If your dog has been licking concrete, this post will show you likely reason why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my dog lick concrete? Likely reasons why your dog licks concrete are that they have diet issues, Pica, your dog likes the taste, boredom, anxiety, there is food there or that it is a compulsive behavior.
There are a number of possible reasons why your dog has been doing it and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my dog lick concrete?
Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.
Diet issues or Pica
The cause could be that your dog has a nutritional deficiency and your dog has been trying to make up for it by eating or licking on things that they should not be. This would be more likely if your dog has not only been licking concrete but has also been eating things that they should not be.
It would also be more likely if your dog has been showing signs of illness such as weakness or vomiting a lot. In this case, the best option would be to take them to the vet for a checkup.
Your dog likes the taste
It might also simply be the case that your dog likes the taste of concrete. This would be more likely if your dog has not been behaving unusually in other ways and if your dog does it at random times.
Boredom
It might also be the case that your dog is bored and looking for ways to stimulate themselves. This would be more likely if your dog does it more before having gotten exercise.
Anxiety
Anxiety could be what has been causing it to do it. This would be more likely if it has started doing it after something happened that could make it anxious or if it does it more at a time where it is likely to be anxious. Examples could be if it does it more when a certain person is around, when you are about to leave home or when there are loud noises coming from outside.
Compulsive behavior
The reason might be that it is due to an obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is where it has an irresistible urge to lick concrete so it keeps doing it. This would be more likely if it has been licking concrete constantly for a few weeks now. In this case, the best option would be to get help from a vet.
There is food there
It might also be the case that your dog has been doing it because food was dropped there. This would be more likely if your dog has been licking a certain area of concrete where people were recently eating or doing a barbecue.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
What else happened when your dog first started doing it
If your dog did not always lick concrete, it would help to consider what else happened when your dog first started doing it.
If it started doing it suddenly, it would make it more likely to be due to being anxious, ill, a diet issue or food being stuck to the concrete. It would help to consider what else happened at around the same time that it started to lick the concrete.
If your dog licks concrete at a certain time
If your dog also does it at a certain time, it would also help to consider the timing. If it does it more at a certain time it would be more likely to be due to things such as being anxious, hungry or bored due to not getting exercise.
How often your dog does it
It would also help to consider how often your dog does it. If it has been licking the concrete constantly then it would be more likely to be compulsive behavior and something you’ll want to get help on from a vet or dog behaviorist.
If it does it less often, it would help to consider what is different when it does do it.
How to get my dog to stop licking concrete?
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
Take your dog to a vet
If your dog has been licking concrete a lot, it would likely help to take your dog for a checkup with the vet. By doing so, you should be able to rule out medical causes and to get expert advice tailored towards your particular dog.
Ensure your dog is getting the right diet
As mentioned above, it could be the case that there is an issue with its diet that has been causing it to do it. You can look here to see what you should and should not be feeding your dog. It would also likely help to consult with your local vet on its diet.
Give your dog other things to lick
In addition to the above, you could also give it things to be distracted with so that it is less likely to want to lick concrete. Things that you could give it could be toys, puzzle games or bones.
Ensure your dog has access to water
It would also help to ensure that it has access to water throughout the day since it could be the case that it has been licking concrete due to being thirsty.