Dogs lick things for several reasons. When they lick themselves, it’s often an act of grooming. When they lick us, their owners, it can be a form of social communication, or even a means of saying, “Hey, I see the bottom of my bowl. Feed me.”
When they lick the floor? Obsessively? Admittedly, that one’s a bit weird, says Dr. Jerica Lugo, VMD, of Doylestown Veterinary Hospital – though not entirely uncommon.
Why Won’t My Dog Stop Licking the Floor?
“There are a lot of reasons that dogs may have repetitive licking behaviors,” Dr. Lugo says. “A big thing that we think about in veterinary circles is gastrointestinal issues.”
Dogs experiencing stomach discomfort may resort to repetitive licking, Dr. Lugo says. Gastric ulcers or inflammation of the stomach or esophagus may be to blame for these behaviors, which are frequently seen in dogs who also eat a lot of grass as a means of relief.
“Usually, when people notice obsessive licking behavior in their dogs, the stomach is an avenue we should explore,” Dr. Lugo says, adding that pet owners should keep the following questions in mind:
- Does your dog have other signs of gastrointestinal distress?
- Do they frequently have bouts of diarrhea or vomiting issues?
- Do they vomit first thing in the morning or before they’ve eaten breakfast?
- Has their appetite been impacted in any way? (Does your dog vacillate between eating and not eating their food?)
Dr. Lugo says zig-zagging appetites are a common symptom of dogs with gastrointestinal issues.
“Sometimes their food consumption is normal and other times they’ll go through periods where they refuse breakfast and only eat dinner.”
Gastric reflux may also be a culprit if your dog suddenly begins coating the carpet, Dr. Lugo says.
“It can be challenging in dogs,” she explains. “They can’t tell us, ‘Oh, I have heartburn.’ But that doesn’t mean they can’t experience it.”
Stress, Self-Soothing, and Other Behavioral Issues
When licking becomes obsessive, it’s impossible to rule out behavioral issues, Dr. Lugo notes.
“Sometimes, repetitive behaviors in dogs are either related to stress or what I often refer to as ‘self-soothing behaviors,’” she says. “This is also known as psychogenic licking.”
Occasionally, the repetitive licking of objects – or their bodies – is something dogs do when they’re stressed as a means to calm themselves.
“They may lick their legs or groom a bit,” Dr. Lugo says. “Other dogs may lick surfaces like floors couches, or rugs.”
Of course, pet parents shouldn’t rule out the most on-the-nose reason for floor-licking: “Is your dog only licking the kitchen floors?” Dr. Lugo asks. “It’s very possible there was a spill your dog was interested in, and now they routinely come back to be little vacuum cleaners and pick up what you’ve missed.”
When You Should Call Your Vet
As a rule of thumb, any time pet owners notice a sudden change in behavior in their dogs, a veterinarian should be contacted to rule out medical causes.
“I think a lot of the time, owners – and sometimes even professionals – might believe repetitive licking is just psychogenic or behavioral, when there may be more to it, like gastrointestinal issues,” Dr. Lugo says. “It’s so important to do a good workup to rule out potential medical causes instead of just chalking it up to, ‘My dog is quirky. My dog is weird. They just lick a lot.’”
Your family veterinarian may try certain medications to rule out reflux or gastrointestinal upset, and perhaps most importantly – stomach ulcers.
“If you catch a stomach ulcer early on it can be treated with medical management and dietary changes,” Dr. Lugo says. “But if it goes on long enough untreated, it can result in more serious issues for our dogs.”
Should licking behaviors be determined strictly behavioral, pet owners can and should work with their veterinarian, who can prescribe appropriate treatments and/or medications for anxiety.
Occasionally, however, a healthy distraction may be the key to your dog’s – and your own – relief.
“Often, replacing the unwanted behavior with a desirable behavior is helpful,” Dr. Lugo says. “Maybe you take them out for a walk, or you give them something else to lick that’s healthy for them. I often recommend adding wet food or peanut butter to a toy that you can pop in the freezer. When they resort to repetitive behavior, you give them something constructive to do, instead. Now, they’re licking a toy and not a hole in your carpet.”
With any luck, Dr. Lugo says, your dog may instinctively start reaching for the toy when they’re stressed, instead of resorting to obsessive licking.
“It can help your dog find more productive ways to deal with their feelings,” she says.
