As every pet parent knows, dogs love to use their tongues! Although it may seem uncouth to us, licking is a normal part of life for our canine pals. They may lick to groom or clean themselves, to say hello to human friends, or simply because they like the taste or texture of something in the environment. As long as it’s done in moderation (a few quick licks here and there), this behavior isn’t typically cause for concern. However, it’s also true that excessive licking can be a sign that something isn’t right. If your dog becomes fixated on licking something constantly—whether it’s himself, visitors, or the walls or floor in your home—consider this a red flag that deserves further investigation.
Some common causes of excessive licking include the following:
Physical pain or discomfort
Dogs who lick their paws, legs, or other parts of their bodies excessively are often itchy or in pain. Constant paw-licking, in particular, is a very common sign of allergies. Arthritis or nerve pain can also cause dogs to lick their joints, lower backs, or tails.
Gastrointestinal problems
Excessive licking of the floor, walls, or other unusual objects is often caused by nausea or other types of stomach discomfort. This can be due to a variety of gastrointestinal issues such as a stomach ulcer, a food allergy or intolerance to something in the diet, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Stress or anxiety
Some dogs lick their owners, housemate dogs, or their own bodies excessively when they are stressed or anxious. Other dogs may become overly excited about greeting visitors and lick them constantly for the entire visit, rather than giving a brief “doggy kiss” and moving on. Obsessive licking of family members or objects can also be a compulsive behavior in some cases, especially for dogs who have other signs of anxiety or difficulty coping with their environment.
Dental or neurological issues
Repetitive licking in the air without an obvious target can be caused by dental pain or discomfort, or some other problem in the mouth such as a wound, an infection, or an oral growth or tumor. This behavior can also be due to partial seizures or other neurologic problems, especially if the dog seems “zoned out” or unaware of what he’s doing.
As you can see, medical issues are a very common cause of abnormal licking behavior in dogs! So if you feel that your dog’s licking is excessive or unusual, you should always see your veterinarian for a check-up before doing anything else. In many cases, an exam and some simple tests will yield a diagnosis so that your pup can be started on appropriate treatment.
Behavioral causes of excessive licking can be more challenging to resolve, but can often be treated successfully with a combination of medication and positive training to teach an alternative behavior when your dog becomes stressed or anxious. Your veterinarian may recommend a good reward-based trainer in your area who can help with this, or refer you to a specialist for further guidance if the problem is severe.