she usually fell right to sleep. It became a ritual. If my mother wore long pants and Trixie was unable to lick, she would become very frustrated. If no one were available to lick, she would lick a pillow until she fell asleep.

Solution

Self-soothing licking needs to be addressed quickly. Redirect your dog with a food stuffed toy or a quick game of “touch” (i.e. dog walks over and touches his nose to your hand). Punishment will make it worse. You’re increasing stress levels, which is the main reason dogs learn to self-soothe lick in the first place. Teach your dog others ways to self-soothe and try calming supplements and products. They can most definitely help you over the hump.

Let Your Vet Know Too

Inform your vet of your dog’s excessive licking during your next appointment. If excessive licking becomes an issue, ask for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist or a seasoned dog trainer. Again, find a dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods only. Remember, punishment will make it much worse. Many times, a combination of health and behavior consults will do the trick. If not, keep pushing forward, ask questions and, by all means, let me know if I can help too. 🙂

Many of us give our dogs over-the-counter products and supplements when there’s a problem, but please do research on those products beforehand. Many human medications are deadly to dogs. Always consult with your veterinarian. She needs to know all medications your dog is taking even OTC versions.

Never ignore excessive licking. If you’re uncertain whether your dog’s licking is excessive, a positive reinforcement dog trainer can certainly troubleshoot!