Why Would a Dog Keep Licking the Floor?

You love your canine companion, but sometimes his quirky behaviors can drive you crazy. One irritating behavior that seems to be common in dogs is licking the floor---carpet, hardwood, you name it.

  1. Considerations

    • One possible reason dogs lick the floor is obsessive-compulsive behavior. No, it's not just a human condition. Dogs that are under stress due to change, such as a new home, may develop some obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

    Significance

    • There also may be a medical issue resulting in the floor licking. Possible causes are Cushing's disease, seizures, liver failure, hydrocephalus and other neurologic diseases.

    Theories/Speculation

    • Another reason for Fido's floor licking could be that she just likes the taste or scent of your cleaning product, says Mary Burch, canine good citizen director for the American Kennel Club.

    Effects

    • The lingering smell of something yummy that has been dropped on the floor also may be attracting Fido. Dogs' remarkably good sense of smell can detect the odors of things dropped yesterday.

    Potential

    • Your dog may be licking because he is bored. She is self-stimulating with licking because there isn't anything else to do. He may just need another toy or two.