Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 10/19/2006

Question
Why would my small Beagle lick the carpet and eat the dustruffle of the bed? She even licks the bed she sleeps in.  This has happened several times.  She has plenty of water available.

She is a shelter dog and joined our male beagle five years ago.  She had been burned badly and lost one of her front legs.
She is well adjusted except for this and being afraid of storms.Lilly is around 20 lbs and can run well. She is in good health but had heart worms when we got her.  Our vet treated them and they are gone.

Thanks, Jude

Answer
Hi Jude, Thanks for the question. Dog lick for several reasons. When they lick materials like the carpet, it could be due to medical or behavioral issues. Does she lick her paws or any other body parts excessively? About 10 percent of dogs that lick their paws after eating might have food allergies.  TO check this, change her diet. Buy a quality food that contains NO CORN products and NO BY-PRODUCTS listed as the first four ingredients. Also change the main type of protein source - for example if your current food lists chicken in the first four ingredients, switch to lamb.

My first inclination is to attribute the licking to anxiety. Her fear of storms indicates that she is subject to be anxious at times and anxious dogs often lick materials and non-food items. Is the licking linked to approaching storms?

Next time a storm is approaching or when she starts to lick the carpet, place a doggie sweater or tee shirt on Lilly. Make sure it is snug all over her body. For an explanation of this advice, please visit
http://www.anxietywrap.com

If she is less anxious after you fit the sweater, you can attribute her licking behavior to anxiety. If she is not less anxious - that doesn't necessarily mean the licking is still not attributable to anxiety. It just indicates the wrap is not an effective tool to reduce anxiety.

She could be licking because you give her attention when she licks. The only way to check this is to take a video of her when you are not in the room. If she licks when you are gone, then your attention is not a contributing factor.

Next time she licks, get her interested in something else like a game of fetch or give her something good to chew. Macho Stix or bullie sticks are great chew items. You can get a Macho Stix at http://www.sitstay.com

It is always possible that she has a stomach ache. Check with a veterinarian first, but usually you can give a dog 1/2 of a chewable Pepsid.

The Pepsid may not help her stomach if she has other medical issues like pancreatitus. Have your vet check her thoroughly for any medical problem that could affect her stomach. If she is constantly eating grass, this is a cue that she might have a stomach ache.  

She may have started licking because of something in particular (stomach ache or anxiety) and now she enjoys licking - even though she is not anxious or hurting.

IF none of the other suggestions identify the cause, just kindly interrupt the licking by redirecting her to interact with a chew toy. Praise her for chewing the appropriate items .

Happy Training!
AT