Why is my dog obsessively licking everything

She is completely obsessed with licking all the time! My dog licks the air, your arms, your face, in your mouth, other dogs, furniture, herself, etc. She also experiences anxiety and fear and I wonder if the licking may be a result of that.

Is there anything that we can do to help control this? And it sounds like a very bad case, almost to the point of self-destruction. I have to ask if there is something neurological going on here. My advice for you is this — first, please get her an exam with the vet to rule out any neurological problems. Second, if there are no neurological issues, consider a holistic vet who can perform acupuncture and massage on Gina to help her relax.

Third, try water therapy or swimming for dogs. We need to help her soothe the mind before we can even begin to work on her dog obsessive licking behavior.

A treadmill may help as well, but you need to take it slow and steady. Once you work on helping her to relax, and without knowing any other details about your situation, keep this in mind — dog anxiety is usually caused by a lack of exercise or release of energy. In order for Gina to stop her obsessive licking, she needs to be properly exercised and fulfilled.

She has become fixated on licking, and you need to help Gina redirect that frustration into dog exercise and ultimately, balance. You should also take a look at how you have been reacting to the licking.

Some dogs over-groom their fur, which can result in bald patches and irritated skin. Obsessive grooming can be caused by a health condition or brought on by anxiety, frustration, or boredom. Feed me fast! Dogs who are thirsty or dehydrated might lick to combat a dry tongue, mouth, or throat. That licking can help stimulate the salivary glands, but better yet, it might cue their pet parent in on the problem so they can get a refreshing drink!

Dogs who have something that feels strange in their mouths, like a chipped tooth or a gum injury, might be tempted to lick that spot. Dogs with gingivitis or dental disease may also lick in response to pain.

A dog might lick to try to spit out some of that extra saliva or get rid of the bad taste. Excessive licking can be a sign of a cognitive disorder in older dogs. Other symptoms include pacing around the house, sleeping more than usual, and becoming withdrawn.

If you suspect your dog is experiencing cognitive issues, you should talk to your veterinarian to see if there are any medications or treatments that could help. Some dogs lick because they are bored or anxious, which can be due to a change in routine, separation anxiety , or a new pet in the family. If you suspect boredom is to blame, you can try spending more time with your dog and also leave a treat-filled puzzle toy to help them pass the time when you are away.

Anxiety issues can be more difficult to address, and you might want to seek advice from your veterinarian or a certified animal behaviorist. Similar to chewing, licking can be a way for dogs to check out their surroundings. This is especially true for young puppies who use their mouths to explore the world like human babies. You have trained them that licking equals positive attention. Other dogs might chew or lick at their tails and hind-quarters when their anal glands are impacted.

My tummy hurts. A study done at the University of Montreal Veterinary Teaching Hospital examined dogs who excessively licked. Of the 19 dogs studied, 14 had gastrointestinal abnormalities identified by an exam, and treating the GI conditions resulted in decreased licking in many cases. Licking an empty food bowl or lips could indicate your pup is ready for their next meal or a cool sip of water. My feet feel weird. Peter Dobias is a veterinarian that takes a holistic approach to taking care of animals.

In his article in the Innovative Veterinary Care Journal, he took a closer look at paw lickers. Allergies or not, they still licked. Dobias writes. He discovered that front paw lickers tend to have discomfort in their neck while back paw lickers have issues in their lumbar spine. Older dogs may develop cognitive dysfunction , a condition associated with many repetitive behaviors, including licking.