It can be strange and even a little concerning to watch your dog obsessively lick a blanket.
While occasional licking is normal, excessive licking can point to underlying behavioral or medical issues that shouldn’t be ignored.
We outline the common reasons why your dog excessively licks a blanket, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Excessively Licking Blanket: Why It Happens
Dogs may lick blankets excessively due to stress, anxiety, boredom, nausea, or even underlying pain or neurological issues. This behavior can start as a self-soothing activity but may evolve into an obsessive habit over time.
Some dogs find the texture or scent of a blanket comforting. Others may use licking as a way to cope with an upset stomach or chronic discomfort. Identifying the cause early is key to resolving the issue and ensuring your dog’s well-being.
Why Is My Dog Licking the Carpet All of a Sudden?
Sudden carpet licking often reflects a change in the dog’s physical or emotional state. It can be caused by nausea, stress, anxiety, boredom, or compulsive behavior.
Older dogs may also develop cognitive changes or discomfort from pain, arthritis, or gastrointestinal upset, making them more prone to repetitive behaviors like carpet licking.
Sudden onset of this behavior—especially if accompanied by vomiting, drooling, or restlessness—should be assessed by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes before assuming it’s purely behavioral.
Dog Excessively Licking Blanket: Common Causes
Anxiety or Stress
Dogs often express stress or separation anxiety through repetitive behaviors—and licking is a common one.
Blanket licking can become a self-soothing mechanism, especially in dogs that feel lonely or overwhelmed.
This may occur more frequently when you’re away, during storms, or in response to loud noises or household changes.
Chronic stress-driven licking can lead to behavioral conditioning, making it harder to stop without addressing the root cause.
Read more: Dog Excessively Licks Everything (What it means)
Nausea or Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Licking non-food objects, including blankets, can be a sign of nausea or stomach upset.
When dogs feel queasy or have acid reflux, they might try to manage the sensation by licking soft surfaces.
This behavior is sometimes accompanied by lip-smacking, drooling, or grass-eating.
In some cases, nausea may be tied to dietary indiscretion, a food allergy, or a more serious gastrointestinal issue like pancreatitis or IBD.
Boredom or Lack of Mental Stimulation
A mentally under-stimulated dog may turn to blanket licking as a way to pass time.
Without enough toys, interaction, or exercise, dogs can develop repetitive behaviors like excessive grooming or blanket licking. It becomes a fallback behavior when nothing else is engaging.
Over time, this can become compulsive, similar to a human biting their nails or pacing.
Compulsive Licking Disorder
Some dogs develop compulsive disorders that mirror human OCD.
This may manifest as constant licking of objects, themselves, or people—even when there’s no clear trigger.
Blanket licking in this case may appear random or intense and may continue despite distractions or scolding.
Compulsive disorders usually require behavioral modification and sometimes medication prescribed by a vet or veterinary behaviorist.
Residual Scent or Taste
Dogs have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, and if a blanket smells like food, another pet, or even their owner, they may be drawn to lick it.
In some cases, licking may begin with curiosity but then become habitual.
If the blanket hasn’t been washed in a while or has food remnants, this may reinforce the licking behavior.
While this is generally harmless at first, the behavior can become obsessive if not redirected.
Dental or Oral Discomfort
Pain in your dog’s mouth, gums, or teeth can cause odd behaviors, including licking soft items.
A dog experiencing dental pain might avoid chewing food and instead seek out comfort through licking.
This can include objects like blankets, pillows, or even their own paws.
Check for signs like bad breath, difficulty eating, pawing at the mouth, or visible tartar buildup.
Why Is My Dog Licking the Carpet Then Vomiting?
When a dog licks the carpet and then vomits, it usually indicates nausea or an upset stomach.
Dogs may lick surfaces to ingest small amounts of dust, debris, or residue, which can trigger vomiting or help relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
This behavior can also be linked to ingestion of something toxic, hairballs, or dietary indiscretion.
In older dogs, it may signal underlying organ disease, pancreatitis, or digestive issues. If vomiting is frequent, contains blood or bile, or is paired with lethargy or diarrhea, prompt veterinary evaluation is essential.
Dog Licking Carpet and Gagging: What It Means
A dog licking the carpet and gagging is often a sign of nausea, stomach irritation, or ingestion of a foreign object or toxin.
Gagging is a warning that the dog’s body is reacting to something harmful or uncomfortable in the digestive tract.
In older dogs, this combination may also indicate organ disease, gastrointestinal upset, or medication side effects, and it requires prompt veterinary assessment to prevent complications like dehydration or aspiration.
Dog Excessively Licking Carpet and Shaking
A dog licking the carpet excessively while shaking, may indicate nausea, pain, anxiety, or neurological issues.
Shaking alongside compulsive licking can be a sign that the dog is experiencing discomfort or stress that manifests physically.
Older dogs may also develop cognitive dysfunction or age-related nervous system changes that lead to repetitive behaviors, and combined with shaking, this behavior warrants veterinary attention to rule out underlying medical problems.
Dog Excessively Licking Carpet at Night
Excessive carpet licking at night is often linked to boredom, anxiety, or gastrointestinal discomfort, as dogs may become restless when the household is quiet.
Nighttime licking may also be more noticeable in older dogs with pain, cognitive changes, or compulsive tendencies, and repeated nighttime episodes can disrupt sleep and indicate that the dog is struggling with an underlying physical or emotional issue.
Dog Licking Carpet and Eating Grass
When a dog licks the carpet and eats grass, it often signals digestive discomfort or nausea, as both behaviors can be attempts to soothe an upset stomach.
Dogs sometimes instinctively eat grass to induce vomiting or help move something irritating through the digestive tract.
Carpet licking can serve a similar self-soothing function, especially if the dog is anxious, bored, or stressed.
In older dogs, these behaviors may also point to underlying gastrointestinal issues, organ disease, or cognitive changes.
While occasional grass eating or mild carpet licking may not be serious, persistent or excessive behavior—especially if accompanied by gagging, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy—should be evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out medical problems.
Old Dog Excessively Licking Carpet
In senior dogs, persistent carpet licking can be caused by dental pain, nausea, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors.
Age-related changes such as decreased digestion efficiency, joint pain, or cognitive decline may trigger repetitive behaviors like carpet licking.
Continuous licking can lead to skin irritation, hair loss, and sores, making veterinary evaluation important to address both the behavior and any medical contributors.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Excessively Licking Blankets
Start by observing when the licking happens. Does it occur when your dog is alone? After eating? Only at bedtime?
If anxiety is the trigger, try offering calming alternatives like puzzle toys, long walks, or calming treats.
Creating a safe space with their favorite items and background music may also reduce stress.
If you suspect gastrointestinal discomfort, consider switching to a sensitive stomach diet or scheduling a vet check to rule out medical issues.
You can also try removing or washing the blanket regularly to eliminate scents or residues. Offer distraction toys—especially ones that are safe to lick or chew, like frozen Kongs.
Consistency and redirection are key. Reinforce calm behavior and redirect your dog when you notice them beginning to lick.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Excessive blanket licking may seem benign, but it can signal deeper issues that need veterinary attention.
Call your vet if:
Your dog licks obsessively and can’t be distracted.
Licking is paired with vomiting, drooling, or decreased appetite.
Your dog shows signs of anxiety, like pacing, panting, or destructive behavior.
You notice dental symptoms like bleeding gums or bad breath.
The behavior started suddenly and is getting worse.
Your vet may recommend diagnostics such as bloodwork, GI imaging, or a behavioral consultation depending on the suspected cause.
Read more: Dog Excessively Licking Lips and Swallowing (Here’s why)
Key Takeaway
Excessive blanket licking in dogs is more than just a quirky habit—it can be a clue to underlying emotional or physical distress.
By understanding the triggers and watching for other signs, you can take proactive steps to support your dog’s health and comfort.
If the behavior persists or worsens, reach out to your veterinarian to uncover the cause and create a plan to help your dog feel better and break the cycle.