Your dog has one stuffed toy it loves more than anything. It carries it from room to room, settles down with it on the couch, and licks it slowly until the fur on the toy is soaked. Some dogs suck on the toy too, or knead it with their paws, and fall asleep with it in their mouth.
It can look a little odd, but it is a common habit. In most dogs it is a way to relax.
Licking is how dogs comfort themselves
Licking is one of the first things a dog experiences. A mother dog licks her newborn puppies to clean them, keep them warm and help them pee and poop. Puppies lick their mother and each other. From the start, licking is linked with care, safety and closeness.
Adult dogs keep using licking to settle themselves. Many veterinarians believe the steady, repeated motion helps release feel-good chemicals in the brain and calms the dog down. Scientists have not measured the exact chemistry in dogs. The calming effect is easy to see. Dogs often lick more when they are winding down for sleep, and when they are a little stressed.
A soft toy is a good target. It is warm, it smells like the dog, and it is always there.
Common reasons dogs lick their toys
Getting ready to sleep
The most common time for toy licking is just before a nap or bedtime. A dog that licks its toy for a few minutes and then falls asleep is most likely using it to relax, much like a child who sucks a thumb or holds a stuffed animal at bedtime.
Comfort when stressed
Some dogs lick their toys more when something has changed or worried them. Common triggers include being left alone, visitors, loud noises such as fireworks or storms, travel, or a move to a new home. A dog with separation anxiety may lick a favorite toy when its owner leaves.
The toy tastes and smells interesting
Dogs explore the world through their nose and mouth. A toy that has been chewed, carried and dropped around the house picks up food smells, drool and the scent of the people and pets in the house. Toys that have held treats, or that once sat near the food bowl, may still taste good.
A leftover from early weaning
Puppies that were taken from their mother very young, before about 8 weeks, sometimes keep sucking and licking soft objects all their lives. The American Kennel Club notes that dogs that use blankets or soft toys for comfort usually keep the habit for life. It is generally harmless.
Mothering the toy
Some dogs, especially unspayed females, treat a toy like a puppy. They carry it gently, lick it, tuck it into their bed and guard it. This can happen during a false pregnancy, a common hormonal state that usually starts about four to nine weeks after a heat cycle. Other signs include nesting, restlessness and swollen teats, sometimes with milk. Most cases settle on their own, but tell your vet if your dog seems unwell or could actually be pregnant.
Boredom
A dog with little to do may lick its toy to pass the time. If the licking happens mostly when your dog is alone or understimulated, more exercise and play usually reduce it.
When licking may be a sign of a health problem
Occasional toy licking is nothing to worry about. Heavy licking of toys, floors, walls, carpets or furniture can be a different matter.
Researchers at the University of Montreal studied 19 dogs that licked surfaces excessively and compared them with 10 healthy dogs. Their findings were published in 2012 in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior. After a full checkup that included ultrasound and endoscopy, 14 of the 19 licking dogs turned out to have a stomach or intestinal problem. The problems included Giardia infection, inflammation of the gut, slow stomach emptying and pancreatitis. Many of the dogs licked less once their stomach problem was treated.
The researchers think nausea or stomach discomfort may drive some dogs to lick things, the way some people feel the urge to chew or swallow when they feel queasy.
Talk to your vet if your dog:
- Licks toys, floors or furniture for long stretches and is hard to distract.
- Started licking a lot suddenly, especially as an adult.
- Also licks its lips often, gulps, swallows repeatedly or eats grass eagerly.
- Has vomiting, diarrhea, a poor appetite or weight loss.
- Licks its own paws, legs or sides until the fur is wet or the skin is sore.
Mouth pain, allergies and anxiety can also cause heavy licking. Your vet can help find the cause.
Watch out for swallowed stuffing
The biggest risk with a well-loved plush toy is that it falls apart. Licking and sucking soften the fabric, and a dog can pull out stuffing, squeakers or bits of cloth and swallow them. Large pieces or a lot of material can block the intestines.
Call your vet if your dog has swallowed part of a toy, even if it seems fine. Go in right away if your dog vomits repeatedly, will not eat, seems tired or painful, or strains without passing stool. Do not try to make your dog vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
Keeping toy licking safe and clean
- Pick sturdy toys. Choose plush toys with reinforced seams and no plastic eyes, buttons or loose parts.
- Check toys often and throw away any that are torn or leaking stuffing.
- Wash plush toys regularly. In a 2012 study by the public health organization NSF International, pet toys ranked among the ten germiest items in the home, with bacteria, yeast and mold. Many vets suggest washing soft toys every week or two in the washing machine, then drying them fully.
- Offer a lick mat. A rubber mat spread with plain yogurt, pumpkin or wet dog food gives your dog a safe way to lick and can help it settle during storms or when you leave the house.
- Do not punish the habit. Taking away a comfort toy or scolding an anxious dog can make it more anxious.
