Dog Licking Carpet Mercola

Your dog s strange behavior can sometimes be a cause for concern.

Dog licking carpet mercola. A dog licking a carpet or anything else over and over again could be a sign of stress. A study has also linked excessive dog licking with medical especially gastrointestinal disorders so a routine veterinary exam is the best place to start. Afflicted dogs don t limit their licking behavior to the floor they may lick virtually any surface in your home including the walls furniture and their own crate. An anxious dog however will often give off negative signs.

Your dog probably singled out the couches carpet and beds for acceptable reasons before the behavior became obsessive or compulsive and it has since escalated. The main reasons why dogs like to lick carpet and other surfaces are because of the condition termed as excessive licking syndrome. The veterinarian has coined this term to label that the licking behavior is more likely to be afflicted with other things too. Dog licking the carpet one possible explanation for this behavior is that the dog has a digestive problem.

A few reasons why your dog might be bored include lack of physical or mental stimulation. Obsessive and compulsive licking in dogs have a few standard causes. Dogs scratch lick or chew for a wide variety of reasons ranging from allergies to boredom to parasite infestation. When dog scratching gets out of hand it is often the result of allergies to food or environmental triggers including mold and pollen.

Many dog owners interpret licks from their dogs as a sign of affection but that isn t always the case. Many dog owners view dogs licking as a sign of affection similar to kissing. 1 this bad habit could be a sign you need to take action before the problem becomes worse. Many dogs lick the occasional carpet but some dogs are such dedicated floor lickers that veterinarians have coined a term excessive licking syndrome for the condition.

High energy dogs need to be exercised daily or at least have toys that keep them engaged and focused. Some dogs chew up shoes and furniture and you ll find some dogs licking carpet or other areas. Maxwell says if you notice your dog panting or furrowing their eyes as they obsessively lick the same spot in the carpet or on the couch it s time to have them checked out. Indeed when dogs have an upset stomach their instinct is to eat grass so they can induce themselves to vomit but in a domestic setting at home there s no grass to eat so the dog reaches out for the carpet or anything else in reach.