It’s not unusual for dogs to lick each other. It is true that here they are the cleaning world champions that cats are.
But a little furness is also part of everyday life for dogs. But what if a dog constantly licks its front legs? Is this still normal? And what’s behind it?
Find out the answers in the following guide.
Dog keeps licking his front legs: 4 causes
In the rarest cases there is only one cause for a certain dog behavior. So also with the constant licking of the front legs.
psychological causes
Perhaps you know that many «quirks» and even diseases the psyche is the real trigger is?
stress & anxiety
actually is stress – which is ultimately psychological – one of the main reasons in dogs when it comes to conspicuous behavior.
Psychological issues can also be the cause of excessive licking of the front legs, to the point where the dog licks its leg sore.
This is a compensatory behavior. Whatever threw your dog off – he’s trying to get through an exaggerated “mania for cleaning”to get the problem under control.
Licking the front legs is sort of its outlet to relieve stress and possibly anxiety. It is also not uncommon for him to scratch himself – not only during the day but also at night.
Good to know:
It’s always important find out the possible reason for the stress. That is not always easy. Because depending on the dog, it can already be supposed little things that follow trigger obsessive-compulsive disorder.
This, in turn, can in the worst case lead to serious illnesses. Quite apart from the fact that the fur nose’s quality of life suffers extremely – and yours too, by the way.
physical causes
Also physical causes can be behind the licking of the front legs. The following applies here: The Frequency matterswhether you should or must take action and go to the vet.
itching
Maybe it’s just one temporary itching? Your dog can best «switch off» this by licking the affected area.
joint problems
Also joint problems can be a reason why your dog starts licking his front legs excessively.
Especially dogs that romp around a lot and those that are a bit older are prone to osteoarthritis, for example.
These diseases are associated with pain. Licking should alleviate them.
In general, such problems from other symptoms accompanied.
This includes, among other things, that your dog moves less, emits cries of pain and for example this Climbing stairs to challenge becomes.
parasites
Straight ectoparasites can quickly become torture for dogs. Maybe fleas or mites have nested on the front legs? And cause the itch «from Hell» here?
Of course your dog will try to become master of the situation by licking and constant scratching. It can also happen that he nibbles on his front legs.
This is what you should do if you are excessively licking your front legs
Before you run to the vet in a panic – with your furry friend in your luggage, of course – you should try the find out the possible cause.
It can be helpful if you get one create a small checklist and work through the questions asked here:
- Do you have the impression that your dog is distant and even unhappy?
- Have there been any recent changes in your life that have been stressful?
- Does your dog seem apathetic or on the contrary totally excited?
- Does your dog seem aggressive, does he no longer let himself be touched?
- Is your dog in pain, can’t walk as well?
- Are there signs of a parasite infestation?
- Has he licked his legs sore yet?
This list could certainly be extended with a few more points. But it already helps to carry out your own anamnesis. So can you support the vet.
If there is an illness, only this can ultimately help – with the right treatment methods and the appropriate medication.
If stress is the cause, this will lead to a behavioral problems? Then a so-called Canine Behavior Therapist or a dog trainer help.
Because if the psyche is the reason, in many cases even a veterinarian cannot do more than tell you to keep the stress level for your four-legged friend as low as possible.
When to the vet?
There is a simple rule of thumb. Presented to the vet will you and your dog then at the very latest, if your fur nose doesn’t get better quickly. Or other symptoms of licking the front legs have been added.
But it’s also not a problem if you take him to the vet to calm yourself down. Because: Better once too much than the crucial one time too little.
Good to know:
Yet you should Don’t overdo the visits to the vet. Because not every supposed ailment has to be examined immediately by an expert.
Then you might fall into the category of «Dog Helicopter». What any vet will tell you.
Psychological licking: This is how you can help your dog
The following job has been ridiculed for years, and sometimes still today: that of a dog psychologist or dog behavior therapist.
The reason: Stress in dogs has long been taken lightly. A fallacy, as you may know from your own experience.
If your fur nose now suffers from psychologically induced licking, this can quickly escalate into an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
As mentioned earlier, this affects both on the quality of life of your dog as well as on yours. And so you are in a vicious circle if this behavior is not stopped.
A canine behavior therapist now can get to the bottom of the cause of the stress, the fear, the compulsive behavior.
And you too tips how you can support your dog if this behavior should occur again.
Good to know:
There are a few home remediesthat can reduce stress for your dog. These include some plants such as lavender (if your dog likes the smell).
Also CBD is said to have a stress-reducing and nerve-calming effect. You can get drops from the vet or from a dog behavior therapist.
Conclusion
Does your dog lick its front legs, sometimes until they are sore? Then can different causes set the trigger have.
Excessive licking is involved often psychological – is therefore difficult to diagnose as such.
However, it is relatively obvious that the psyche puts a strain on your dog – because one OCD almost never has a physical cause.
It is important that you have the reason found out by a veterinarian. If necessary, they will refer you to a dog behavior therapist who can help your furry friend.
How is your dog doing? Has he already suffered from a psychological «quirk»? We hope, of course, that this is not the case. If this was the case, please share your experiences with us in the comments!