What Causes Dogs to Lick Furniture?

Some dogs frequently lick themselves, their owners, and even their toys; this is a perfectly natural behavior. The softer furnishings in the house, such as couches, chairs, beds, and carpets, are frequently the targets of dog furniture licking. So why do dogs lick furniture in the first place? It might be innocuous or it might be a pain. Although there may be other factors, stress and worry are the most frequent causes of this behavior.

Five Causes of Dog Furniture Licking

Boredom

Bored dogs might lick furniture. Dogs have a lot of energy, especially puppies. Dogs frequently have excess energy during the day when their owners are at work and are unsure of what to do with it. When there is no one at home to play with them, many dogs will lick things they usually wouldn't lick to burn off energy. Most of the time, this is not a major behavior issue, but if it is not addressed, object destruction may result from the licking. An excellent strategy to avoid boredom may be to increase cerebral stimulation through food puzzles, lengthy walks, and brief training sessions.

Stress

A dog's improper licking of furniture or other things can be a sign of stress in a dog. In these situations, the stressor is frequently brief and temporary, such as a move, a new resident, a pet, severe weather, the departure of the owner, or even the presence of other animals outside the home. Your dog may lick the furniture as an indication that he is anxious about these things. When licking is observed, take into account increasing activity, taking anti-anxiety vitamins or drugs, making environmental adjustments (such as using noise makers during storms), and finding other ways to lessen situational stress.

Anxiety

Dogs frequently experience anxiety, which entails more chronic stress. However, in these situations, the dog does not effectively acclimatize. The same problems that might cause brief stress can also result in anxiety. Many dogs experience frequent anxiety attacks when their owners leave the house. These dogs may lick furniture or other home items to help themselves feel better. If untreated, this behavior may develop into a pathological one that is exceedingly challenging to change.

In veterinary medicine, separation anxiety is a well-known syndrome that, if addressed, may become hazardous to your pet and frequently detrimental to your home. Consult your veterinarian to learn how to stop separation anxiety from getting worse. They will be able to assist in making recommendations for drugs or methods that will be beneficial in your particular circumstance.

Disorder of compulsive behavior

Some dogs experience actual mental illnesses like obsessive-compulsive disorder in more extreme circumstances. These dogs have a propensity to lick furniture and other items, not just when left alone but also when people and their owners are around. These canines cannot be easily deterred from their inexplicable urge to lick things. Veterinarian intervention is necessary if your dog fits this description.

Medicinal Roots

A dog that occasionally starts licking the furniture out of the blue may have a medical issue. Pain, canine cognitive impairment, and gastrointestinal trouble or disturbance are some illnesses. It is critical to schedule an appointment with your dog's veterinarian as soon as possible if they start to display any unusual behavior.

What Kinds of Things Do Dogs Usually Lick?

Dogs typically prefer to lick softer materials as well as those that are more accessible. The dog frequently lays on bedding, blankets, and towels, thus these items are frequent targets. Couches, chairs, blankets, and carpets are among other common household items that get licked.

Do Some Dogs Lick Furniture More Frequently?

The canines that will lick furniture cannot be predicted in advance. Breed, gender, or age predispositions don't exist. However, personality does matter, and affected dogs tend to be more generally stressed canines. In addition, furniture lickers are frequently dogs who are frequently ignored, crated, or left alone for protracted periods.

How to Get Rid of Dogs That Lick Furniture

Investigating the cause is the first step in helping your dog stop this behavior. With this resolve, you'll be able to put tactics into action that will benefit both your dog and your furniture.

Spending extra time with the dog, taking them on walks, and including exercise where it's medically possible can all be very beneficial if you detect boredom as the problem. When the dog must be left alone at home, keep the lights on, turn on the radio or TV, and make sure they have lots of suitable toys. Puzzle toys are a popular way to keep dogs entertained and active. Some people might favor chewing toys.

Stress management is advantageous for both you and your dog. Even while some stressors can't be avoided, limiting your dog's exposure to them could be beneficial. Attempting to protect or divert the dog from stressful circumstances is another option.

As previously noted, you should schedule an appointment for your dog with their veterinarian as soon as possible if you have any worries about a potential medical ailment. The licking behavior can be controlled by managing the underlying condition.

The greatest person to turn to for help in identifying and treating anxiety problems, as well as suspected OCD, is your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will rule out any underlying medical conditions and can treat mental disorders with medication, training, and environmental enrichment. Additionally, they can suggest qualified trainers who can lessen the behavior.