Maybe he's just a clean dog but it gets annoying. He doesn't lick so much that his fur comes off or it bleeds. But he does it quite a bit. Maybe I don't pay him enough attention? He was abused by his previous owners as a pup. I can't figure him out. The vet has no answers. I don't think it's his food. I'm realy not sure. I do know that when I hold him he stops but even then tries to sort of lick.
2007-03-20 19:34:51 · 6 answers · asked by alexis 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
He is obvious interested in the scent he is putting off. My dog is a butt licker and I just tell him to stop and he goes away to do it somewhere out of earshot I am sure. Dogs lick, some more than others.
2007-03-20 19:44:04 · answer #1 · answered by MOMMY585 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My suggestion is to try a different food to see if it is food related, it take about a month to see major improvement if an allergy
If the food you are feeding has chicken in it try
Canidae's Lamb and rice formula it is a simple food with very little ingredients basically just lamb rice, some vegetables and oil
http://www.canidae.com/dogs/lamb-and-rice/dry.html
If that does not work try a food with no rice and only one meat source
Natural Balance has a duck and potato and a fish and potato
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/allergy/home.html
This is one of the best and least expensive ways to test food allergy but what ever food you choose must have limited ingredients. eg 1 carb and 1 meat protein only
THe other method involves allergy tests and is often a last resort for most people as it can get quite expensive
If the foods do not help and mostly his feet are affected it could a contact allergic possibly to grass, a set of booties of walking him on pavement sidewalks only may help.
OCD licking usually starts with an allergy that could be resovled but the allergy has go on so long that is becomes a habit, so one reason to check for allergies first early on before it does become an habitual habit
2007-03-21 04:44:55 · answer #2 · answered by OntarioGreys 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a lot of things that can cause this behavior. Where does he do this at? Allergies can make the paws very itchy, and dogs will obsessively lick. If he licks over one particular joint, it could be a sign that he's got arthritis there and it's painful. Sometimes it started as a scratch or insect bite, and since he's licking constantly, it stays sore so he keeps licking, or it started as a bite or scratch and now it's become a habit. You can try keeping it covered or keeping something like Bitter Apple or Fooey on it (sprays that taste bad to discourage licking).
2007-03-21 02:55:29 · answer #3 · answered by lizzy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you could lick yourself you'd do it all the time too. (Just kidding)
its probably a combo of things. First off, dogs, cats, and man animals show affection by licking one another. Your doggie may feel a little insecure from the abuse and this is a comfort thing, reminding the dog of being a puppy. Honestly if he isn't hurting himself..let him do it. The vet has checked for mites and such I would imagine so its no big deal. And also..it can -never- hurt to give a formerly abused pet extra attention. They don't ask to be mistreated, and they don't understand it either. A little comfort is a great gift to give your pet.
2007-03-21 03:34:10 · answer #4 · answered by Ivy Pandora 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He might have allergies or feels like something under his skin is bothering him.
2007-03-21 03:22:24 · answer #5 · answered by Patricia O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the other owner made him feel dirty. it is psychological. just pet him more. rub his head and be nice to him, and be sure to give him a bath once a month.
www.kcm.org
2007-03-21 02:46:10 · answer #6 · answered by aguyinthewoods 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋