Dogs licking their owners, showing joy at meeting them and showing affection for them, are not surprising and are truly endearing. However, if a pet constantly licks everything around them, it's a cause for concern. This behavior can have a variety of causes.
Attractive aroma from things
A dog's most important sense is their sense of smell. While humans perceive most of their surroundings visually, dogs rely on smell or taste. They are acutely sensitive to aromas that humans may not even notice. If a person or object smells pleasant, it will attract their attention, and they will not only actively sniff it but also lick it, trying to taste it. If the aroma is unpleasant, dogs may also lick the object to remove the odor.
Dehydration
Owners should not only ensure their pet's diet is adequate but also provide constant access to clean water, especially when feeding commercially prepared food. If a dog doesn't drink enough water, it can become dehydrated. The animal will try any way possible to obtain the missing moisture.
Owners should be wary of situations where a dog licks condensation on a window, a freshly washed floor, or objects that don't contain any moisture. In such cases, it's important to ensure the dog has enough water. Dehydration can seriously harm a pet's health, so it's important to keep the water bowl full.
This is how a dog calms itself down.
A dog's licking of itself and surrounding objects may be due to its emotional state. It may be due to a lack of attention from its owner and a lack of active time. If the dog is frequently exposed to stressful situations, this behavior may be a means of calming itself.
To prevent behavioral reactions, the animal needs to be given sufficient attention and care. The home environment should be comfortable for the pet; only then will it feel secure and not require reassurance. If the owner is absent for long periods of time during the day, you can diversify the dog's leisure time by purchasing various toys that can be actively played with even without human intervention.
Digestive problems
A dog with gastrointestinal problems may lick not only itself but also any objects it comes across. This could include floors, walls, furniture, and so on. This behavior is often triggered by nausea or stomach cramps. Licking anything and everything is just one possible symptom. Typically, digestive problems cause a number of more obvious symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to eat, weight loss, and deterioration of the coat and skin. If one or more of these symptoms are present, the animal should be examined by a veterinarian immediately.
This behavior often signals deviations in the dog's psycho-emotional state or physical health issues. A proper assessment of the situation will help break the dog's obsessive habit and prevent the development of serious problems.
