Dog's got the slurps..

elsien

and she's driving me up the wall.
Mutt is 13-14 ish. Always been a bit of a chewer and has had skin problems in the past where she keeps licking her leg. The vet thought it may have been a touch of arthritis in the joint which started it off, but then it turned into a bit of cycle - lick, itch, lick, itch etc.
Except now she's licking everything. Most of the time. Various bits of her legs, (not just the joint, but all over), her feet, my feet, the carpet, the footstool, her lead, the list goes on. It's getting almost obsessive. And when I stop her, she starts again as soon as my back is turned.
I will see the vet as her jabs are due soon, but wondered if anyone had any idea what the trigger might be? She's on evening primrose to stop the skin lurgs, plus assorted lotions and potions, but I don't think it's a skin problem as otherwise she'd just be licking herself and not the household furnishings.
I don't think it's purely attention (although that might be part of it) as she's doing it when I'm in the other room and can't see her.
Help - I'm spending half my time telling her off and I don't want to!

Sagz_2

Have you discussed using something like Selgain with your Vet? Or maybe Zylkene? It may help to take the edge of and break the cycle.

Hope you find something soon as I know the constant licking can drive you nutz!
Good luck x

elsien

I haven't talked it over with the vet yet - I'm not sure it's worth an extra visit so I'm waiting till we go for something else. Or until I do her a mischief - whatever comes first.

Is this something you've come across before then? I wondered if it was maybe age related?

Sagz_2

I've know a few 'lickers', mostly oldies that were losing their marbles a little and a couple of dogs that had kennel stress. I used Selgain on 2 oldies, no effect on one and the licking eased a little in the other. Most marked response was by a little dog that used to lick walls, after only a short while of taking Zylkene the behaviour completley stopped.

I know how frustrating it can be living with a licker - you just want to find something that will calm them down and give you both a little peace.

candygirl

My biatcch does the same.She licks our legs n feet, the other dog from head to foot and the leather sofas all the time:o:o

meritaten

could it be she is finding comfort from it? like sucking a dummy comforts babies? I would speak to the vet hun.

tankgirl1

It could possibly be a touch of senility? Have a chat with the vet - meds might help.