- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you live with a dog, you might already know just how much they love to lick things, including themselves! Dogs lick things instinctively for many reasons, from grooming to self-soothing, and some dogs lick themselves more than others.
Most of the time, you don’t need to worry about dogs licking themselves—it’s perfectly natural behavior. But if your dog can’t seem to stop licking, this could point to an underlying concern that needs some attention from your vet.
A dog might lick themselves excessively due to food or environmental allergies, pain at the spot they’re licking, gastrointestinal disorders, or anxiety, explains Dr. Amy Pike, board certified veterinary behaviorist and owner of Animal Behavior Wellness Center.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most common reasons why dogs lick themselves and a few key signs that suggest it’s time to consult your vet.
Nine Common Reasons Dogs Start Licking
There are plenty of reasons why dogs lick themselves.
1. Hygiene or grooming
Licking is a natural grooming behavior for dogs. It helps them keep their fur clean and healthy. Most dogs will lick themselves to remove dirt and debris.
However, if your dog licks themselves for longer than 10-15 seconds at a time or they’re excessively licking hard-to-reach places, this could mean they’re in pain or stressed, according to Mary Huntsberry, animal behaviorist and founder of Helping Pets Behave.
2. Relief from discomfort
“Licking is sometimes a self-soothing behavior, and it’s an instinctive way for dogs to try and alleviate discomfort,” explains Dr. Lisa Lippman, Director of Virtual Medicine at Bond Vet.
Both environmental and food allergies can make dogs itchy, especially on their paws. This itchiness often leads to licking.
Dr. Lippman also says parasites, like fleas or mites, can lead to skin irritation and excessive licking. If you think your dog has fleas, your vet can recommend a flea prevention treatment.
3. Medical skin conditions
Some common medical skin conditions that may prompt your dog to excessively lick an area of their body include:
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Hot spots (moist dermatitis)
- Mange
- Flea allergy dermatitis
If you notice red or irritated skin, hair loss, swelling, or open sores where your dog is licking, it’s a good idea to contact your vet. Your dog may have a skin condition that’s causing discomfort.
“Licking can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, and early diagnosis can prevent complications from developing,” Dr. Lippman explains.
4. Anxiety or stress relief
“Licking, like chewing, is a stress-reducing behavior and so can help to soothe dogs emotionally,” explains Jody Epstein, an animal behaviorist and founder of Nutz About Muttz. “If there is nothing else to lick, they may lick themselves in an effort to alleviate stress.”
Some research found that shelter dogs licked themselves more when housed in poor conditions. This suggests licking can happen as a self-soothing response to stressful situations.
Dogs with dementia may also start licking themselves more than usual to deal with the anxiety of being confused. If you’ve noticed new behaviors in your older dog, like late-night walks around the house or peeing inside, it’s a good idea to have a vet check them out.
5. Desire for attention
Dogs love attention from their pet parents, and many dogs have learned that licking is a great way to get it. After all, a wet, slobbery lick on your face is sure to make you stop what you’re doing!
Epstein says pups learn that licking works as a way to get attention when you respond with smiles, loving words, and petting. Dogs lick each other’s faces to bond, Epstein adds, and they might do the same to you if they consider you part of their family.
But not all licking means affection!
“Persistent licking during close interaction can be a dog’s way of telling the person they want them to stop the grooming, petting, or other form of human affection, Huntsberry explains.
Additionally, bored dogs might lick themselves to pass the time or reduce stress.
6. Nausea
Dr. Lippman says dogs often lick areas that feel uncomfortable. For example, a dog with gastrointestinal discomfort may lick their stomach to provide temporary relief.
Dogs with nausea might also lick the air, drool and vomit.
7. Canine compulsive behavior
Dogs don’t experience obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in quite the same way that people do. However, dogs can exhibit repetitive behaviors that resemble OCD behaviors.
Obsessive licking, for instance, can help dogs manage feelings of anxiety.
Other types of compulsive behaviors include:
- Tail chasing
- Shadow chasing
- Spinning in circles
- Fly biting
- Pica (eating non-food objects)
If you notice any of these behaviors, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your vet.
Important: Contact your vet right away if any of these behaviors result in your dog harming themselves.
8. Being in heat
“Many in-heat females will lick themselves more in order to keep themselves clean,” explains Dr. Pike. She adds that some pet parents will put diapers on their dogs during heat cycles to prevent a mess in the house.
Diapers can also help reduce excessive licking.
9. Pain or injury
“Dogs often lick areas that are painful or uncomfortable,” explains Dr. Lippman. “For example, a dog with arthritis may lick at its joints.”
Anal gland problems, ulcers, and other joint pain can also lead to discomfort and licking.
But while licking may provide temporary relief, it can sometimes worsen the condition—especially if the licking leads to irritation or infection in the licked area, Dr. Lippman explains.
When Is Dog Licking a Problem?
If your dog can’t seem to stop licking themselves, even after you try to redirect their attention, you’ll want to make an appointment with your vet right away.
Signs of excessive licking
You might notice a few signs if your dog is licking themselves too much:
- Redness or irritation: Their skin may become red, inflamed, or raw.
- Sores or hot spots: Frequent licking in one area can lead to open sores and hot spots.
- Loss of fur: Bald spots or thinning of the fur can occur in areas your dog licks frequently.
- Signs of infection: A foul smell, discharge, or swelling can suggest infection, which requires medical treatment.
Dr. Pike shares a few other signs your dog is licking themselves excessively:
- They spend long amounts of time licking the same area.
- You have a hard time distracting or redirecting them from this behavior.
- The licking interferes with their regular routine.
If you notice any of these signs of excessive licking, it’s a good idea to take a trip to the vet so they can figure out what’s causing the behavior.
How a Vet Can Help
Dr. Pike explains that the treatment your vet will recommend for excessive licking will depend on the underlying cause. Your vet will need to treat the underlying disease process as well as any secondary infections caused by the licking itself.
Treatment for secondary infections might include:
- Topical treatments like sprays, shampoos, or foams
- Oral treatments like antibiotics, antifungals, allergy medicine, or steroids
Your primary vet may also refer you to a specialist for further workup and treatment, Dr. Pike adds. They may, for instance, refer you to a:
- Dermatologist: For allergic skin diseases
- Internist: For GI diseases
- Veterinary behaviorist: For anxiety
How to Stop Your Dog from Licking Themselves
If your dog’s licking becomes excessive or worrying, you can do a few things to help curb the behavior, both on your own and with help from your vet.
Ideas to try include:
- Regular grooming: Following a regular grooming schedule can help remove dirt and dander from your dog’s coat so they don’t need to spend as much time grooming.
- Hydration: Plenty of water in your dog’s diet is important for promoting skin and coat health and preventing dry, irritated skin.
- Diet/elimination diet: If your dog’s licking is caused by an allergen in their food, your vet may recommend slowly removing ingredients from their diet to pinpoint the trigger food. They can also do an allergy panel to identify specific allergens irritating your dog’s skin.
- Behavioral redirection: You can try new, fun toys and games to redirect your dog’s attention away from licking.
- Anti-lick products: Items like a bandage, cone, or baby-grow/body suit may help keep your dog from licking specific areas.
- Anxiety medication: If your dog’s excessive licking is caused by stress or anxiety, your vet may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication, like Clomipramine or Fluoxetine.
Takeaway
Licking is a natural dog behavior that plays a key role in grooming, soothing, and even communicating with pet parents!
In most cases, there’s no need to worry about your dog’s occasional licking. But when licking becomes excessive and leads to redness, hair loss, or other signs of discomfort, it’s important to take a trip to the vet.
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