Why is my dog licking the floor?

Dogs do strange things. Sometimes they’re rolling around for no reason, other times they’re scooting along the floor or acting bizarre. They can be pretty puzzling creatures. But picture this: you walk into a room and find your dog obsessively licking the floor...again.

Some dogs like to obsessively lick the floor, whether it’s carpet, laminate, or tile. Are they looking for food? Is it a symptom of an underlying condition? We're here to help.

Here, we discuss why your dog is licking the floor, whether it’s something to worry about, and when to get further support.

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Common reasons dogs lick the floor

Dog floor licking surprisingly has quite a few causes:

Searching for food or tasty residue

Dogs have strong noses, and they can smell things like small crumbs and bits of food strongly. This attracts their attention, and they may be licking the floor to investigate if there’s food there. They like to jump in head-first when food is involved!

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Anxiety, boredom or stress

Dogs sometimes indulge in repetitive behaviours like excessive licking because they’re bored or lack stimulation. Sometimes, they feel entertained or self-soothed by repetitive behaviours..

A dog may self-soothe out of habit or due to a negative reaction to something in their environment, like loud noises, new visitors or separation anxiety.

Remember: obsessive, repetitive behaviours can indicate your dog has an underlying behavioural issue. We recommend that you get them checked out first by their vet and then by a suitably qualified behaviourist.

Nausea or gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort

Dogs may excessively lick the floor if they’ve got an upset stomach, like acid reflux or GI issues as sometimes it helps ease nausea for them. You’ll likely see excessive floor licking alongside more significant symptoms like appetite loss, drooling, gulping or restlessness.

Nutritional deficiencies or pica

When a dog lacks certain minerals or vitamins, they’ll seek out unusual sources like licking the floor or licking or chewing other non-food objects.

If you're concerned that your dog’s behaviour is excessive or persistent, always speak to your vet and discuss their nutrition. Never assume what your dog might be deficient in, as it’s important to make sure their diet is balanced and there isn’t any other underlying medical condition causing the deficiency.

A dog may experience pica, which is compulsive eating of non-food items like dirt, fabric, or plastic. It is not a particularly common behaviour, but it can be caused by a number of underlying medical conditions as well as anxiety or boredom.

Pica may seem like an oddity, but it needs sorting out as it increases the risk of your dog eating something poisonous or obstructive, which will need rapid medical intervention and could lead to serious consequences.

When floor licking is a cause for concern (red flags)

Sudden and persistent onset

Usually, a sudden, persistent onset of a new behaviour is a warning sign. So, if your dog suddenly starts licking everything, and it doesn’t go away, it’s worth a vet looking into. It may just be boredom or a new habit, but we’d get any potential medical causes checked out, too.

Accompanying symptoms

Keep an eye out for accompanying symptoms that come with licking, like:

• Behavioural issues, like anxiety, hiding, restlessness or other compulsive behaviours that are unusual for your dog.

• Neurological symptoms, such as disorientation or stumbling around.

• Stomach problems, like appetite changes, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Potential underlying medical conditions

Underlying medical conditions that can cause chronic licking include:

• Acid reflux (known as GERD)

• Allergies

• Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)

• Dental disease

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Intestinal obstruction

• Neurological problems

• Liver or kidney disease

• Pancreatitis

• Parasite infection

What to do if your dog keeps licking the floor

Observe and record

The more information you or your vet have, the better. So, try to observe and note down when your dog licks and if there are any triggers that set them off. Is it after eating? Before bed? When they’re alone or with people?

Then, see if they have any accompanying behaviours or symptoms that go with it, like drooling or lethargy. This will hopefully give your vet and you a general idea of what’s causing the behaviour.

Clean thoroughly

Dogs have a strong nose, so get rid of any scent or taste cues with a strong, pet-safe cleaner. We’re not saying your home’s not clean - it’s just that dogs can sniff out the tiniest smells.

Increase enrichment and stimulation

If you think boredom is the reason, then make sure your dog is getting an appropriate amount of exercise for their age and breed. Too little exercise will make them feel unsettled, while too much exercise can lead to feelings of frustration due to overtraining.

Dogs need mental stimulation, too, so make sure you’re taking time out to enrich and train them. Puzzle toys, progressively more difficult training sessions and trying out new walking routes, toys or games can help, too.

Other times, a dog just needs a consistent, set routine to provide security and reduce their anxiety. Work with your vet or behaviourist if you can’t pin down why your dog is feeling unsettled. You should also avoid leaving your dog home alone for long periods of time as this can make them feel lonely and bored.

Consult a veterinarian

Always see a vet if you’re concerned about a new, excessive behaviour or symptom. They can help pin down the exact cause.

A vet will likely perform a variety of tests for your dog, including:

• Physical examination to look for signs of pain or illness

• Blood work to see if your dog’s organs are functioning properly

• Fecal examination to look for parasites

• Urine analysis to check kidney function

• X-rays and ultrasounds to see if tumours or foreign objects are causing issues

• Specialised tests are conducted if a vet suspects rare illnesses like neurological problems

Potential treatment approaches

Honestly, it depends on what’s causing the licking. There are so many conditions that can cause it that it’s difficult to pin down a catch-all treatment approach.

Some broad treatment plans include:

• Dietary changes: Like an elimination diet for GI issues.

• Medication: For nausea, acid reflux, anxiety, or pain relief. Sometimes there’ll be specific medication for more complicated underlying conditions.

• Behaviour training or therapy: Uses positive reinforcement training principles to treat things like anxiety, compulsive disorders, or learned behaviours.

• Environmental changes: Pinpoints environmental causes and work to reduce these stressors in the home.

When to get support

Remember: don’t panic about floor licking. Often, it’s just a harmless quirk and another thing we can chalk up to “dogs being weird”. But obsessive licking that doesn’t go away is worth looking into.

Observe your dog, see if you can pinpoint why it’s happening, and always consult a vet if you’re concerned. Early intervention can make a big difference.

Our dog insurance can help with up to £20,000 vet fee cover on our Complete Care plan, plus all of our plans get access to a 24/7 video vet so you can access professional advice anytime, anywhere.

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