Reasons Why Dogs Lick Their Toys
Dogs have a natural instinct to lick and taste things, and this often extends to their toys. There are several reasons why dogs might lick their toys, including demonstrating affection, testing for edibility, and satisfying instinctual urges.
When a dog licks its toy, it may be showing affection and bonding with the object, much like it would with a person or another animal. Additionally, dogs have a strong sense of taste and will often lick their toys as a way to test if it is edible.
This is an instinctual behaviour that is inherited from their ancestors, who would have licked food to test for poisons or to obtain information about the food.
Finally, licking is also a natural and instinctual behaviour that dogs engage in to relieve stress, so it’s possible that your dog may be licking its toy as a way to soothe itself.
A Normal Sense
Did you know puppies are born with their eyes closed and only open their eyes after one to two weeks? That means puppies explore the world with their sense of smell and taste for the first one to two weeks of their lives. Exploring the world with their mouth by chewing and licking is a very normal thing and something they continue to do into adulthood.
Boredom
Just like people, dogs can get bored if they aren’t mentally stimulated. Some dogs have a tendency to lick when they’re bored. To prevent your dog from getting bored, be sure to play with him throughout the day and make sure he’s getting plenty of exercise.
Thirst
On average, most dogs should drink about 1 ounce of water for every pound that they weigh, daily. This means a dog weighing 30 lbs should drink 30oz of water once a day. Licking helps stimulate the salivary glands to get rid of a dry mouth. Your dog could be licking their toy as means to get rid of their dry mouth because they’re actually thirsty.
Make sure your dog always has easy access to fresh, clean water. Some dogs don’t drink as much water as they should. If this is the case, you could try investing in a pet water fountain. Flowing water can be more attractive to your dog and encourage him to drink more.
Anxiety
Just like people, dogs can suffer from anxiety for many different reasons. Anxiety presents differently in every dog. Licking is a self-soothing behaviour. It releases endorphins in dogs and makes them feel good. This eases their anxiety. If your dog is constantly licking their toys, it could be a sign of anxiety.
If your dog has anxiety, he would experience other symptoms such as:
- Aggression
- Fearfulness
- Panting
- Pacing
- Shaking
- Depression
- Restlessness
- Destructive behaviour
Sometimes anxiety can be related to specific events or changes in the household, like a new family member moving in. If your dog experiences these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian.
Nausea
When dogs have an upset stomach or just aren’t feeling well, they often lick things to get rid of the taste in their mouth.
If your dog is nauseous, he would experience other symptoms such as:
- Drooling
- Not eating or drinking
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Retching or gagging
If you notice your dog is licking excessively and could be nauseous, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Dental Problems
Dental disease in dogs is one of the most common medical conditions seen by veterinarians. Over 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have active dental disease. Dental disease is caused by the bacteria in a dog’s mouth multiplying into a layer called plaque. The plaque then thickens and turns into tartar.
Constant licking can be a sign of dental disease. Dogs can lick in an attempt to relieve any oral pain or inflammation.
If your dog has dental disease, he would experience other symptoms such as:
- Difficulty eating or refusal to eat
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Bad breath
- Loose or missing teeth
- Red or swollen gums
It’s important to book appointments with your veterinarian once in a while so they can check your dog’s mouth. Daily tooth brushing and dental chews can also help keep dental disease at bay. If you’re concerned with your dog’s dental health, you should contact your veterinarian.
Canine Compulsive Disorder
You’ve likely heard of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in humans. Dogs can suffer from the same condition, but it’s called Canine Compulsive Disorder. Canine Compulsive Disorder is when a dog performs normal behaviours in an excessive and repetitive way. These behaviours are so excessive that it is difficult for the dog to stop and can even affect the dog’s normal ability to function.
Licking is a normal behaviour in dogs, but when licking becomes excessive to the point of interfering with the dog’s normal ability to function, it can be a sign of Canine Compulsive Disorder.
Primarily, Canine Compulsive Disorder is believed to be a genetically caused disease. Research is currently still ongoing into other causes for this disease in dogs.
Any dog can suffer from Canine Compulsive Disorder. Doberman Pinschers, Bull Terriers, and German Shepherds are three breeds that are most susceptible to it. Doberman Pinschers are prone to constant flank sucking, which is when they continually take the skin on their flank in their mouth and suck. Bull Terriers and German Shepherds are prone to constant tail chasing and spinning.
If you suspect your dog has this disease, it is important to get him to your veterinarian for a diagnosis as soon as possible. This disease can be tricky to diagnose. It can be difficult to tell if the dog is just being extra energetic or if he is being compulsive. It is helpful if you can video your dog’s episodes and show them to your veterinarian.
Dementia
We love our senior dogs, and it can be incredibly difficult to watch them age. If you notice your dog is forgetting things in his normal routine or forgetting tricks he once knew, it’s possible that he’s suffering from Canine Cognitive Disorder, or dementia.
Licking toys and other objects constantly can be a sign of dementia. Since licking is a self-soothing behaviour, it does help dogs to feel better.
If your dog has dementia, he will experience other symptoms such as:
- Disorientation
- Strange interactions with members of the household
- House soiling
- Depression
- Low energy levels
- Repetitive and restless motions
- Barking at nothing
Dogs with dementia often seem disoriented inside the home they’ve been in for years. They either seem to forget where they are, or they seem stuck in certain areas. Dementia can also affect your dog’s interactions with members of the household. He may start acting cranky or starting to growl out of nowhere.
Most notably, if your dog seems to forget basic things that he once knew, like tricks or his potty training, that could be a sign of dementia. Dogs with dementia may also experience other abnormal behaviour, such as having low energy levels and not wanting to move. Sometimes they bark excessively, even if they aren’t barking at anything in particular.
If you suspect your dog has dementia, it’s essential to contact your veterinarian immediately. In one study, up to 28% of dogs ages 11-12 years old suffered from dementia.
If your dog has dementia, it’s important to remember that your dog is likely feeling scared and stressed. The problems he’s having aren’t his fault. It’s critical to remain calm and patient to try to make him feel as comfortable as possible.
Conclusion
In most cases, dogs lick their toys as it’s simply in their nature and is nothing to worry about! There are some reasons that your dog could be licking his toys that are cause for concern. If you’re worried your dog could be experiencing one of these reasons, you should contact your veterinarian.
