Why Is My Female Dog Constantly Licking Herself

If your female dog is constantly licking herself, it's likely due to skin allergies or irritation, which can cause intense itching and discomfort.

Skin allergies can be triggered by environmental factors such as pollen, dust mites, or certain foods.

Some dogs may also lick themselves due to anxiety or stress.

Anxiety can be caused by changes in the dog's environment, such as a move to a new home or the arrival of a new pet.

In some cases, excessive licking can be a sign of a gastrointestinal issue, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Check this out: What Are the Signs of Allergies in Dogs

Your female dog's excessive licking could be a sign of a skin condition or pain, so it's essential to take her to the vet to determine the underlying cause.

Skin conditions can be a common reason for excessive licking, as they can be itchy and uncomfortable for your dog.

Pain is another possible cause, and it could be caused by a variety of factors, such as arthritis or injuries.

Your vet will likely try to determine the underlying cause, which is why it's helpful to bring photos or videos of your dog while she's constantly licking to help them figure it out.

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If all medical reasons have been ruled out, excessive licking and grooming in dogs may be a behavioral issue. This is often the case when a dog's excessive licking and grooming persists despite a clean bill of health from the vet.

Dogs may exhibit behavioral issues due to anxiety, which can manifest as excessive licking and grooming. This can be a sign that your dog is feeling stressed or anxious about something in their environment.

If you suspect that your dog's excessive licking and grooming is related to anxiety or a behavioral issue, it's essential to identify and address the underlying cause. This may involve changes to your dog's environment, such as reducing stressors or providing more mental stimulation.

Related reading: Dog Keeps Shaking Head after Grooming

Anxiety and behavioral issues can manifest in different ways, but one common sign is excessive licking and grooming. This behavior can be a sign that your pet is anxious or stressed.

If all medical reasons have been ruled out, such as itchy skin, infections, allergies, nausea, or pain, then the excessive licking and grooming may be a behavioral issue.

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Boredom can be a major contributor to behavioral issues in dogs. If you notice your pet self-grooming mostly when they are idle, it may be a sign of boredom.

Dogs need mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy, and one way to provide it is by giving them a job. Many dogs thrive on tasks like fly ball, agility, or obedience classes.

Increasing daily exercise can also help alleviate boredom in dogs. A tired dog is a happy dog, after all.

Try using time-released treats or puzzles with hidden treats to keep your dog's brain busy and engaged.

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Excessive grooming in dogs can manifest in various ways, including hair loss, skin redness, or oozing anywhere on their body.

Some pets may exhibit obvious signs of discomfort while licking or grooming, such as vocalizing, whimpering, moaning, or groaning.

Your dog's excessive grooming may be a sign of underlying issues, including skin conditions or pain.

A different take: My Dog Keeps Licking Her Private Area after Grooming

It's essential to identify the underlying cause of your dog's excessive licking, which can be a challenge due to many dogs avoiding showing signs of illness at the vet.

Common reasons dogs excessively lick include skin conditions, pain, or behavioral issues.

If you notice the following issues, the licking may be excessive:

Your vet will try to determine the underlying cause, and you can help by bringing photos or videos of your dog while they are constantly licking.

Changes in food, weather, seasons, medications, shampoos, or infrequent (or too frequent) bathing could all result in excessive licking in dogs.

Poor joint health can also cause a dog to lick the affected area.

If your veterinarian rules out any medical issue, it may be a dog behavioral issue, and it's essential to consider whether your dog has enough opportunities for entertainment.

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Autoimmune issues and food deficiencies can cause dry, brittle nails, which may lead to excessive licking. This is especially true if your dog's nails are frequently broken, cracked, or brittle.

Anal sac, urinary tract, or reproductive organ infections can cause your dog to lick their rectum or groin. Your vet may need to express your pet's anal glands to rule out infection and impaction.

Allergies, particularly environmental and food allergies, are a common cause of pruritus, or itchiness, leading to excessive licking. Omega-3 fatty acids, calming shampoos, and antihistamines can help treat mild allergies at home, but stronger prescriptions may be necessary.

Pain, arthritis, and wounds can cause your dog to lick painful areas on their body. Excessive grooming over joints could indicate arthritis, soft tissue injury, fractures, or degenerative joint disease.

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Fleas, mites, and other parasites can be a real nuisance for our furry friends. Fleas, in particular, are notorious for being itchy.

Your vet may perform a deep skin scrape to rule out any ectoparasites like fleas or mites. This diagnostic test looks deep in the follicles to identify any potential issues.

Some mites your vet will look for are contagious to humans, so it's crucial to identify them. If left untreated, these parasites can cause significant discomfort for your dog.

Fleas and mites can be treated with the right medication and care. In some cases, your vet may prescribe medication to help alleviate the itching and discomfort caused by these parasites.

If your dog's nails are frequently broken, cracked, dry, or brittle, it's worth talking to your vet to determine the underlying cause.

Long, cracked nails can be a source of discomfort, and a simple nail trim could solve the problem.

Autoimmune issues and food deficiencies can also cause dry, brittle nails, so exploring your dog's diet and health may be necessary.

Omega-3 fatty acids and other dietary supplements can help strengthen your dog's coat and nails, leading to less licking and irritation of the nail and nailbeds.

If your dog is focusing the licking on their rectum or groin, they may be experiencing anal sac, urinary tract, or reproductive organ infections.

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Your vet may first express your pet's anal glands to rule out infection and impaction, and a urine sample can show evidence of infection, blood, urinary bladder crystals, and inflammation.

A thorough urogenital exam is especially important in intact female dogs, as they can acquire severe, life-threatening uterine infections.

In some cases, a surgical biopsy of the affected area may be necessary to determine the cause of the licking.

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Skin infections can be a common cause of excessive licking in dogs. Bacteria and yeast can overgrow on the skin, leading to pustules, red bumps, or an abnormal odor.

Excessive bacteria or yeast on the skin can be diagnosed with skin cytology and/or culture tests. This will help your vet determine the best course of treatment.

Topical therapy, such as medicated shampoos or wipes, is often recommended to treat skin infections. This can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing.

Some signs of skin infection include hair loss, skin redness, or oozing. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult with your vet.

For another approach, see: Ear Infections in Goldendoodles

Here are some common signs of skin infection in dogs:

In some cases, a surgical biopsy may be necessary to diagnose the underlying cause of the skin infection. A pathologist will review the biopsy sample to look for abnormal cells and determine the best course of treatment.

Your dog is licking nonstop, and you're wondering why. It's possible that your furry friend is trying to soothe an irritated skin issue, like a food allergy or an insect bite.

Dogs have sensitive skin, and even minor irritations can cause them to lick excessively. This behavior can become a habit over time, leading to further skin problems.

Some breeds were bred for active jobs, but now they're often left with too much free time. To alleviate boredom, they might lick their paws or legs.

If you've recently changed your dog's food, it could be the culprit behind the excessive licking. Check the ingredients and expiration date to rule out any food-related issues.

Other potential causes include environmental factors like pollen or mold season, or household changes that might be stressing your dog out.

Recommended read: Food Intolerance Dogs

Dogs lick themselves for a variety of reasons, and it's not always a sign of something being wrong.

Some dogs lick themselves due to skin sensitivity, which can be triggered by things like food allergies or insect bites. This can cause them to lick the affected area to calm the skin and reduce itchiness.

Excessive licking can lead to serious issues, such as hair loss, skin redness, and oozing. It can also cause discomfort, making your dog vocalize, whimper, moan, or groan while licking or grooming.

A common sign of excessive licking is hair loss, skin redness, or oozing anywhere on your dog's body. If you notice these issues, it's essential to investigate further.

Your dog may also exhibit behavioral signs, such as moaning or whining when focused on an area, stopping play to lick or groom frequently, or having mats in their fur close to the skin.

If you suspect your dog is excessively licking due to a skin condition or pain, consult your vet for a proper diagnosis. They may recommend bringing photos or videos of your dog while they're constantly licking to help identify the underlying cause.

Dogs may also lick themselves due to boredom or lack of physical activity. Some breeds were historically bred for active jobs, but now they spend most of their time sleeping or waiting for their owners to return.

To address excessive licking in dogs, it's essential to identify the underlying cause and intervene early. If left unchecked, it can lead to "hot spots" or lick granulomas, which are highly irritated, infected, or hardened spots on the skin.

Here are some common signs of excessive licking: