Question:
Can you tell me about dogs licking?
My 7-year-old female shih tzu loves to lick everything, including the air. Is she lacking something in her diet? She is a rescued dog and has always licked, but much more so now. She recently had a stone removed from her stomach but otherwise is in great health. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
K.M., Palm Beach Gardens, FL Dec 05, 2011
Answer:
Dogs lick for many reasons: to express or solicit caregiving behavior and intentions; because they are anxious or suffering physical discomfort; because licking provides comfort.
The veterinarian must first rule out any disturbing condition in the dog's oral cavity, such as gingivitis, which might account for this behavior. Obsessive chewing in dogs is sometimes associated with tonsillitis, and it was at the root of one of my first cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in an English cocker spaniel who had a stomach full of stones! OCD is especially common in small, active breeds, for which psychotropic drugs such as Prozac may provide some relief, especially when coupled with a behavior modification program. Genetics, environment (boredom and lack of stimulation) and possibly chemical additives in some manufactured pet foods play a role in animal behavior.
Providing more activities and a natural diet (such as the home-prepared food on my website) may help. In addition, making turkey a frequent ingredient will provide more tryptophan (also available as a supplement), which may have a calming effect. Herbs such as valerian, passionflower and chamomile tea may prove beneficial; also PetzLife's' @-Eaze
(formulated with relaxing L-Theanine) and Vetri-Science Lab's thiamine-based Composure
.
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