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My dog won't stop licking. Is it nausea? When should I see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pug | Female | spayed | 5 years and 7 months old

As I was told the obsessively licking that Bella is doing is a sign of nausea .. Is this seirous ?! What can I do ?! Should I bring her to the vet to get checked ?? Im so worried :\ its been going on for 3 days ,. I just don't know what to do... She's been eating ! Not puking .. Just the licking and swallowing thing :/

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Mariya Gugel, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 5th, 2018

Chronic licking is a common sign of nausea, as well as hypersalivation. Nausea can be caused by many conditions such as dietary indiscretion (eating things Bella shouldn't be), intestinal parasites, foreign bodies, and pancreatitis. If Bella is consistently doing this, it is worth it to rule out the conditions above. Your vet may recommend bloodwork, x-rays, and possibly an abdominal ultrasound. I hope all is well and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 27th, 2017
Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. What you are describing sounds as though Bella has a behavioral problem with excessive licking. The licking could be due to anxiety or boredom. Anti-anxiety medications can be trialed and your veterinarian can prescribe these or you can also contact a certified animal behaviorist in your area to discuss options for deterring Bella from licking. I would ensure you are providing Bella with plenty of distractions from licking, like a treat filled puzzle toy or long lasting dog chew. Kong makes a hollow chew toy that you can fill with treats or peanut butter and this tends to work well. If anxiety is the problem you can try over the counter supplements before resorting to anti-anxiety prescription drugs. NaturVet Quiet Moments calming chews with Melatonin seem to work well with calming dogs. I would try this first and the toys and if no improvement, discuss further options with your veterinarian and contact an animal behaviorist. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions and I would be more than happy to help further!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 21st, 2019
She could be irritated by something inside her mouth. If it is happening all day, then it is highly unlikely that it is a seizure. To be sure, I would video tape the event and then have her evaluated by your vet. THe vet can do a complete oral exam to check for signs of dental disease. Also if you notice she is grinding her teeth, this can be a sign of GI disease, such as indigestion.
I hope that things work out well for your pet Bella moving forward. Take care!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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