Why Does My Maltipoo Lick So Much? 12 Likely Reasons
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Maltipoos are cute little bundles of fur that love spending time with their owners and showering them with affection. A hybrid breed created by combining the intelligence of the Poodle and the stubbornness of the Maltese, Maltipoos are regarded as being smart members of the family that do well with children and the elderly alike. Another thing Maltipoos are known for is their tendency to enjoy licking.
Whether it’s licking you, themselves, other animals, objects, or even your floors, seeing a Maltipoo dealing with excessive licking can be worrisome. This licking can be chalked up to instinctual, behavioral, or medical reasons, but it’s difficult to determine exactly which is the culprit on each occasion. Here’s a look at 12 reasons your Maltipoo may lick so much. Hopefully, this will help you determine the reason behind your best pal’s issues.
The 12 Possible Reasons Why Your Maltipoo Licks So Much
Instinctual Reasons
1. Affection
If your Maltipoo likes to lick people or other animals, most likely they are showing affection. Maltipoos are known for being able to pick up on their owner’s emotional cues. If you’re feeling down, they may want to cheer you up with some love. The same can be said for other animals in the house. If your Maltipoo licks the cat often, they are most likely showing love to their best feline pal.
2. Getting Your Attention
If you’re the target of your Maltipoo’s licking, they could be trying to get your attention. Perhaps they want a little affection, the food bowl is empty, or they need to go outside. Either way, licking is often a form of communication that is less annoying than barking.
3. Habit or Liking the Taste
Unfortunately, Maltipoos can pick up bad habits. Licking can be one of these. Licking their paws, you, or the walls could simply be something your puppy is doing without realizing it. They may also like the taste of what they are licking. If the action is becoming bothersome, try redirecting them when they are licking as a way to break the habit.
4. Hunger
In the wild, mother dogs or wolves bring food back to the pups. Often, when she arrives, the pups lick her lips as a way of telling her they are ready for their food. If your Maltipoo licks your face, this could be why. Instead of licking you, however, they could lick the food bowl or the floor around it to indicate they are ready for their meal.
Behavioral Reasons
5. Anxiety
Whether you realize it or not, your Maltipoo can deal with anxiety just like the rest of us. It’s also possible that when anxiety hits, your pupper is using licking as a way to deal with it. Licking releases hormones in pups that can help them relax. They may lick themselves, furniture, you, or even the floor when feeling nervous. To determine whether this is the underlying issue, try to pay attention to what’s happening when the licking starts. Perhaps they can sense you’re leaving for the day. In that case, it could be separation anxiety.
6. Boredom
Unfortunately, our lives get hectic. Often when this happens, we don’t show our dogs enough attention. When a Maltipoo isn’t getting enough exercise or mental stimulation, they will get bored. Instead of chewing on furniture, one way they deal with boredom is licking. If your pooch is licking you, they are trying to get you to engage with them. Try tossing the toy or taking them for a walk. You may notice the licking subsides at this point.
Medical Reasons
7. Allergies
One of the main medical reasons why Maltipoos may lick themselves is skin allergies. Airborne and food allergies can make a dog itch and lick themselves. Most often, the licking is of their paws. Flea saliva, dust mites, and different pollens can make your dog’s allergies flare up. If you feel your dog is suffering from allergies, reaching out to a veterinarian is the best way to find the right treatment and offer them some relief.
9. Infections
There are a wide array of infections your Maltipoo can suffer from that will cause them to lick and bite their skin. Parasites, ringworm, yeast, and bacteria can make your pooch itch. If you notice your Maltipoo licking a lot, and acting as if they feel under the weather, reach out for assistance.
9. Skin Conditions
Other skin conditions, such as hot spots and different types of dermatitis, can lead your dog to lick their skin to ease the pain and itching. When your Maltipoo is suffering from these types of ailments, you’ll normally see them. Red, irritated, scabby, or dry skin is often an indicator. You may find over-the-counter treatments to help remedy the itching and pain. However, it’s always best to visit the vet to learn whether there is an underlying cause for the condition.
10. Pain
When a dog is in pain in a certain body part, it’s natural for them to lick themselves. Maltipoos with arthritis or injuries may lick often in hopes of remedying the pain they are experiencing.
11. Digestive Issues
While allergies are the most common medical reason a dog may lick excessively, gastrointestinal issues and discomfort aren’t far behind. A study conducted showed that up to 60% of dogs suffering from excessive licking issues were dealing with gastrointestinal issues. Often, this stomach upset causes dogs to lick random objects like floors or simply lick the air. At other times, they will lick their tummies where the pain resides.
12. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Unfortunately, Maltipoos and other dog breeds can develop obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD. In dogs, this can present itself as excessive licking. The dog may lick itself, you, or other items for extended periods. Redirection may help, but often, a veterinarian is needed to help guide you through helping your pooch.
Helping Your Maltipoo
If your Maltipoo is a licker, then you know how frustrating it can be to witness. This is especially true when they are licking themselves or you. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate this issue and teach your Maltipoo not to lick so much.
- Redirect the licking by giving your pooch something else to focus on. Play fetch or other games to distract them.
- Reward your Malti when they listen and stop licking on command.
- If your Malti is licking for attention, ignoring them is a great way to break the habit. Look away when they do this and only give attention when the licking has stopped.
- If allergies are the culprit, collaborate closely with your vet to improve your dog’s condition..
- Use preventative care to avoid issues with fleas and other parasites, which can cause itchiness and licking.
- Introduce interactive toys to fight boredom and anxiety when you need to be away from your Maltipoo.
- Offer more exercise and activity to fight boredom, anxiousness, and often OCD tendencies.
- Visit your veterinarian for a checkup if the licking persists and you think it could be linked to a medical issue.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are many reasons your Maltipoo may be licking a lot. Many of these reasons are simple and can be trained or redirected out of their lives. Others may require a trip to the veterinarian for assistance. The key is to pay close attention to your Maltipoo so you can learn the reasons behind this behavior. Once that’s established, you can take the steps to stop it or get them treatment if needed.
Featured Image Credit: Olena Yakobchuk, Shutterstock
