The origins of floor licking may be innocent enough your dog may have started it after meals when there were yummy crumbs on the floor but such purposeful licking isn t an obsessive or compulsive behavior.
Dog floor licking.
Since there are a number of possible reasons why your dog has been licking the floor it would help to consider what would make each of them more likely.
My dog was constantly gulping swallowing and licking the ground the carpeting bare floors etc.
Why is my dog licking the floor.
Licking can also be a sign of nausea in some dogs.
Obsessive floor licking can also be caused by boredom.
Possible reasons why your dog licks the floor are that there is food stuck there it likes the taste hunger thirst compulsive behavior illness anxiety or inadvertently rewarding the behavior.
Your pup might be licking the floor because of a diet deficiency nausea or something more serious such as cushing s disease.
Walk your dog daily at the very least and try to run swim or bike with him.
Thyroid problems can also cause obsessive compulsive behaviors including excessive licking.
If you regularly witness your dog licking floors walls furniture and any other surface they can get their tongues on you may have cause to be worried about your pet.
If your dog has excess energy stored with no way to release it many problem behaviors can occur such as chewing digging and licking.
If this is the problem your dog needs more exercise and mental stimulation.
In such manner most dogs will lick anywhere they want to lie down be it floor or couch but when the linking becomes too much that raises concern.
Once it becomes obsessive your pooch s floor licking is considered a stereotypy.
So if your dog is licking the carpet floor fabric or walls consult with your vet especially if these episodes tend to reoccur or last for a long time.
After an x ray the vet found his stomach was full of large pieces of tennis balls labels off of pillows twigs leaves grass etc.
While a snack may temporarily help if it s caused by acid buildup it s important to find the exact cause and address the underlying problem.
If your dog is licking abnormal places such as the floors or the walls or if your dog is licking his her lips frequently these can be a signs of gastrointestinal upset.
If you find your dog licking the floor all the time k9 of mine says you should first make sure the flooring is clean from food or cleaning product residue to ensure your dog isn t trying to lick something specific off the ground clean the area well with vinegar and water and be sure to rinse thoroughly with just water.
