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Dogs are strange. There is no doubt about that, but it’s also part of their charisma. But why do dogs lick the carpet? Some dogs chase their tails, some roll in poop (gross!), some are terrified of the toaster! One of the strangest and most common things that dogs do is, lick the carpet.
Our pet friend can be very mischievous and if you not paying close attention you may never know or understand why they are undertaking certain actions.
What is the reason why dogs lick carpet? Why this odd behavior? How do I stop my dog from licking the carpet?
Let’s get to it and understand some of this fundamental questions. Starting with the elephant in the room.
Why Do Dogs Lick the Carpet?
There are a number of reasons why your canine friend could be licking your carpet. This ranges from being anxious, increased appetite, gastro issues or them trying to seek attention. They could also just be enjoying some spilled foodstuff that you may not be aware of.
It’s important to get a better understanding of each of the above and other reasons that could be leading to your pet licking your carpet. There are also different approaches to take with the aim of preventing them from licking your carpet in the future.
Anxiety
Dogs can feel bored, or anxious, even depressed. Their emotional pain can show itself in a lot of odd ways.
Anxiety in dogs is mostly experienced in dogs that have not been exposed to the outside world that much or have little to no interactions with other people other than the dog owner. Anxiety may also pan out from a very active dog that didn’t get the chance to clear out the day’s energy. This is why it’s important to always play or take your dog for a walk every single day.
Not doing this will lead your canine friend being super stressed and frustrated, leading to some odd behaviors.
Because your dog uses their mouth to interact with the world, sometimes they do strange things with them, like lick or chew the carpet when anxious.
Canine dementia and neurological problems can cause your dog to become obsessed with licking the floor. Even physical pain can cause this as the licking may be an outlet for the discomfort.
It’s Tasty
Maybe something yummy or interesting was spilled, and the taste remains. Because dogs interact with the world much differently from us, they depend on their sense of smell and taste.
They will happily taste and sniff interesting items instead of looking at them as humans do.
You should therefore pay close attention as to what could have been spilled on the carpet either by yourself or your kids – If the dog is licking that exact section of the carpet then its trying to sniff and lick what had been spilled.
Gastro Issues in Dogs
A 2008 study found a very strong connection between gastrointestinal problems and excessive licking in dogs. IBS delayed gastric emptying, giardiasis, or chronic pancreatitis have all been causes of an obsessive floor licking in dogs.
Gastrointestinal problem in a dog is associated with abdominal pains, vomiting, and diarrhea. When your dog is experiencing gastro issues; it may either try and lick the carpet, the floor or eat grass as a way to induce vomiting and hence help with the gastro issues. Genius right?
If a dog with gastro issues has been locked indoors, it’s more likely to lick on the carpet or the floor or even something lick the furniture to try and ease the discomfort.
Increased Appetite
Increased food consumption can be a reason why dogs are licking the floor. If your dog has a ravenous appetite or appears to be eating more than he usually does, and you find him actually trying to eat the carpet, your dog could have something called polyphagia.
Diabetes can cause the condition, as well as hyperadrenocorticism and pancreas issues. Even medication has been a known culprit to increase your dog’s feeding habits. A veterinarian will sometimes prescribe steroids to correct the problem.
Seeking Attention
Dog’s strange behaviors can sometimes persist because we go above and beyond to shower our dogs with attention. Attention can reinforce behaviors, allowing your dog to repeat them. If your dog craves attention, this can often be the case.
It may be because they truly enjoy the behavior and crave it. An attention-seeking dog will not favor positive reinforcement more than negative reinforcement. They are simply looking for any type of attention.
If the dog is bored, they may feel neglected. Some dogs get very lonely during the day, and once their owners return home; if they don’t pay attention to the dog, the dog may protest by licking the couch or furniture to get their owner’s attention.
Pica in Dogs
Have you noticed your dog consuming non-food substance? Did you see him eat a solid rock? Or maybe grass or maybe he started licking and chewing your furniture or your carpet?
This phenomenon is known as pica. The act of pets consuming non-food substance. Pica in dogs could cause some serious problem to your pet friend and could sometimes be due to some underlying medical condition.
If you notice your dog licking your carpets, that could be a case of pica.
Monitor this closely and get him checked by your local vet so you can rule out any underlying medical condition.
Something Stuck in the Mouth
Considering dogs use their mouth to do almost everything; sniffing, (playing with their toys, during feeding, e.t.c.) there is a chance that sometime stuff could be stuck in their mouth, throat or even their teeth.
With that said, licking or chewing the carpet could be a result of them trying to remove anything that may have been stuck in their mouth.
It’s therefore, important to always monitor such odd behavior and try and figure out if anything could be the matter with your dog.
Always ensure to get him checked by your local vet not just in such cases but regularly; so as to prevent any condition from being severe in the future.
They Enjoy It
Oddly, your dog may be licking things because they like it! It may smell good, or perhaps juice was spilled; it is a challenge trying to get to the bottom of it.
Usually, the licking will only last a few minutes, just enough to remove that yummy treat from the floor. Just be careful that your dog isn’t licking something that can be dangerous or toxic to them.
How do I stop my dog from licking the carpet?
The exact method to take to prevent your dog from licking the carpet would vary depending on the exact cause of the behavior.
You first need to rule out any medical condition. Get him checked by your vet to rule out any medical condition. This would help you understand if your dog is suffering from pica or from any gastro issues.
Its also recommended to take video recordings of the pet chewing or licking your carpet to better help the vet make the right judgment.
Secondly, you want to ensure your carpet is thoroughly cleaned whenever anything is spilled on them. In fact, cleaning the house thoroughly will play a crucial role in help with any licking while in the house.
For anxious dogs, avoiding eye contact or starting to expose them to the outside world could help with them taking some odd behaviors. Taking them for regular walks or playtime every single day would also really help with preventing them from licking your carpets and any other furniture.
Studies also show that offering your dog a bedtime snack could help with preventing your dog from licking your carpet. Snacks such as bread have also been known to help with stabilizing any acidic foodstuff offering quick relief. It can also help with pushing anything that may have been stuck in their throat.
Final Thoughts
Licking in dogs is quite common. They lick anything and almost everything. They lick to show affection but they also lick to show that they could be undergoing something deeper.
When they start licking carpets, it’s imperative that you pay a close attention to them and try and identify what could be causing that. Always start by ruling out any medical conditions by having them checked by your local vet.
Remember to also take necessary precautions that would help in preventing them from licking anything in the house. This includes; ensuring to thouroughly clean your household and all household items, taking them for daily walks and playtime as well as proving them the necessary attention they require on a daily basis.