If you’ve noticed your dog excessively licking the bed, it can be confusing and even concerning. While the behavior may look harmless at first, it can sometimes signal underlying health or behavioral issues that need attention.
We outline the common reasons for dogs excessively licking the bed, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
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Dog Excessively Licking Bed — Why It Happens
Dogs may excessively lick the bed for reasons ranging from anxiety and stress to digestive upset or underlying medical conditions. Some dogs find comfort in repetitive licking, while others may do it because of nausea, dental pain, or even neurological issues. In some cases, it’s simply a learned behavior or a response to boredom.
Dog Excessively Licking Bed: Common Causes
Anxiety or Stress
Dogs often turn to licking as a way to soothe themselves when feeling anxious. If your dog licks the bed after you leave or during stressful events like thunderstorms, fireworks, or loud noises, it may be a coping mechanism.
This repetitive action releases endorphins, which temporarily calm them down.
However, if left unaddressed, the behavior can become habitual, even when the stressor is no longer present.
Separation anxiety is a particularly common trigger, and bed licking may occur when your dog feels comforted by your scent.
Read more: Dog Excessively Licking Couch (What it could mean)
Boredom or Habitual Behavior
When dogs don’t have enough mental stimulation or physical activity, they may create their own activities—like licking.
The soft texture of the bedding, combined with the lingering scent of their owner, can make the bed an appealing spot.
Over time, boredom-driven licking can develop into a compulsive routine. This is especially true in high-energy breeds that need more exercise and engagement than they’re currently getting.
Without redirection, what begins as simple curiosity can become a deeply ingrained habit.
Gastrointestinal Upset
Digestive issues, nausea, or acid reflux can trigger excessive licking behaviors. Dogs experiencing stomach discomfort often lick unusual surfaces such as floors, furniture, or their bed as a way to cope.
If your dog licks their bed and also shows signs like drooling, eating grass, refusing food, or vomiting, gastrointestinal problems may be the cause.
Conditions such as gastritis, pancreatitis, or intestinal blockages can all lead to nausea-related licking. Unlike boredom or anxiety-driven licking, this type of behavior usually comes with additional physical symptoms.
Dental Pain or Oral Issues
Oral discomfort, gum disease, tooth pain, or even foreign objects stuck in the mouth may lead a dog to lick unusual surfaces.
The act of licking may be an attempt to soothe irritation or distract themselves from oral pain.
You might notice other signs like bad breath, drooling, pawing at the mouth, chewing on one side, or dropping food while eating.
If dental disease is left untreated, it can cause serious health complications that extend beyond the mouth, including infections affecting the heart or kidneys.
Residual Smells or Spilled Food
Dogs are guided heavily by their sense of smell, which is far more sensitive than ours. Even if you can’t detect food particles, sweat, or scents embedded in the bedding, your dog may find them irresistible.
This can lead to frequent licking, especially if crumbs or food have been dropped on the bed before.
While this explanation is among the least concerning, it’s still worth addressing since repeated exposure can encourage habitual licking.
Regularly washing the bedding and keeping your dog from eating on the bed are simple ways to manage this cause.
Neurological Issues
In rare cases, excessive licking of objects like the bed may stem from neurological disorders or age-related cognitive dysfunction.
Senior dogs, in particular, may develop compulsive or repetitive behaviors tied to brain changes, similar to dementia in humans.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) often presents with other signs such as disorientation, pacing at night, or changes in sleep patterns.
If the licking seems uncontrollable and is paired with confusion, anxiety, or difficulty recognizing familiar people, it’s important to seek veterinary assessment.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Excessively Licking the Bed
If your dog licks the bed occasionally and the behavior seems linked to scent or habit, it may not be a major concern.
Start by washing the bedding frequently to remove odors that may be encouraging the licking. Providing your dog with plenty of exercise, interactive toys, and structured playtime can reduce boredom-driven behaviors.
Puzzle feeders, training sessions, and safe chew toys are excellent alternatives to redirect their focus.
For anxious dogs, creating a calm and predictable environment is key. Consider using calming aids such as pheromone diffusers, weighted blankets, or anxiety wraps.
Spending quality time with your dog, maintaining a consistent routine, and offering positive reinforcement when they redirect from licking to an appropriate activity can also help.
If you suspect stomach upset, adjusting feeding routines can make a difference. Smaller, more frequent meals may help reduce acid buildup that causes nausea.
Providing a high-quality, easily digestible diet may also improve digestive comfort. Dental care, including regular brushing, dental chews, and professional cleanings, can address or prevent oral pain that might be driving the behavior.
Ultimately, observing your dog’s overall health and behavior is crucial. If licking is mild and manageable, environmental changes may resolve it. If it persists or worsens, professional guidance is best.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Contact your veterinarian if your dog’s excessive bed licking is paired with concerning symptoms.
These include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, coughing, lethargy, or sudden weight loss. Such signs often indicate underlying medical conditions that require prompt care.
Seek veterinary attention if the licking is compulsive and your dog cannot be redirected, as this can signal behavioral disorders or neurological problems. Dental issues also warrant immediate evaluation, since untreated oral pain can lead to serious health risks.
For senior dogs, sudden changes in behavior—including repetitive licking—may point to cognitive decline or age-related illnesses that benefit from early intervention.
If the behavior is new, sudden, or significantly worsening, scheduling a vet exam ensures peace of mind and timely treatment.
Read more: Dog Excessively Licking Floor (Should you worry?)
Key Takeaway
Excessively licking the bed can range from a harmless quirk to a sign of stress, nausea, dental disease, or even neurological changes.
By paying close attention to your dog’s environment, daily routine, and overall health, you can often uncover what’s driving the behavior.
Simple steps like keeping bedding clean, increasing exercise, and offering enrichment can help manage mild cases. But if the licking is persistent, compulsive, or accompanied by other symptoms, veterinary guidance is the best next step.
With prompt attention, you can ensure your dog stays comfortable, happy, and healthy.