Why does my dog ​​lick everything? Causes & Solutions

What to do, if the dog licks everything?

Dogs love to use their tongues and will lick almost everything every now and then. This cannot be avoided either – their mouth is one for the four-legged friends important source of information. Although they don't have quite as many taste receptors as humans, the 1,500 are significantly more than other animals.

Compared to cats, who only have 500 receptors, dogs can identify tastes comparatively well. For example, this is how they love sweet and meaty-savory aromas, However, they are more disgusted by sour and bitter tastes.

So when a dog licks, it's basically completely normal. However, the behavior can also take on extreme characteristics and cause you hygiene problems. Licking unsavory objects can not only cause bad breath, but can also bring germs into the house. Parasites such as worms are also often picked up by licking and spread again.

Often Floors & Furniture affected

In your own house you often see that the dog is overexerting itself floors and furniture “Hermacht”. In particular Blankets and cushions are then affected. Not every animal lover is enthusiastic about it, as the home ends up being soiled with a lot of saliva.

But there are also many other things that dogs like to lick: Often you can exaggerate this Personal care observe where the animal, for example, repeatedly licks its paws. And of course there are also four-legged friends who love to use their tongues to care for themselves human caregivers take care.

Leak behavior should closely observed become

In general, when it comes to dogs' licking behavior, you can choose between: two guys differentiate. These are:

1. dogs that consciously work a lot with her tongue and
2. animals that compulsive lick.

You can only find out which category your four-legged friend belongs to by looking at the animal observe closely.

• Should the dog “just” every now and then I feel like licking and stop the behavior as soon as you disturb him, there is probably a conscious act behind it.
• The four-legged friend should permanent Looking for things to lick and being very restless is probably one of them physically or psychologically based compulsory act underlying. In this case, the dog will probably want to continue even if you try to stop his behavior.

For a serious assessment of the case, it is very important to watch the dog even in seemingly unobserved moments to keep an eye on Because the four-legged friends often behave completely differently when alone than in the presence of their human family members. One can also do this here Dog camera serve you well – with it you can easily “observe” your four-legged friend from the next room or even from work using your smartphone, tablet or computer. You can find more on this topic in this text.

Reasons for constant licking

The reasons, There are many different factors that cause the dog to repeatedly examine things with his tongue. Often just playing curiosity a role – puppies and young dogs in particular often want to try out what something interesting tastes like. Also conscious provocations or border crossings are not uncommon, especially for four-legged friends in their “bool years”. This is actually nothing to worry about.

But there is also psychological and physical causes, which cause the dog to lick almost everything. In the worst case scenario, there may even be a very serious illness that requires immediate veterinary treatment.

So that you know what could be behind the constant licking, I have listed them below most common causes summarized for you.

hunger & appetite

If your pet only occasionally starts licking the floor or a crack in the furniture, it is very likely that there is a relatively harmless cause behind it: It is then very possible that the animal is simply eating one sniffed the delicious smell and is now trying to incorporate it – so he simply has Hunger or appetite.

In most cases this is even justified: in most cases there are – sometimes tiny – Leftover food on the floor, crumbs and other debris in furniture also wake them up feeding instincts of the dog.

These “cravings” often occur when the dog has just exhausted himself and needs food quickly. Due to the small amounts that are then consumed, there is actually no risk that the dog would gain excess weight.

Boredom, insecurity, stress & behavioral disorders

However, there is much more reason for concern if psychological factors play a role. When the dog then uses its tongue – whether towards itself or on objects – it is somewhat comparable to how we humans bite our nails.

Licking then means: “I don’t feel well and I want to cover up my dissatisfaction.” This can then be done, for example

• Boredom (dog is not busy)
• Too little attention from his caregivers
• Fear & insecurity, especially in connection with separation anxiety and also
• Stress, for example due to too little rest or “bullying” by other pets

lay.

Nervous, restless licking is often the first sign you notice as a dog owner. But then the suffering of the four-legged friend is often much more profound: There is a risk of long-term behavioral problems, including aggressiveness.

Social interaction

If the dog you or other people Licking with your tongue is actually not malicious: licking is a dog's communication strategy that is used from childhood.

The mother looks after her litter by, among other things, licking the puppies. Dog siblings also “treat” each other with their tongues. The behavior is one of the earliest social interaction patterns of four-legged friends. Older dogs also come into contact with their fellow dogs in this way and, for example, signal their submissiveness.

So when your darling licks you, it means affection. He shows you that he really loves you and trusts you. For hygiene reasons, however, it may be appropriate to still give him his Boundaries to show.

Need for hygiene of the dog

If the dog licks itself, This is also completely normal: The tongue is an important part of the four-legged friend's care program, so it is used for personal hygiene.

This means: If something bothers the animal, it licks itself. This is particularly important when it comes to intimate care bitches in heat Clean yourself particularly regularly during your menstrual phase.

Skin diseases & itching

That too “licking wounds” Part of it is that the dog keeps the open area clean. However, this can also cause complications, as saliva is not sterile.

If your four-legged friend apparently practices excessive physical hygiene, it could also be due to the skin. Certain ailments such as fungal infections or dry skin Very often lead to itching, which is very unpleasant for the animal. The dog then often initially reacts with constant licking.

Neurological Causes

If the dog constantly licks things, itself and others for no apparent reason, there could also be neurological causes behind it. Older four-legged friends in particular suffer from this from time to time Dementia.

They then become disoriented and often no longer recognize their long-time caregiver. In their uncertainty, they then rely on theirs Basic instincts. This also includes licking, with which the four-legged friends try to locate familiar things.

If your dog suffers from dementia, he will still other symptoms have. This neurological disease is almost always accompanied by incontinence, negative changes in behavior and aimlessness.