While you may be looking for answers to the question of ‘why do dogs lick toys?’, we have a feeling you’re probably not at all surprised to find your beloved pooch getting up close and personal with their favorite toy - after all, licking is a pretty common canine behavior.
What’s not quite so easy to pinpoint, however, is why the best dog toys you’ve invested in seem to have become the recipient of your furkid’s overly-amorous affections. But fear not because we’ve been doing some digging to try and get to the bottom of this mystery and we think the potential answers may surprise you.
Some of the reasons your pup may be licking their toys are perfectly harmless, but there are a few on the list below, such as doggy dementia and Canine Compulsive Disorder, that may warrant some extra investigation.
If you’re at all concerned about your dog’s fervent toy licking or notice that it’s accompanied by other new or unusual behaviors, we recommend speaking with your vet who’ll be able to diagnose any underlying health issues and provide guidance around an appropriate course of treatment.
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1. Hunger or thirst
While it may seem like a weird way to try and fill their tummies, your dog may lick their toy as a way of letting you know they’re hungry. This is particularly likely if the toy they’re licking is one that you’d normally fill with their favorite dog treats, so it could be their way of saying ‘I’m starving, please feed me!’
Thirst is also a common reason for licking toys as this helps to stimulate the salivary glands, which can help to get rid of dry mouth. If you notice your dog isn’t frequenting their water bowl as often as you’d like but keeps licking their toys, consider investing in one of the best pet water fountains to try and entice them to drink up.
2. Exploration
Before they can even open their eyes, puppies will start to explore the world with their tongues and mouths, a behavior that continues on into adulthood. Chewing and licking are great ways for dogs to get to know their surroundings and it’s particularly common in the early days when a puppy is teething.
If you have a young fur baby in the house, the best teething toys for puppies have been specially designed to let them lick away until their heart’s content, and for older dogs, a durable chew toy can provide the perfect surface for their tongue to explore.
3. Separation anxiety
Dealing with separation anxiety is something a lot of pet parents go through and believe it or not, licking their toy may be a sign that your dog is having trouble being away from you. This is particularly prevalent amongst pets at the moment as more people start to return to the office after long periods of working from home.
Alongside separation anxiety, there’s also general anxiety and this is another reason your dog could be licking their toys. Think about whether there have been any changes in your dog’s environment lately. Houseguests staying, a new pet, or a disruption in their routine can all be enough to trigger a stress response.
We recommend you speak with your vet if you’re concerned your dog’s licking behavior could be a result of anxiety. They’ll be able to properly diagnose your pooch and advise you on the best course of action.
4. Canine Compulsive Disorder
You may have heard of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which causes some of us humans to have recurring thoughts that drive repetitive behaviors, but did you know there’s also a doggy version? It’s true! Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD) is just as real and can cause repetitive compulsions, such as licking and pacing.
There’s nothing abnormal about your pooch licking their toys every now and then, but if you notice it happening regularly, CCD could be the reason. According to Dr. Jerry Klein (opens in new tab), while it can affect all breeds, Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are particularly prone to developing compulsive licking behaviors.
5. Boredom
Boredom is a common problem for a lot of dogs and while some may deal with it by sleeping the day away or chewing up your furniture, others will take to excessive licking.
A good way to curb this behavior is to make sure your pup is getting plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Take them out for a good walk, play a game of fetch, or spend some quality time engaged in one of our favorite indoor games for dogs - perfect when it’s too wet to get outside.
If you need to leave your pooch on their own for a few hours, many of the best pet cameras double up as toys that also toss treats, which is a great way to help banish boredom. Leaving them with a challenging puzzle toy that has hidden treats inside can also make the hours whiz by.
6. Dementia
Often thought of as a human condition, doggy dementia affects up to 62% of canines between 11-16 years of age (opens in new tab) and can result in confusion, excessive barking, peeing and deficating around the house, and compulsive licking.
If you notice that your dog has only recently started licking their toys and it’s accompanied by other behavior that’s out of the ordinary, it’s worth speaking to your vet to see if your pooch may be suffering from a cognitive impairment.
The most important thing to remember is that your dog isn’t engaging in these behaviors deliberately, they truly can’t help it, so remaining calm and patient and avoiding punishing them will help them to feel less stressed and anxious.
7. Nausea
Who would have thought that feeling sick could be the reason behind your dog licking their toys, but believe it or not, it’s a fairly common reason you may spot them being more mouthy with their favorite plaything than they usually would be.
When your dog has a queasy tummy, either because they’ve eaten something unpleasant or they’re not feeling well, it can leave a yucky taste in their mouth that they’ll want to get rid of. Licking their toy will help them to get some of that bad tasting saliva out of their mouths.
8. Mouth problems
Licking could also be your dog’s way of wanting to relieve the pain that accompanies oral inflammation, which can happen when they’ve ingested and chewed on something sharp.
Gingivitis, which causes the gums to become inflamed and is the result of tartar buildup, can also become painful if left untreated. Make sure you get your pup’s teeth checked regularly, brush their teeth daily, and use the best dental chews for dogs to keep their chompers in tip-top condition.
