Dog separation anxiety can be a real problem, especially for people with demanding work schedules.
Some dogs simply display slight signs, such as prolonged sobbing after their human leaves. Other dogs may exhibit more severe symptoms, expressing their anxiety by soiling your clothes and other things like pillows.
When you’re gone, pillows make the ideal owner replacement. Particularly to your dog’s ultra-sensitive nose, they smell like you. There is a significant probability that they may have been sobbing with your pillow if you return to find them curled up with it or if it is covered in their saliva.
If your dog experiences separation anxiety, there will usually be further signs. For instance, kids might gnaw on objects while you are gone or they might start sobbing hours after you have left and your neighbors hear them.
They like or need the salt from your pillow.
Dietary factors may possibly be to blame for this strange behavior. Dogs who consume too little sodium are more inclined to lick the salt off your pillow. Your pillow is salty, but why?
In addition to sweating as we sleep, our faces and necks exude a variety of dead skin cells onto our pillows. Your pillow will be very salty as a result of the two of them together.
The scent of your pillow will undoubtedly be detected by your dog. It most likely has the strongest stench in the entire room. When they do, they might try to lick it off if they prefer or require the salt in their diet, which would coat your pillow in saliva.
Your dog might have obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Additionally, there is a possibility that your dog has OCD. Like people, dogs can develop a problem that causes them to repeatedly engage in a particular behavior to the point of physical harm.
There are numerous ways that this could show up. While some dogs may only exhibit one symptom, others may exhibit numerous. They might itch a spot till it bleeds by continually doing so. They might spend hours chasing their tail or licking your pillow, which is unusually long.
Why does my dog constantly lick my bed linens?
Before making any assumptions, pet owners need to be aware of a number of things. You see, there is absolutely no cause for concern if your dog occasionally walks around your room and licks the floor or the bed.
However, if your pet is consistently licking your bed linens, you need to take into account that this may not be your pet’s usual behavior, and it may be time to take them to the veterinarian. The most frequent causes of dogs licking bedsheets are listed below.
Exploration
A dog uses his senses to learn about the world around him, just like you do. The key distinction is that a dog learns and experiences new things via its senses of taste and smell.
So you shouldn’t be concerned if your dog randomly licks your bed while wandering around. Your pet is merely getting accustomed to its surroundings.
They Smell You
Every dog owner will attest to the fact that their dogs revere the ground on which their owners walk. Many dogs are more than willing to risk their own lives to ensure the safety of their parents. They don’t simply love and be devoted to their owners.
It should come as no surprise that assistance dogs, therapy dogs, and even police or military canines are common. In other words, your dog is licking your bedclothes because it can taste and smell you there.
Because of the excess dead skin cells that are produced while you sleep at night, your dog can taste you when it licks your bed linens. I know that seems horrible, but because your dog adores you, it also enjoys your aroma and flavor.
Bad Behavior Unknowingly Rewarded
Many inexperienced dog parents unwittingly reinforce undesirable behavior. You see, if you pull your dog closer you and begin to pet it as it licks your sheets, your dog will believe that you value the licking.
You might not realize it, but your displays of affection can act as good reinforcement. In exchange for a decent snuggle, your dog may approach and begin to lick your bedclothes. Stop reacting in this way if the licking is making you insane. As an alternative, you can calmly advise them to get off the bed or choose to ignore the behavior until it stops.
Feeling of Isolation
Most dog parents receive advice to pay attention to their lifestyle during the adoption process. Avoid keeping dogs if you’re a workaholic, frequently away from home, or dislike being accountable for the welfare of another person.
You see, it’s commonly known that dogs are intelligent and sensitive animals. Therefore, if you don’t make time for your fluffy little friends, they will feel incredibly lonely or neglected.
Your dog might be licking your bedsheet because it senses your presence there the most. Your dog missing you is not something to be angry about. Giving your dog the love and care it needs is the greatest approach to break this new behaviour.
Even though you spend a lot of time with your dog, if they still act out or act crazy once you leave, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety.
It is possible to teach your dog to release tension in healthier ways, and there are times when obtaining a new dog will help your dog feel less lonely, prevent them from getting bored, and help them burn off energy.
In order to give your dog something to look forward to while you’re away, some exercise, and social playtime, you might also want to think about hiring a dog walker or someone to stop by and check on your dog in the middle of the day.
Obsessive/Compulsive Behavior
OCD in dogs can have several causes. Your dog can begin to lick not only your bed sheets but also every piece of furniture in the house if they aren’t given the attention they so well deserve.
You now need to realize that there are numerous solutions to stop such conduct. However, none of the techniques you use should ever be harmful to your dog or its psychological state. The most effective method of dog training is always positive reinforcement. In your custody, they should always feel secure and cherished.
Either your dog is untrained or you are untrained to train your dog, depending on the situation. The wellbeing of your dog and your personal peace of mind can both benefit from early training and socialization. Positive reinforcement should always accompany training.
However, an inconsistent regimen and frequent alterations may lead to canine OCD. Dogs are very intelligent animals that can quickly detect changes in their surroundings. Your dog is more likely to react to a difference the more noticeable it is.
Additionally, bear in mind that your dog’s behavior changes won’t typically be for the better. Animal behaviorists advise maintaining routine in your life even when significant changes take place so that your dog can benefit from familiarity and adjust to other changes more quickly.
If changes are necessary, they must be made to the environment gently and gradually. Changes can take many different shapes and forms, like a visit from a distant relative or the birth of a child. Pet guardians must prepare their animals well in advance for such situations.
Animals may exhibit compulsive behavior if they aren’t given enough mental or physical stimulation, so make time for playdates, intellectual games, and toys (this one is my favorite). Your dog’s compulsive urge to lick itself or your linens will be lessened by lots of playfulness or regular walks.
As we’ve already indicated, if you frequently leave your dog alone for extended periods of time during the day, hiring a dog walker is a terrific option.
Medical Causes
Your pet may lick at your furniture or bed sheets if they have one of many health conditions. Your dog licks more when they have serious skin allergies. It will lick itself and its surroundings much more frequently than usual.
Your dog’s itching will increase if it has parasitic, bacterial, or fungal infections. More licking results from excessive itchiness.
Regular vet appointments and keeping your home and your dog’s surroundings as sanitary as you can will help you prevent these unpleasant medical issues the easiest manner possible. The diet also plays a big part in how healthy your dog is overall.
Your dog may lick more as a result of arthritis or an underlying pain brought on by an injury. Dogs’ bodies create endorphins when they lick themselves to calm pain, which helps to lessen the pain. Again, a thorough physical examination at the vet helps prevent such issues.
Dogs with digestive problems may lick everything and everyone. Other signs of GI in dogs, however, include increased drooling, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dehydration, and shock. Observing the symptoms the dog has is the simplest way to determine what is causing GI.
The blanket gets licked by my dog at night; why?
The majority of the time, you can fix this strange behavior by identifying the situation your dog is now in and making the appropriate connections.
In descending order of most often to rare, we’ll go over the four main problems you’re most likely to encounter.
Behavioral Problems
If you recently moved and your dog doesn’t like the backyard as much, it may be because they don’t want to use the new leash you got.
Environmental factors may be the root of your dog’s behavioral troubles, so if you see anything in your home that particularly agitates your dog, think about moving it or removing it altogether.
But occasionally, it’s not that. When you tell them not to do something, sometimes they just won’t listen, and this is generally because you haven’t given them any behavior training.
A dog trainer’s help could be the solution you need to persuade them to quit licking their blanket because you may not come across as the dominant person in the family.
At the very least, consider this possibility. Bring them to a dog trainer to get their opinion.
List your worries and describe what you wish to be different. After spending just one day with them, they’ll be able to evaluate your dog, and training them might be enough to change their behavior.
Medical Problems
Medical issues could be another underlying problem. The issue is that blanket licking only serves as a warning that something might be wrong; it offers no indication whatsoever of what the exact issue is.
Dogs lick things to produce endorphins, which is why when they become happy upon seeing you arrive home from work, they frequently lick their nose or their face. They want to release those feel-good endorphins along with their excitement because they are excited.
When your dog starts licking the blanket too much, you should take them to the vet.
In this manner, you’ll be able to either rest easy knowing they’re healthy while looking for a different reason for this strange behavior, or you’ll know you detected anything early and your veterinarian may recommend a remedy. In either case, you are standing up for your dog as you ought to.
Nausea
If your dog is feeling queasy, they may just be licking their blanket, the couch, or whatever fabric is in front of them to occupy their time.
Watch how angry a dog becomes after vomiting up if you don’t believe you like it yourself; they droop their heads low since they equate it with “going in the house.”
They can be licking to pass the time and spit out less saliva. This is more intuitive than anything else, but if they frequently become sick, you might need to make a small adjustment to their food to help them out.
Skin Irritation/Infections
Your dog may be trying to scratch their back or other parts of their skin if they roll around on the blanket. If they lick their blanket before doing this, it might be to give their skin more traction when rubbing against textile surfaces.
You may notice wet marks on the couch’s sides in addition to the fact that they can lick their covers and roll around in them (usually where wood is structuring a cloth-covered area).
Then they would scratch against it after licking the spot. Get them checked as soon as you can and talk to your veterinarian about any potential skin allergies.
Why does my dog keep licking my bed at random?
Coming home to a content dog who is pleased to see you is the best feeling in the world. Typically, when a dog is excited, it will jump up to you and start kissing you all over!
The majority of dog parents don’t think twice about their dog licking their hands and face as a symbol of affection. But what if your dog continues to lick after that?
If you’re here, you presumably want to learn more about a particular preference for licking, such the reason your dog licks the bed.
Your dog can be drawn to you or potential food crumbs on the bed. However, your dog might lick the bed as a way of expressing tension, boredom, or separation anxiety. A digestive problem, pica, or an obsession could also be the cause of excessive licking.
As you can see, there are many possible causes for your dog to lick your bed. All of them are interesting to investigate, albeit some are more innocent than others.
Why is my dog licking the bed like it’s his job?
It’s a Grooming Habit, first
Dogs groom themselves to maintain their hygiene, much like cats do. They can rid their body of bacteria and grime by licking their dog bed, dog kennel, vehicle bed, etc. Additionally, licking causes the production of relaxing chemicals that can induce sleep in your dog.
It’s a method of communication.
Because licking is a method canines convey information, some scientists describe it as a type of communication. Dogs may lick their beds to indicate that they are at ease and satisfied with their surroundings.
3. It’s a defensive strategy
Some dogs lick their bedding out of anxiety or trepidation. The dog uses this to express their emotions. A clue that your dog is worried out about something in his environment is if you see him licking his boxer dog bed a lot.
It’s a Way to Express Love, #4
Some dogs may lick their beds as an expression of love and affection. Dogs can shower their loved ones with affection, just like people can.
5. They Enjoy How It Feels
Licking is one method dogs learn about their bodies and environment since they lack hands to pet themselves with. According to some experts, dogs lick their bedding because they like the way they feel.
6. It’s a Technique to Draw Attention
In order to attract their owners’ attention, dogs may also lick their beds. Try to pay your dog more attention when he’s not licking his bed if he does it all the time. To help him feel less anxious, spend time playing with him, taking him on walks, and caressing him.
7. It Indicates Hunger
When your dog is resting or sleeping, licking his bed, it can be an indication that he’s hungry. If your dog suddenly jumps out of bed and starts licking after emerging from a deep sleep, try rewarding him with a treat afterward.
8. It Aids in Stress Relief
The dog releases calming hormones through saliva when he licks, which can help him unwind and lessen stress. When you’re around, your dog could lick his bed because he likes having you around.
9. He’s tasting the area around him
Dogs are able to learn more about their surroundings, including taste, through their sense of scent. If your dog is licking his bed when you’re nearby, it’s possible that he’s trying to taste his surroundings to have a better understanding of them.
10. He’s Sick of It!
In order to keep their minds engaged, dogs who lick to pass the time may require extra stimulus and exercise. Make sure your dog spends a lot of time playing, exploring, and being outside.
