Have you noticed your dog licking the couch or other furniture? In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common reasons for couch licking, along with tips for preventing it.
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Unlike humans, dogs often use taste to explore their environment. When it comes to couch licking, the most likely explanation is that he’s found some spilled food. Your dog may even enjoy the taste of the couch material!
Compulsive or obsessive couch licking, however, could indicate a behavioral or health issue. Reflux, boredom, and stress can all cause a dog to lick objects more often than normal, so it’s not something to be ignored.
This article explains some of the reasons why your dog might lick the sofa and when it could be a cause for concern.
Why Do Dogs Lick?
Before we discuss why your dog licks the couch, it’s important to understand why dogs lick at all.
Licking is an instinctive dog behavior, but it can mean different things depending on the context. Some of the most common reasons for licking include:
- For social reasons. Your dog may lick you, or another household pet, when offering affection or seeking attention. It can also be an appeasement behavior, when your dog is feeling anxious or unsure.
- When looking for food. Wolf puppies lick their mother’s mouth to get them to regurgitate food. If you’ve just eaten a tasty meal, your dog may try to lick the flavors from around your mouth. Your dog may also like the taste of something else on your body, such as body lotion or even salty sweat
- Exploring surroundings. Dogs use their sense of smell and taste to explore their environment. Anything with a strong smell may prompt your dog to lick it to find out more.
- Self-grooming. Dogs lick their paws, coat, or even bottom to keep themselves clean. Some breeds tend to be more careful about their self-cleaning regime than others. Shiba Inu, for example, are known for being cat-like and thorough with their grooming regimes.
- To clean or soothe pain or wounds. If your dog is in pain, or they have a wound or irritable hot spot, they’re likely to lick this area in an attempt to keep it clean. Licking can also be soothing for a dog in discomfort. Too much licking can, however, make a wound worse and increase the chance of an infection.
- Stress or compulsive behavior. Licking the air or random objects is a common behavior for dogs that are stressed, anxious or lacking enrichment.
Note: If your dog is showing signs of compulsive licking, you should get a vet checkup and talk to a canine behaviorist.
5 Reasons Your Dog Might Lick the Couch (And How to Stop It)
While couch licking is often nothing to worry about, there are times when it’s a symptom of an underlying behavioral or medical issue. If it becomes frequent or excessive, it shouldn’t be dismissed.
If you’re struggling to understand why your dog is licking the furniture so much, the five reasons below may help you narrow down the issue.
1. Health Issue
If your dog is excessively licking the couch, this could be a sign of an underlying health condition.
It’s always a good idea to observe your dog’s body language and behavior for signs of pain or other symptoms. Are they lethargic, defensive, or panting excessively? Any changes to his normal behavior could indicate a health issue. Getting a vet check-up to rule out this possibility is recommended.
Some health problems associated with excessive licking are outlined below, but this list is by no means exhaustive:
- Reflux or other gastrointestinal problems. Studies have shown that dogs with stomach problems like reflux, pancreatitis, IBS, or even blockages are more likely to lick surfaces.
- Cognitive or neurological Issues. Conditions like dementia can cause your dog to perform repetitive behaviors like licking. Usually, this will be accompanied by other symptoms, such as confusion and pacing. If your dog is prone to partial seizures, they can sometimes grind their teeth or lick more than normal when zoned out.
- Dehydration or hunger. If your dog has a dry mouth, they may lick things in an effort to relieve this. You should make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times to avoid dehydration. If your dog isn’t being fed enough, this can also cause them to lick objects more frequently.
- Dental disease. If your dog has an uncomfortable problem with their teeth or gums, they may lick furniture in an effort to soothe the pain.
- Nausea. Dogs that are feeling nauseous may lick items like the couch to try to take away a bad taste they have in their mouth.
When contacting your vet, it’s important to give them as many details as possible. When did the licking start? Does it usually happen at certain times of day? How long does your dog lick the sofa? Is it easy to redirect the behavior or is your dog persistent? And are you noticing any other unusual behavior or symptoms? It may even be worth videoing the licking for your vet to see.
The more information you can provide, the easier it’ll be for your vet to make a diagnosis.
2. Stress or Anxiety
Dogs who are anxious may lick objects in an attempt to soothe or relax themselves.
Studies have shown that the act of licking can release stress-relieving hormones called endorphins. This means that licking the couch could actually help your dog to feel better.
It’s important to understand what may be triggering your dog’s stress, so you can help them to feel more relaxed. Furniture licking can become compulsive if the underlying stress isn’t resolved, so it shouldn’t be ignored.
Some questions that may help uncover the root cause of stress include:
- Do they have separation anxiety when you leave? Other symptoms could include destructive behavior, barking, and toileting indoors.
- Is the environment noisy? Many dogs become stressed or anxious if there are loud or unusual noises.
- Is the dog wary of certain objects? Even stationary objects such as cloth airers could be stressful if the dog is unsure of them.
- Is the dog too cold or hot? An uncomfortable temperature can be stressful for any dog.
- Do they lick the couch more when you have strangers visiting the house? If so, this could indicate that the dog is anxious when meeting new people.
- Has there been a change in your dog’s routine? Dogs thrive on routines, but may become stressed if these are changed.
- Has there been a change in your dog’s living arrangements? Examples could include moving house, getting a new pet, or a new baby joining the household.
Removing the triggers, or helping your dog associate them with positive things, can reduce your dog’s anxiety.
Depending on how serious the problem is, you may want to reach out to a professional dog behaviorist. They’ll be able to help you with a desensitisation and counter-conditioning programme. This can help to change your dog’s response to these triggers from a fearful one to positive.
3. Boredom
If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise or mental enrichment, licking the couch may become a way to keep themselves occupied. This can develop into a habit if it makes your dog feel happier.
Making sure you offer plenty of physical and mental stimulation won’t just help prevent licking. It can also prevent other problem behaviors from developing, while keeping your dog healthy and content.
Regular daily exercise and plenty of human interaction are the best ways to keep your dog happy. Puzzle and interactive treat toys can also be a great investment.
4. Dropped Food
If your dog only licks the couch occasionally, he may have just found some food. While you might not realise you’ve dropped a few biscuit crumbs or spilt some sauce, your dog’s excellent sense of smell won’t have trouble sniffing it out.
Remember, the taste of spilt food can linger long after your dog first finds it, so they may return to the same spot later. You might need to use a stain and odor remover to get rid of the tempting smell (just make sure it’s suitable for the couch material!)
5. Likes The Taste or Texture (Especially Leather or Suede)
Some dogs might enjoy the taste or texture of the sofa. Leather and suede can be particularly appealing, as these materials have a distinctive taste and smell.
If you think this is what’s causing the issue, redirecting the licking to a more appropriate toy could be helpful. You could even buy one with a similar smell, taste, or texture.
Tip: Is your dog damaging your sofa with his licking or digging? You may want to read our guide to the best couch covers for dogs.
Summary
An occasional lick of the sofa isn’t something to be concerned about. In many cases, the dog has just found a crumb or patch of tasty spilt food.
If your dog is regularly or obsessively licking the sofa, however, the first step is to schedule a vet checkup. It’s important to rule out an underlying medical condition.
Stress or boredom can also cause couch licking. For dogs with anxiety issues, seeking help from a qualified dog behaviorist is always a good idea. It’s also essential to make sure your dog gets enough mental stimulation, physical exercise, and human interaction.
