The dog handler explained the reason for the dog's constant licking

Vladimir Golubev, President of the Russian Cynological Federation, said on Friday, July 31, that in itself, constant licking of a dog does not necessarily indicate a disease, but it should be evaluated together with other symptoms.

In an interview with Radio 1, the expert noted that dogs can have many reasons for constant licking, from boredom to serious health problems. According to him, it is important to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms and whether this behavior appeared suddenly or was observed earlier.

The specialist emphasized that in some cases, licking is the norm. This is how dogs clean their fur after a walk, get rid of foreign odors, or clean themselves up after going to the toilet.

However, if the pet is constantly licking the same place, the cause may be itching caused by insect bites, parasites, dermatitis, or a fungal infection. At the same time, redness, peeling and wet hair often appear.

In addition, licking may indicate pain related to, for example, arthritis, postoperative sutures, treated wounds, or problems with the anal glands. The specialist stressed that the dog's saliva does not accelerate healing, but can cause infection, so after operations, veterinarians use protective collars and blankets.

The expert added that the reason for this behavior can also be boredom, stress or anxiety. In rare cases, if a dog licks itself until it bleeds, but no physiological causes have been identified, it may be a condition resembling obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Golubev explained: if a pet lies quietly and is easily distracted by a game or a team, there is usually no cause for concern. However, in case of compulsive licking, accompanied by anxiety, whining, redness of the skin, bald spots, unpleasant odor or other changes, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian. According to him, such symptoms require diagnosis, and self-medication in such cases is unacceptable.

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In early July, Golubev told how to protect the paws of dogs from the hot asphalt in the heat. He warned that in hot weather, hot asphalt is dangerous for dogs, just as walking barefoot on a hot surface is dangerous for humans. In particular, the dog handler advised using special wax to protect the paws, and, if necessary, summer shoes for dogs.