Excessive licking among older dogs may be the result of some different conditions. For example, your dog may suffer from a variety of different medical conditions, or he may be developing a new type of anxiety that has emerged through compulsive behavior. If your dog starts licking excessively, you should take him to the vet to consider all possible medical explanations. If the licking is unrelated to the medication condition, you can try to manage the compulsive behavior by creating a comfortable environment and stimulating your dog daily.
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| 6 Common Reasons older dogs Lick Excessively |
1. Take the canine to the veterinarian.
If your dog begins to lick excessively in old age, or at any time, you should take your dog to the vet. Excessive licking is a potential symptom of several different medical conditions that can be treated. Take your dog to the vet and explain when the licking began, what area of the body, or what objects the dog is licking. Possible causes of licking include:
- Allergy.
- boring.
- dry skin
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Pain.
- parasites.
2. Consider allergies.
Some excessive licking between dogs is caused by allergies. For example, your dog may have an allergic reaction to his food or something he eats. They can also experience an allergic reaction to environmental triggers, such as pollen or mold in the air. Allergies in dogs usually result in skin irritation, rather than sneezing or a runny nose, so licking can be a common indicator of an allergic reaction.
- For example, your dog may start licking their paws because they were exposed to an allergen.
- Visit your vet to diagnose the problem and treat it with antibiotics, steroids, anti-itch products, or change their diet.
3. Ask about nausea.
Excessive licking, usually from the air, can be a symptom of nausea, which can be linked to more serious illnesses in older dogs. Nausea can lead to increased salivation, causing your dog to lick in an attempt to remove the buildup of saliva.
- For example, diseases that cause gastrointestinal discomfort and nausea include liver disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, enteritis, and intestinal problems.
- Take your dog to the vet and have them run tests to determine if licking is related to nausea. Tests may include X-rays, abdominal ultrasound, blood tests, allergy skin testing, or even an endoscopy, if necessary.
4. Define if it is a neurological disease.
Excessive licking, especially among older dogs, can be linked to neurological disorders. For example, licking can be associated with a brain tumor, epilepsy, or hydrocephalus. These conditions are more common in older dogs and can often be associated with the progressive nature of the condition. Licking may be the result of a neurological disorder if:
- Compulsive licking is very difficult to interrupt.
- If the dog appears disoriented while licking.
- You notice other symptoms such as seizures or spinning in the course of the licking
5. Make a treatment program.
Once your vet has determined the medical problem that caused your older dog's excessive licking, they should develop a treatment plan. Ask your doctor how best to treat this condition. You will likely need to provide your dog with some form of medical treatment, which may include surgery, medication, or a change of diet. Read and follow the instructions provided with all medications and talk to your doctor about postoperative care.
6. Check for cognitive imbalance.
Problems including old age and dementia can also cause dogs to lick behaviors. Other indicators of cognitive impairment may include confusion, irritability, decreased desire to play, inability to learn new tasks, decreased self-grooming, urinary incontinence, and loss of appetite.
- Cognitive dysfunction should be diagnosed by a veterinarian. They will go through your dog's history and current symptoms with you to see if this may be the reason for your dog's licking.
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Although there is no cure for cognitive impairment, treatment, medication, and support can help your dog.
If you have an older dog that licks excessively there could be a number of reasons why. In this article, we explored six common reasons older dogs lick excessively. If you think your dog may be licking excessively for one of these reasons be sure to talk to your veterinarian.
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