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My old dog who is 16 yo has started licking the floors. He will just start licking the tile or wood floor and not a small spot either. I have never had a dog just lick the floor. The dogs do bring in a little dirt from outside and I do sweep it up but if I leave a pile on one side of the room while sweeping the other side, he will go over and start licking the dirt up.
He isn't eating as much as he use to and has lost a little weight but not much. I know he has arthritis as you can see his backbone and hips now, but he still walks around a lot outside although he sometimes isn't real steady on his back legs when he first gets up. I have to help him up when he is on the tile floor but he can get up from the carpet with no problem.
Your dog is 16 . My dog died in 15 and 3 months.he was so sick, could not see or hear.
Maybe because your dog becomes too old now. He can't aware what he is doing .
You have to respect his age.
Possibly a dietary thing. My trainer suggested my 1 y/o wasn't getting enough plant material b/c he was eating my hardwood floow, plaster wall, and the bark chips in the garden. 1/2 raw carrot/day stopped all that. Ask your vet.
My 16 year old Poodle does the same thing. He's healthy, not arthritic, has good dental health & just had a vet check up. He eats Merrick B.G. and gets Missing Link as a supplement. He's always had some compulsive behaviors, so we're thinking this floor-licking is one more aspect of that.
^^^I agree, sounds like a compulsion or a bit of senility.
I'd try to redirect the behavior though since there can be residue of floor cleaner on there. Maybe it's time for a small treat to change the oral fixation?
WoW.. you know he did have a lick sore just recently, I never put the 2 together. I am guessing senility. He is a big dog and the vet was impressed at how healthy he is considering his age.
It could certainly be canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome - known as doggie dementia. Pica (the ingestion of unusual substances) in people is associated with iron deficiency anemia, among other things. Either one is a possibility.
Your dog may be trying to vomit and since there is no grass inside than hair is their second choice. Believe me I know. My Archie has the most sensitive stomach on the planet especially for a big tough guy ( Aussie Cattle Dog/Chow/Pit Bull mix)lol and he can down a pillow case size of hair if I let him just so he can throw up. You might want to take him outside as soon as you see him doing this and see if he goes straight for the grass. Either way, let your vet look at him. Good luck!
My guess would be OCD as well. My male rottie is 7 and does that. He always has though. It's one of the reasons his previous owner surrendered him to my rescue years ago.
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