I have often been asked by clients, “Why does my dog lick everything?” Sometimes the reasons are medical and sometimes they’re behavioral. In general, licking everything is normal puppy behavior resulting from exploration and learning about one’s environment. Of course, that does not make it desirable. Redirection rather than correction can prevent licking from becoming obsessive.
Aside from puppy licking, however, one must evaluate the context when determining whether licking the couch or licking the floor is a behavioral or a medical issue. Obviously, if you have a toddler (or a teenager!) and the furniture and the floor are catch basins for your offspring’s snack crumbs, then your dog is an opportunist and licking the floor and the couch for food fragments. That one is easy.
Why Does My Dog Lick Everything?
Insecure dogs often use licking as a signal of “I mean you no harm, please like me.” This is typically directed at the humans in the family, in varying ways. It can be directed toward the face or limbs or other parts of your body, even surfaces that humans are on. Licking behavior can also be directed toward other animal family members, including other dogs and even cats. Grooming the other animal family members can often be a part of that ritual.
Kiss to Dismiss is behavioral but for a different reason than listed above. This lick is a “go away” lick. It’s meant to create space between the dog performing the lick and the object of his licking. This can be directed at visitors, children in the family, even other animal family members. This is why context is important in determining the reason a dog is licking. (Dog behavior expert Jennifer Shyrock is responsible for coining the term “Kiss to Dismiss.”)
Other behavior-focused licking reasons include:
- Boredom
- Attention seeking
- Anxiety and stress
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
If you suspect your dog is licking due to odd behavior, consultation with a veterinary behaviorist or a trainer with a certification in behavior is indicated.
Medical Reasons Your Dog May Lick the Floor and More
One of the most common medical causes of unusual surface licking in dogs is canine cognitive disorder, also known as doggy dementia. This symptom can be especially prevalent in the evening. Other possibilities include:
- Pain is a common reason for your dog licking, including licking himself or his lips.
- Gastrointestinal issues are one of the biggest causes of this issue. If the licking is sudden and urgent seeming, an immediate trip to a veterinarian is in order.
- Nutritional deficiencies have been theorized to cause licking.
- Dental pain as licking may be an attempt to self-sooth.
- Neurological issues are also a potential cause. Context is important here as well.
- Adrenal conditions like Cushing’s disease can cause odd licking behavior in dogs. Keeping a log of the context can assist your veterinarian with solving this puzzle.
First rule out medical causes with your veterinarian. Once medically cleared, you can consider meeting with a qualified behavioral consultant to help you with a plan to address the unusual licking behavior.
In addition to making sure that your dog is getting adequate physical and mental enrichment, the behavior plan should include how to properly redirect your dog’s attention while teaching them coping skills and better self-soothing options.
