The mother who licks the puppies since birth is one of the most natural behaviors for dogs, but like all things, there are several reasons why they do it.

So when do we need to worry if a dog keeps licking?

Are there any cases that require more attention and deepening from the owner?

The answer is yes. Let’s see what they are:

When dogs lick or nibble themselves in an excessive or almost obsessive manner (generally above all on the legs) there can be motivations of a physical, but also psychological nature.

Some of the main physical causes are:

• Contact allergies
• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Bacterial infections
• Food allergy
• Fungal infection
• Dry skin
• Hypothyroidism
• Parasites
• Joint pain
• Wounds
• Cushing’s disease
• Liver problems
• Reaction to some drugs
• Neurological conditions

Some of the main psychological causes are:

• Request for attention
• Anxiety, boredom and depression
• OCD
• Stress
• Nervousness
• A daily life without stimuli

There are cases in which our four-legged friend starts to lick himself due to a physical problem (for example a dermatitis), but gets used to the behavior carrying it forward even after complete healing. When the physical cause is resolved, the psychological one remains.

What can you do?

First of all it is necessary to identify the cause of the behavior, then by visiting the dog to the trusted veterinarian; if the latter does not find any problem of a physical nature, you can contact a (true, serious and prepared) expert in animal behavior.

In this case if there is some psychological implication at the base of the problem, you can modify your behavior towards the dog (and vice versa, of course) by helping him in his recovery.

Have you already heard of the Happy Care magnet therapy mat? Magnetotherapy is a form of physiotherapy that exploits electromagnetic energy for therapeutic purposes both in prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.

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