So I just woke up (3am est) to a huge wet spot on the bed. My dog (1 y.o. mutt) was just laying next to me where he sleeps licking the sheet. He must have woken up in the middle of the night and started licking or he was licking up one hell of a drool puddle. The puddle is 12" in diameter and soaked through a quilt, a sheet, and two mattress covers down to the mattress itself. It smells like chicken soup (which is how I know he didn't puke or pee the bed). I took him outside to pee, he got a small drink of water a bit ago and now he's passed out by my side on the couch. I think I snapped him out of it when I woke up.
I don't think he got into anything to make him do this, nor was there any food on the bed at all for him to start licking at. I'm completely baffled as to why he started doing this. He doesn't compulsively lick anything at all. He doesn't have any psychological conditions other than seperation anxeity. This has never happened before tonight and I'm completely stumped.
If anyone has a similar experience, please share. I want to know whether or not to phone my vet at all.
Sorry about the wall of text buts its 4 am now and Im just worried about my pup. Thanks-
If the fragrance isn’t strong enough for a dog to lick (pants, beds, walls, the ground), they do it anyhow. It’s simpler to recognise a smell when it’s moist, which is why licking the thing helps.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may be a possibility if your dog keeps licking the bed for lengthy periods of time and does not seem to stop.
There are management solutions for dogs with OCD, but telling the dog “no” is pointless. If this is the case, seek the advice of a behavioural expert.
The tongue is an important tool for dogs in my opinion. Like a baby, a child is always putting things in their mouth, just like that. It’s another way to learn about a subject through touch.
The downside is that it might be a drawback as well. There are a number of conditions that can lead to excessive licking, including neurological abnormalities, vitamin shortages, and illnesses.
Pro Tip:
It’s likely that the dog has a painful memory of being cuddled and this is impacting his behaviour. In the event you were not present, this may have occurred Whenever you touch or go too close to your dog, you’ll know something’s wrong if he reacts with a sensitive response.
Table of Contents
Licking is usually appeasement behavior, kind of like grovelling, or worship.
Puppies do it to adults. Underlings do it to the authoritative dogs.
If your dog has been told not to lick YOU, he or she may lick the air or other objects.
HOWEVER, sometimes dogs lick things that have minerals, or a smell they really like. You don’t give much detail about what part of the bed. How often sheets are changed etc. Could be salt from your sweat.
Dogs who lick random objects are often found to have a gastrointestinal disorder of some kind. One study of 19 dogs showed that 74% who were randomly licking objects excessively had one of these conditions:
- Eosinophilic and/or lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the GI tract
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Gastric foreign body
Why Do Dogs Lick Beds and sheets
In need of more Physical Exercise
Most likely he/she simply needs some more exercise. (Plus the sheets probably smell and taste interesting to them)
My dog does this at night when he’s been cooped up in the house for too long (after a couple rainy days in a row, etc) and needs a really good walk/trip to the park.
Dog’s OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is what sprang to mind first. It’s possible that it’s linked to your dog’s perception of tension and stress.
Dogs have relied on chewing and licking to alleviate stress for thousands of years since it is an instinctive and fundamental action. It is linked to the basic human urge to feed and to have a sense of security.
Your dog’s attention is focused on the thing it is chewing or licking while it engages in these activities.
However, if it is doing so in reaction to stress, this may be problematic. Stress and emotional difficulties can be relieved by a dog’s licking and chewing on any object. It’s all up to your dog, of course, and how frequently and when they do it.
My friend’s dog spoodle, suffer from a severe case of contact dermatitis. Even though she’s well now, she developed this approach to cope with stress when we moved to a new place and she started scratching a lot.
Because of the constant itching, she first began licking her paws to relieve herself. But when we began the proper therapy, she began doing it all the time.
To my surprise, she began to touch and kiss me, as well as everybody else she could get her hands on. Since of the many upheavals in her life, and because we couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her skin for a long time, this is now her go-to method for coping with anxiety and stress.
The best thing we can do at this point is provide her with plenty of rawhide and other natural chews.
Even more so, we are making every effort to ensure that she has a routine that she can rely on, so any adjustments must be made gradually. We keep her busy with a variety of intellectual games, which helps her stay organised and prevents her from becoming distracted by the want to lick.
Pets(Dags & cats) like your Pheromones
There are a number of reasons for this: First and foremost, it smells like you and probably tastes salty from your nighttime perspiration.
Pheromones people emit affect dogs and cats, as well as any other animal that shares a home with their human counterparts. Fear “smells” differently than “sex” pheromones, therefore your dog may appreciate the fragrance of that.
Similarly, certain animals prefer specific pheromones over others. In the same way that some canines like gnawing on the crotch area of filthy underpants.
It’s also possible that the dog is licking its own body part and your bed is in the way. In order to keep my bed, couch, or any other surface dry, my dog frequently licks his paw. You know it’s been a hard day when you lie down to rest only to find yourself in a puddle of your own drool.
Dogs want to examine Smell:
Dogs frequently lick items (pants, beds, walls, and the ground) because they want to examine a smell but it is not strong enough. Wetting the smell (the thing they licked) helps to intensify the fragrance, making it simpler to detect.
If, on the other hand, your dog is continually and persistently licking the bed for lengthy periods of time, he or she may be suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It is ineffective to just tell the dog “no,” but there are management approaches for dogs with OCD. If this is the case, consult with a behaviour professional to see what you can do.
Your dog feels more secure and at ease.
It’s possible that your dog is testing his tongue on your bed sheet to let you know that he feels quite secure and safe on your bed.
He might be participating in this action as well because he is really relaxed and pleased with the relaxing effects of your bed. Should you stop him from licking your bed if this is his motivation? It is all up to you.
Your Dog is dealing with some medical issues.
Some medical conditions may cause your helpless dog to engage in the behaviour until you intervene.
Medical disorders such as megaesophagus or bacterial and fungal infections, as well as gastronomical discomfort, may affect his decision to lick your bed linen.
Seeing a dog specialist is non-negotiable at this stage if you want to figure out what’s wrong with your dog.
The dog specialist will also address any previously unknown diseases in his immune system and other portions of his body.
Separation Anxiety
Another probable reason your fur baby is refusing to leave your bed as soon as you go for a lengthy travel is separation anxiety. While you are preparing to leave the house, he will exhibit some uneasy body language.
This may only indicate that he is adopting the attitude because he already misses you. He couldn’t help but feel lonely and eager to meet you.
You should not make it appear as though you are planning to travel in order to keep him from being emotional or experiencing separation anxiety.
He is releasing tension and stress.
As humans, we will go to any length to relieve stress, even if it means doing stupid things. It is the same for dogs as it is for people.
As one of the finest methods to relieve tension, intelligent dogs participate in natural activities such as licking you or any beneficial item. As a result, instead of attacking your limb or body, your friendly canine may chose to attack your bedsheet.
Aside from licking the bed sheet, he may be shivering, whimpering, or panting, indicating that he is under extreme stress and strain.
If this is the case, you should look for better ways to help your dog cope with his stress.
This includes engaging him in frequent exercise, transporting him to a calmer location to ease his nerves, and, finally, visiting a veterinarian if the aforementioned symptoms persist for an extended length of time.
The Two Most Critical Facts About Your Dog
There are two critical characteristics about your dog that you should be aware of if you are to assist him in overcoming this tendency. Among them are the following:
* When did he begin the behaviour: This will assist you in determining what initially caused the conduct. It will also increase your chances of finding the most effective and long-lasting remedy to the habit.
* How frequently does he exhibit this Attitude: This is another detail that will offer you with critical information about the primary motive for his behaviour.
It is insufficient for you to understand the causes behind your dog’s conduct. You are required to take action by assisting him in discarding the mindset.
Consult a veterinarian for assistance if you believe the task is beyond your capabilities.
The main thing is to ensure that your adorable puppy is in excellent health and have admirable characteristics.
If your dog is licking his bed as a result of an underlying medical issue, your veterinarian will advise you on the best course of action. By lowering your pet’s anxiety and stress levels, you may regulate and eliminate licking behaviour caused by psychological difficulties.
Maintain a constant daily plan and routine for your dog, praise appropriate conduct, and avoid reinforcing undesirable behaviours by increasing your level of attention.
Feed your dog apart from his bed and keep the bed clean at all times. Daily exercise and a variety of toys and dog chews can help keep your dog engaged in the house.
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