My dog licks everything excessively. Is this a health problem?

Hello. Licking unusual surfaces could be an indication of some deficiency in Pavi's diet, or could be an indication of some gastrointestinal upset, like parasites. Make sure you are feeding her the best quality food you can afford & have her stool examined by your veterinarian for parasites. If the licking persists, you may need a more thorough workup to see what the underlying cause of this behavior is. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi there! I'm so sorry to hear about Mud Bud's troubles. Sometimes older dogs can actually acquire dementia over time. This could be the cause of Mud Bud licking everything. There is also a condition called, Pica, where animals will ingest odd things, due to vitamin or mineral deficiencies. I always recommend evaluating yearly lab work in elderly animals (7+ years old) to insure that they don't have any health issues that may cause this. I also think that sometimes if dogs lose vision at all to any degree, which can happen in older dogs, they may start to lick things more often for sensory purposes. I think it is best to have Mud Bud evaluated by his veterinarian. They can get some samples for lab work and give him a full physical exam, and make sure that he doesn't have any pressing health issues. From there, they can make recommendations for his behavior. I hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck!

That sounds frustrating! If she is truly obsessively licking and is not necessarily taking pleasure in it, two things I would consider are a trial on anti-anxiety meds (these are prescription) and/or that some studies are linking OCD behaviors with gastrointestinal imabalances (which may respond to diet change and probiotics). I hope this helps!

Licking can be a compulsive behavior in cats, but the answer to your question depends on whether you are talking about your cat licking himself or routine household objects. When cats lick themselves excessively, that's often referred to as "over-grooming," and it's usually in response to itchiness or pain. When cats lick objects, like the floor or furniture, it's often a sign of gastrointestinal disease, and I would look for intestinal parasites or other problems, like inflammatory bowel disease.

I'm sorry to hear Chico is having issues with over licking. Excessive licking can be a coping mechanism secondary to an underlying anxiety or stressor. On himself, it can be secondary to a skin issue, such as allergies, skin parasites (fleas or mites), an infection or an underlying medical issue. I would recommend he be evaluated by his regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for his licking (medical vs behavioral), have any necessary testing done (skin scrape, bloodwork) and get started on a treatment plan that may help resolve his issue. Good luck!

Some dogs can exhibit OCD like tendencies. It sounds like Chechen may be one of those dogs. It can occur due to anxiety or boredom. Try to evaluate if Cheech is nervous or anxious typically. Or if you can distract him from licking with play time. Some dogs can be redirected others may not. In some cases you can discuss with your veterinarian and behavior modifying medications can be helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

It would be hard to say. It is a good idea to bring the affected pup into your vet to rule out any health issues or irritation that could be causing the excessive licking by your other dog, such as urinary infections, inflammation, etc. If your pup checks out healthy, distraction with other toys and treats, placing an Elizabethan (cone) collar on the licker so they can't lick things, and separating if it does happen may help break the habit.