Why Do Dogs Lick Everything?

By Linda Cole

Dog behavior can be hard to figure out. Some dogs spend their days licking everything in sight. Why do dogs lick walls, floors, the carpet, a toy, us, themselves and even cats?

Most dog licking isn't anything to be concerned about, as long as it isn't excessive and the dog isn't ingesting bad things along with his licking. Dogs use their tongue and mouth to investigate and determine what things are. They're always exploring their world, tasting what they find. The problem with allowing a dog to constantly lick surfaces like carpet, furniture or floors is they can ingest hair, fibers, string, toxic products or other small objects, and these could end up blocking their intestinal tract.

Julia Williams wrote an interesting article concerning an eating disorder called Pica in cats. Pica can also cause dogs to crave nonfood items. Licking or eating dirt is a common nonfood item some dogs seem to relish, but why? A poor quality food could be the culprit and the dog is simply trying to get nutrients from the dirt that he's not getting from his food, or he isn't getting enough to eat and he's hungry. That's why feeding your dog a premium quality food like CANIDAE All Life Stages is so important to their good health. Licking or eating dirt should be discouraged because it can have parasites and other nasty stuff in it. If you suspect Pica could be the cause for your dog's licking, talk to your vet for advice on how to handle it.

A dog licking the carpet, wall or furniture could be saying he's bored and needs more exercise. Rule out any medical problems that might be causing his behavior first. If there's nothing wrong medically and an extra walk or playtime doesn’t curb his licking, then you'll have to use deductive reasoning to try and figure out what's bothering him.

For some dogs, licking can turn into an obsession, and that's when it can signal a dog behavior issue that needs attention from their owner. Obsessive behavior is a sign of a dog who's feeling anxious for some reason. Separation anxiety or fear could be the problem. A new pet in the home, a baby, new roommate or a change in their schedule can upset them. Some dogs lick for attention because even negative attention is better than no attention.

If your dog suddenly starts licking and there haven’t been changes in his routine, and he's eating quality dog food and getting plenty of exercise, there may be a physiological or medical problem causing his behavior. If he stops licking when you tell him to stop and he doesn't start up again, it's not a compulsive behavior. It's when he goes right back to licking or won't stop when you tell him to that is cause for concern. Talk with your vet or an animal behaviorist for advice on helping him break his habit.

A nursing mom dog licks her puppies, but this is one licking behavior we understand. Licking associated with grooming pups keeps them clean, but also stimulates body functions and circulation. Puppies and dogs will lick other pack members as a sign of submission and respect. That may be one reason why dogs lick us. Most dogs associate licking with pleasure. Licking has a calming effect on them and when they lick us, most likely they're trying to give us the same feeling and show us affection.

Wolf pups run up to pack members returning after a hunt and lick them around the mouth to get them to regurgitate food, which could be why some dogs lick us around the mouth. Through centuries of responsible breeding, dogs are far removed from wolves, but they still retain instincts from their past ancestry.

Dogs lick things they're curious about. In most cases, dog licking is nothing to worry about and you can curb it with more exercise, a premium quality holistic food like CANIDAE, or by understanding you've created a change that's upset them. If your dog licks everything around him, don't ignore his behavior. Rule out medical problems, and then observe your dog to learn what's bothering him so you can help him get over his dog licking obsession.

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Does Your Cat Eat Strange Things? It Might Be Pica

By Julia Williams

I have a “foodie” cat that likes corn, beans, peas, pasta, Cheetos, popcorn, scrambled eggs – pretty much any food that doesn’t eat him first. As a responsible pet owner I don’t give him these things, except for a small morsel once in a great while; I’m just saying he would eat them if he could. Although Rocky’s obsession with food is not exactly typical for a feline, it’s far less worrisome than the eating disorder known as pica.

Pica (pronounced “PIE-kuh”) is the voluntary ingestion of non-food items. While more common in cats, pica can occur in dogs and people too, especially children. Cats who have pica will eat things like yarn, tape, plastic bags, wool and other fabrics, electrical cords, plants, kitty litter, shoelaces and paper.

Why do cats eat weird things?

Although the exact cause of why some cats have a penchant for eating non-food items is not fully understood, a genetic component is suspected since the disorder is more commonly found in oriental breeds like Siamese and Burmese. According to Dr. Karen Sueda, DVM, pica has also been linked to a variety of diseases, including feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. Other suspected causes of pica include mineral deficiencies, diabetes, brain tumors and other illnesses. If all medical causes have been ruled out, pica may be a manifestation of behavioral or psychological issues such as boredom, anxiety, attention-seeking, comfort, compulsive urges, and learned behavior.

Cat pica is sometimes associated with wool-sucking, although the two are not really the same thing. Wool sucking is generally believed to be a compulsive, misdirected form of nursing behavior, caused perhaps by abrupt early weaning of kittens. Additionally, cats who engage in wool sucking usually do not progress to the stage of actually eating the blankets, sweaters, stuffed animals and other “objects of their affection.” You can read more about wool sucking in cats here.

Is pica dangerous for your cat?

Beyond the obvious perils of chewing on power cords, ingesting plants that are poisonous for pets, or consuming potentially toxic non-food items, pica is dangerous because the items could become lodged in their stomach or intestine. This blockage can be fatal since it prevents the passage of food and may cut off blood supply to the organs. If your cat regularly eats non-food items and becomes lethargic, vomits or displays erratic behavior, see your veterinarian immediately.

Treatments for cat pica

Because pica may be a sign of an underlying health problem, any cat who shows an interest in consuming unusual non-food items should be examined by a vet. If no medical issues can be found, treatment may include:

● Keeping the targeted items (blankets, tape, cords, plastic bags etc.) out of your cat’s reach.

● Redirecting their impulse to more appropriate and safer items, such as food-dispensing toys or durable cat toys. For felines who like to snack on plants, you could try growing some catnip or cat grass just for them.

● A copious amount of interactive playtime can help if the cause of your cat’s pica is related to boredom.

● Increasing the fiber in your cat’s diet (but please consult your vet before making any changes to their diet).

● Deterring the chewing by applying hot sauce, Bitter Apple or other aversive substances to the objects they favor.

If your cat eats weird things, it might be pica, or it might not be. It’s crucial to have them examined by their vet to determine if there are any underlying medical issues. This quirky behavior might seem cute, but it’s really not. And since it could be harmful to them, it’s something you will certainly want professional help with, so your kitty can live a long and healthy life.

Read more articles by Julia Williams