Yes, your dog licking his bed and blanket is a very common behavior, but it can signal many things, ranging from simple self-soothing to deeper medical or emotional issues.
This constant licking is often concerning for pet owners. You see your dog licking bedding excessively, and you wonder what is happening. Is it just a habit? Or is there a real problem? Many reasons for dog licking blankets exist. We will explore them all here. From basic comfort to stress relief, this guide helps you figure out why does my dog lick his blanket all the time.
Grasping the Common Triggers for Bedding Licking
Dogs lick things for many reasons. Licking their own bed or a favorite blanket is usually one of a few key drivers. We need to look closely at the situation to know the true cause.
Simple Comfort and Self-Soothing
Sometimes, the simplest answer is the right one. Licking is a natural dog behavior. It feels good to them.
Creating the Den Scent
Dogs often lick their bedding to make it smell just right. They are marking their spot. This is a very basic instinct. A den needs to smell like the dog. Licking helps spread their saliva. This scent acts like a familiar, safe perfume. It makes the space feel secure.
Repetitive Motion Relief
The act of licking itself can be relaxing. It releases feel-good chemicals in the dog’s brain. Think of it like a human humming or gently tapping their foot when relaxed or bored. This repetitive action calms their nervous system. It is a low-effort way to feel better.
Exploring Medical Reasons for Licking
When licking becomes intense, it might point to a physical problem. Pain or irritation can drive a dog to lick an area obsessively. This is where we must be very careful.
Skin Irritations and Allergies
If a dog has itchy skin, they will lick to scratch. They cannot use their paws easily on their body parts covered by the blanket. So, they lick the fabric where they lie. Look for signs of hot spots, redness, or hair loss around their mouth or on their body. Allergies—food or environmental—are major culprits. This leads to obsessive licking dog bedding.
Nausea and Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Believe it or not, nausea can cause licking. Dogs experiencing stomach upset often lick surfaces, including their bedding or the floor. This is sometimes called “pica,” or eating non-food items, but licking is often related. If you notice your dog also drools a lot or seems reluctant to eat, a vet visit is urgent.
Dental Issues
Pain in the mouth can lead to licking. If a tooth hurts, the dog might lick soft things like blankets to soothe the area. Check their gums and teeth if the licking is focused around their mouth area while they lick the fabric.
Deciphering Behavioral Roots of Bedding Licking
A large number of cases involve behavior, not sickness. Dogs are complex creatures, and their environment plays a huge role in their habits. This often falls under behavioral issues dog licking bed.
Anxiety and Stress Reduction
This is perhaps the most common behavioral reason. Many dogs use licking as a coping mechanism dog licking bedding. When they feel stressed, they turn to this familiar activity.
- Separation Anxiety: When left alone, some dogs lick intensely. The blanket smells strongly of them. Licking helps them calm down until the owner returns.
- Changes in Routine: A move to a new house, a new pet, or even a change in your work schedule can trigger stress. The dog seeks comfort in the familiar texture and smell of its bed.
- Loud Noises: Thunderstorms or fireworks can cause intense fear. Licking the bed is a grounding activity during scary times.
Boredom and Lack of Stimulation
A bored dog will find ways to entertain itself. If a dog does not get enough physical exercise or mental challenges, they invent their own activities. Why does my dog lick his blanket all the time? Maybe he has nothing better to do!
If your dog is licking only when you are busy or when they are left alone during quiet times, boredom is a strong possibility.
Attention-Seeking Behavior
Dogs quickly learn what gets a reaction from humans. If you rush over every time your dog starts licking, even to scold them, you are giving them attention. They learn: Lick = Owner looks at me. This reinforces the behavior, even if the attention is negative.
Compulsive Dog Licking Behavior
In some cases, the licking becomes a true compulsion. This is more severe than simple stress relief. It means the dog cannot easily stop the behavior even when they want to. This is similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in humans. If the licking is frantic, relentless, and ignores other stimuli, it might be compulsive dog licking behavior. This usually requires specialized behavior modification plans from a professional.
The Role of Scent and Texture
Dogs experience the world largely through their noses. The bed and blanket offer a rich sensory experience.
Scent Marking and Comfort Scent
As mentioned, scent is key. Dogs possess around 300 million olfactory receptors, compared to about 6 million in humans. They actively seek out strong, familiar scents.
- Licking deposits saliva, reinforcing their unique body odor on the item.
- They might also be licking up scents left by other pets or even your scents that are trapped in the fabric.
Texture Appeal
Some dogs simply love the texture of certain fabrics. A soft fleece blanket or a particular type of woven material might feel great on their tongue and gums. This tactile pleasure can become a habit quickly. If you notice your dog also licking the carpet and bedding, the texture preference is likely a factor.
When Licking Crosses the Line: Recognizing Excessive Behavior
It is normal for a dog to briefly lick their bed before settling down. The problem arises when it interferes with their life or causes harm.
| Sign of Normal Licking | Sign of Excessive Licking |
|---|---|
| Short duration (a few minutes) | Continuous licking for long periods (15+ minutes) |
| Calm dog, relaxed posture | Restless, anxious, or focused licking |
| No visible damage to the dog or bedding | Soaked bedding, raw skin, or shredded fabric |
| Happens occasionally | Happens daily, often at specific times |
If you see signs of dog chewing and licking bedding that leads to destruction, or if the licking is constant, it demands further action.
Practical Steps for Owners: What To Do Next
When you observe this behavior, the next step is a systematic investigation. Start with the easiest explanations and move toward the more complex ones.
Step 1: Rule Out Medical Issues First
Always start here. A physical exam by your veterinarian is essential.
- Full Physical Exam: Your vet will check the dog’s mouth, skin, and abdomen.
- Allergy Testing: If skin issues are suspected, allergy testing may be necessary.
- Diet Review: If GI upset is suspected, you may need to try a temporary bland diet or switch to a hypoallergenic food.
If the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, you can focus on the environment and behavior.
Step 2: Assess the Environment for Stressors
Look around your dog’s world. Is anything new or disruptive?
- Routine Check: Are feeding times, walk times, and play times consistent? A chaotic schedule stresses dogs.
- Enrichment Audit: Does your dog have enough to do? A tired dog is less likely to develop obsessive licking dog bedding. Increase daily walks, puzzle toys, and training sessions.
- Comfort Level: Is the sleeping area safe and quiet? Move the bed away from high-traffic areas or loud appliances if possible.
Step 3: Modify the Licking Opportunity
If you cannot stop the licking immediately, you can manage the environment. This is crucial when dealing with dog chewing and licking bedding.
- Change the Bedding: Offer different textures. If the dog loves fleece, try canvas. If they destroy the bed, provide a simpler, durable mat that is less inviting to chew on.
- Supervise and Interrupt: When you see the licking start, redirect the dog gently. Do not yell. Use a cheerful voice to call them over for a short game or a treat puzzle. This breaks the cycle.
- Use Deterrents (Carefully): For items they lick but don’t eat, you can sometimes apply a safe, bitter spray designed for pets. However, if the licking is anxiety-driven, a bad taste might just make the anxiety worse. Use this tactic only after ruling out strong anxiety.
Step 4: Addressing Anxiety and Compulsion
When anxiety is the root cause, the licking is a symptom, not the core problem. You must treat the anxiety itself.
Increasing Physical Exercise
Adequate exercise burns off excess nervous energy. A long, brisk walk is better than a quick trot around the block. Physical activity helps dogs feel more grounded.
Mental Stimulation
Mental work tires a dog out faster than physical work.
- Training Games: Practice basic commands for 10 minutes, several times a day.
- Snuffle Mats: Hide kibble in a snuffle mat. Finding food engages their brain deeply.
- Puzzle Toys: Food dispensing toys make mealtime a working activity.
Creating a Safe Space
If your dog exhibits anxiety in dogs licking blankets, they need a secure spot. This might be a crate covered with a blanket (if crate trained positively) or a corner of a room where they feel protected. Make this spot highly positive with high-value chews only given when they are in that space.
Seeking Professional Help
If the behavior seems truly compulsive or severe anxiety persists despite environmental changes, consult a certified veterinary behaviorist (DACVB) or a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) specializing in behavior modification. They can design specific counter-conditioning plans.
Investigating Specific Scenarios
Sometimes the licking behavior is tied to specific times or places.
Dog Licking Carpet and Bedding Together
If your dog licks both the carpet and the bed, this strongly suggests two possible causes:
- Overall Anxiety: The dog licks whatever soft, easily accessible surface is nearby to self-soothe.
- Texture Seeking: The dog enjoys the feeling of soft fibers against their tongue, regardless of the location.
In this case, focus heavily on increasing enrichment and reducing overall stress in the home environment.
The “Nesting” Lick
Some dogs lick and spin before lying down. This is classic “nesting” behavior. They are arranging the bedding for comfort. If this licking is brief and leads right into sleep, it is likely normal instinctual behavior.
Licking and Drooling When Alone
If you only see this behavior when you leave, it points almost exclusively to separation anxiety. The dog is distressed by your absence. Treatment must focus on making departure cues less stressful and building independent coping skills. Never punish this behavior, as it only increases the underlying fear.
Final Thoughts on Habit Change
Changing a deeply ingrained habit, especially one that serves as a coping mechanism dog licking bedding, takes patience. You are fighting against a self-rewarding loop.
Remember the formula for behavior change:
New, positive activity > Old, self-soothing activity
Every time you successfully redirect your dog away from licking toward a positive alternative (a short game, a high-value chew, a training cue), you are rewriting the habit. Be consistent. Reward calmness, not the licking. Over time, the need to lick the bed will fade as better coping strategies take over. If medical issues are ruled out, persistent compulsive dog licking behavior needs expert guidance to resolve effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How long should I wait before I worry about my dog licking his bed?
If the licking lasts more than five minutes continuously, or if you notice your dog is ignoring you or their favorite toys while licking, it is time to start investigating. If it happens several times a day, that is also a sign to pay closer attention.
Q2: Can I use dog-safe sprays to stop the licking?
You can try using pet-safe bitter sprays, but only if you are sure the licking is not driven by severe anxiety or a medical need. If the dog is licking out of fear, making the bed taste bad can increase their anxiety, potentially making them lick other things (like the carpet or furniture) instead. Always address underlying stress first.
Q3: Is it bad if my dog chews on his blanket while licking it?
Yes, if your dog is chewing and licking bedding to the point of ingesting fabric, it is dangerous. Swallowing large amounts of cloth can cause intestinal blockages requiring emergency surgery. If you see active chewing, you must remove the blanket and seek professional advice immediately, as this indicates a potential progression from licking to Pica.
Q4: My vet said my dog is healthy. What is the next best step for behavioral issues dog licking bed?
Focus on enrichment and anxiety reduction. Introduce puzzle toys daily. Increase structured exercise. Practice short training sessions to boost mental fatigue. If the behavior is still intense, consult a certified behaviorist to create a tailored modification plan.