Is your dog licking a lot and you are not sure if it is normal? Discover why dogs lick, what counts as excessive dog licking, common medical and behaviour causes, and when to see a vet, with guidance from veterinary authorities and practical home solutions.

 

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Why Does My Dog Lick So Much? Behaviour Explained

Wondering why dogs lick so much is incredibly common, and in many cases the behaviour is perfectly normal. Licking helps dogs explore the world, bond with their families, and care for their own coats and skin. However, when a dog is licking a lot and cannot seem to stop, the same behaviour can signal pain, allergies, stress, or even a compulsive disorder. Understanding the difference between normal and excessive dog licking helps you protect your dog’s health and gives clear answers to questions like “Why do dogs sometimes excessively lick themselves?” and “When should I worry about my dog licking?”

Why dogs lick: normal reasons

Veterinary behaviourists agree that licking is one of the main ways dogs communicate and interact with their environment. Common, healthy reasons why dogs lick include:

• Affection and bonding – Licking hands or faces can be a social behaviour that strengthens the bond between dogs and people.
• Grooming and comfort – Dogs lick their fur and paws to clean themselves and to smooth or cool the coat.
• Taste and exploration – Skin can taste salty, and interesting smells on clothing, furniture, or the floor often invite a curious lick.
• Self-soothing – Gentle licking can release feel-good chemicals in the brain, helping some dogs relax, much like a child holding a comfort toy.

Searches such as “why does my dog lick me,” “why does my dog lick my hands,” or “why is my dog licking the air” are typical informational queries where owners simply want reassurance that this normal dog behaviour is not harmful.

When licking becomes excessive

Licking turns into a problem when it is persistent, intense, or starts to interfere with daily life. Veterinary dermatologists and behaviour specialists describe excessive dog licking as:

• Focusing on one body area or object over and over.
• Causing hair loss, redness, hot spots, or open sores.
• Disrupting sleep, play, or rest because the dog keeps stopping to lick.
• Being accompanied by whimpering, limping, or obvious discomfort.

Clinical guides from PetMD, WebMD Pets, and specialist dermatology clinics report that excessive licking can damage the skin, invite infection, and lead to conditions such as lick granulomas (thick, inflamed patches caused by chronic licking). Searches like “dog licking a lot at night,” “dog licking paws raw,” or “dog licking floor constantly” are long-tail keywords that often indicate a higher risk problem needing veterinary attention.

Medical causes of excessive dog licking

Most veterinary articles emphasise that medical problems must be ruled out before assuming licking is “just behavioural.” Common health-related reasons why dogs sometimes excessively lick themselves include:

• Allergies and skin disease – Environmental allergies, flea bites, food reactions, and skin infections are major causes of itchy skin and paw licking.
• Pain or joint problems – Dogs may lick a painful joint or limb with arthritis, injury, or spinal pain.
• Parasites – Fleas, mites, or ticks can make dogs bite and lick their skin repeatedly, even when parasites are hard to see.
• Gastrointestinal issues and nausea – Studies show a strong link between excessive licking of surfaces (floors, carpets, walls) and stomach or gut disease.
• Hormonal or metabolic disease – Conditions such as Cushing’s disease or thyroid problems can alter skin health and comfort, raising the urge to lick.

Because these causes are not visible from the outside, authoritative sources like PetMD, WebMD, VCA Animal Hospitals and university veterinary hospitals all recommend a full veterinary check-up for any dog licking a lot or developing skin changes.

Behavioural causes and compulsive licking

If health problems are ruled out, vets then consider behaviour-based reasons why dogs lick excessively. These include:

• Anxiety and stress – Dogs may lick themselves, people, or surfaces to cope with stressors such as separation, loud noises, or changes at home.
• Boredom and under stimulation – Under-exercised dogs without enough mental enrichment often develop repetitive behaviours, including licking.
• Attention-seeking habits – If licking always brings eye contact, talking, or petting, some dogs learn to repeat it to get a reaction.
• Canine compulsive disorder – In some dogs, repeated licking becomes a true compulsive disorder, similar to human OCD, and may require behaviour therapy and medication.

Owners searching phrases like “why is my dog licking everything,” “dog licking crate bars,” or “dog licking lips and swallowing repeatedly” often fall into this behaviour/medical overlap and need clear guidance on when to call their vet versus a trainer.

When to contact a vet

Authoritative veterinary sources broadly agree that you should seek professional help for excessive dog licking if:

• Your dog suddenly starts licking much more than usual.
• Licking is focused on one area and there is hair loss, redness, smell, discharge, or pain.
• Licking surfaces or the air is paired with signs of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, or changes in appetite.
• Licking is constant and disrupts normal life, even without obvious skin changes.

Veterinarians typically perform a full physical exam, skin and parasite checks, blood and urine tests, and sometimes imaging or allergy testing to find the underlying cause. Treatment might include itch-relief medications, parasite control, pain relief, dietary changes, gut treatments or, for true compulsive disorders, behaviour-modifying medication alongside training.

Practical home strategies 

For owners searching dog-centric solutions such as “how to stop my dog licking paws,” “home remedies for dog licking,” or “safe chews for dogs that lick,” practical guidance can meet both informational and commercial user intent:

• Address basics first – Ensure your dog has regular parasite prevention, a balanced diet, and the right amount of daily exercise and mental enrichment.
• Use enrichment and redirection – Food-puzzle toys, long-lasting chews, lick mats, and scent-games can redirect licking energy into healthier activities.
• Protect the skin – For vet-approved cases, protective sleeves, booties, or bitter-tasting sprays can help stop damage while underlying issues are treated.
• Work with qualified professionals – Behaviourists and positive-reinforcement trainers can help reduce anxiety-driven licking with desensitisation and counter-conditioning techniques.

Here are some other useful articles on the subject: “How Often Should I Feed My Dog?”, “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?” or “Why Do Dogs Eat Grass. 

• Informational – clear, evidence-based explanations and reassurance. This article answers those questions using up-to-date veterinary sources and practical advice.
• Navigational – reinforcing this blog’s credibility.
• Commercial – a helpful guide - 
• Transactional – helping you to move quickly from problem to solution. 
• PetMD: Excessive Licking, Chewing, and Grooming in Dogs
• WebMD Pets: Compulsive Licking, Biting, and Scratching in Dogs
• VCA Animal Hospitals: Compulsive Disorders in Dogs and Lick Granuloma in Dogs
• American Kennel Club (AKC): Why Does My Dog Lick Their Paws?
• Veterinary hospital blogs on excessive licking and GI disease.

About the author – Carina Evans

Carina Evans is a lifelong dog lover, pet-care educator, and CEO in the pet-products space, with more than two decades of experience working alongside veterinary professionals, behaviourists, and responsible breeders. Drawing on years of hands-on work developing natural pet-care solutions and speaking with thousands of dog owners, Carina specialises in turning complex animal-health topics into clear, practical guidance that owners can use every day. She has collaborated with vets and behaviour experts across the UK, Europe, and North America to create products that support dogs’ wellbeing while also protecting the home and garden. When not writing or testing new ideas with her own dogs, Carina can be found at industry events championing science-backed, welfare-first approaches to modern pet ownership.