strange licking habit

[witchofmiddx]

Has anyone out there had this with their dog? We have a 9 year King Chrles Cavalier and he will lick cupboards, furniture or even carpets for long periods of time. Can this be explained?

[lifeisfuckinggreat]

Our dog did this when she got old and her vet said it was a distraction from distress or pain, it reassures them. It did improve once we had some bad teeth taken out, but definitely didn't stop. It seemed a bit OCD to me.

[pimmsgalore]

friend of ours had a dog that did that, he liked the varnish on the doors etc as it gave him a high. He got addicted to it and then was uncontrollable, totally nuts running around like a lunatic.

[witchofmiddx]

Thank you lifeis, I think it could be because he can't handle there being food on the table which he knows is not for him, he finds it distrssing so he uses the licking to soothe himself.

Pimmsgalore you've cheered me up with your post, i'm still laughing!!