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Why is my dog constantly licking carpets and walls? How to stop it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Plott | Male | neutered | 3 years and 11 months old | 60 lbs

My dog keeps licking the carpets and walls and won’t stop and i don’t know why and i can’t get him to stop

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 4th, 2018

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Sometimes this type of behavior can be linked to anxiety or a systemic disease. If Memphis has no other clinical signs and is eating / drinking normal amounts, I would recommend trying to correct the behavior using anxiety relieving products such as Adaptil collar and diffuser as well as NaturVet Quiet Moments Calm Chews with Melatonin. If these do not help, I would recommend having him examined by a veterinarian and have his blood tested to check for any abnormal changes. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 11th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It could just be a compulsive behavior that is just behavioral and not medical since he doesn't lick himself or the carpet. As long as you can tell him to stop and he responds it is likely just normal for him. I hope this helps!

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