Why Do Dogs Lick Blankets And Furniture – PetDogsLife
One of the most puzzling things about dogs is their propensity to lick blankets, furniture, and other objects. It’s a behavior that is often greeted with confusion by dog owners and trainers alike. So why do dogs lick blankets and furniture?
Dogs may lick blankets and furniture because they enjoy the taste or texture of these objects. Dogs have a strong sense of taste and smell, so they may be attracted to certain flavors or textures on these objects.
In this article, we’ll explore each of these possible explanations for why dogs lick blankets and furniture.
Why Dogs Lick Blankets And Furniture – Possible Reason
There are a few possible explanations for why dogs lick blankets and furniture which are listed below:
Act of exploration
The dog has a strong sense of smell and they may be attracted to certain flavours or textures on these objects.
Displacement Activity
Dogs may lick blankets and furniture as a way of expressing dominance over these objects. In essence, they are claiming these items as their own.
Sign Of Anxiety
Dogs may lick blankets and furniture as a sign of anxiety or stress. Some dogs may lick excessively when they are feeling anxious or stressed out. This behavior is often referred to as “nervous licking.”
Bits Of Food
Sometimes dogs may lick blankets and furniture because they are picking up bits of food or crumbs from these objects. This is generally not a cause for concern, but it’s still important to keep your house clean!
Nausea
Another possibility is that dogs may lick blankets and furniture because they are feeling nauseous. If your dog is doing this, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any underlying health conditions.
Dogs may lick blankets and furniture for a variety of reasons. The most important thing is to observe your dog’s behaviour and see if there is a specific reason why they are licking these objects. If you can’t figure it out, then it’s best to take your dog to the vet for a check-up.
Joint Pains
In some cases, a dog may lick blankets and furniture as a way of self-soothing for joint pains. If your dog is licking excessively, it’s important to take him to the vet to rule out any health problems.
Canine Dementia
Another possibility is that dogs may lick blankets and furniture as a symptom of canine dementia. If your dog is displaying other signs of dementia, such as disorientation, it’s important to take him to the vet for a check-up.
Medical Reasons
Finally, there are some medical reasons why a dog may lick blankets and furniture. These can include allergies, digestive issues, and boredom. If your dog is licking excessively, it’s important to take him to the vet to rule out any health problems.
How To Stop Your Dog From Licking Blankets And Furniture?
There are a few things you can do to stop your dog from licking blankets and furniture:
1. Remove the object from your dog’s reach. If your dog is licking a blanket, take it away and put it in a place where your dog can’t get to it. If your dog is licking furniture, try using pet-proof covers or spray bitter anti-chew spray on the object.
2. Provide your dog with alternate objects to lick. If your dog is licking furniture because they enjoy the taste or texture, give them something else to lick that is safe and non-toxic. This could include a Kong toy filled with peanut butter or a chew toy.
3. Take your dog to the vet. If you can’t figure out why your dog is licking blankets and furniture, it’s best to take them to the vet for a check-up. This will help rule out any underlying health conditions that may be causing the behaviour.
4. Address any underlying health conditions. If your dog is licking due to anxiety, stress, or joint pain, it’s important to address these underlying health conditions. This may involve behaviour modification training, medication, or other treatment options.
5. Be consistent with your training. If you are trying to train your dog to stop licking blankets and furniture, it’s important to be consistent with your training.
This means providing positive reinforcement when your dog does not lick and punishing them when they do. Be patient and keep at it, it may take some time for your dog to learn the new behaviour.
Conclusion
Dogs may lick blankets and furniture for a variety of reasons. If you can’t figure out why your dog is licking these objects, it’s best to take them to the vet for a check-up. Some of the most common reasons include anxiety, stress, nausea, joint pain, and boredom.
There are a few things you can do to stop your dog from licking blankets and furniture, such as removing the object from their reach or providing them with alternate objects to lick. Be consistent with your training and be patient, it may take some time for your dog to learn the new behaviour.