Why shih tzu lick

Chemical additives, preservatives and colorings added to food can all be triggers, so only give your shih tzu additive-free, hypoallergenic food made with quality ingredients. If you try this and the allergy still persists, then it may be that a protein is causing the reaction. For example, try a lamb free diet for a spell. If it proves not to be that, re-introduce the lamb and remove another protein, say, beef.

Keep on experimenting until you discover the culprit. It may even prove to be the chicken. When grooming your shih tzu, only use hypoallergenic, pet-specific, shampoos, conditioners and sprays. If the areas of irritation have developed a fungal infection use products that also have antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Treat the sensitive areas that your dog is licking with medicated lotions and sprays that contain hydrocortisone to relieve itching and other ingredients such as aloe vera, tea tree oil or chamomile to treat the dry skin. It can be difficult to prevent your shih tzu from licking off any topical treatment that you have administered and you may need to use an Elizabethan collar to do so.

To prevent the paws from being licked you can try putting on dog socks immediately after applying the treatment. Choose a good quality set of socks that are difficult for your shih tzu to remove by himself and that have grips on the soles to prevent him from slipping.

Around the house, if you have air conditioning ensure that you have a HEPA filter fitted. Vacuum the floor regularly with a pet-friendly vacuum that also has a HEPA filter fitted. Every time you enter the home with your dog, rub him down with hypoallergenic wipes, making sure that you also clean his paws well. It starts as a small sore that spreads out as the shih tzu licks more and more. As the sore spreads, the skin is subject to break in places. Where the skin is broken it is subject to bacterial infection.

This infection, in turn, can spread to the skin follicles and cause thinning of the hair and bald patches. If the skin is broken and there is bleeding or pus, then there is almost certainly a bacterial infection that needs to be treated by a vet.

The vet may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and, in the case of large skin breaks, recommend surgery.

The shih tzu breed, with its double coat of hair instead of fur, is prone to suffering from dry skin. The itching sensation caused by the dry skin results in the shih tzu licking the affected area.

The licking action washes away any essential skin oils that remain, making the dry skin condition even worse. Dry skin can be caused by weather conditions, such as the cold, dry winds of winter or too much exposure to the sun in summer. Both scenarios result in essential hair and skin oils being flushed away. Finally, if the shih tzu rolls around a lot on dry, abrasive surfaces, this can also develop dry skin.

You can also have the dog engage in other behaviors such as ball play or trick training. Trick training , in particular, is a good way to turn a repeated undesirable behavior into an opportunity for positive reinforcement. Start by simply having the dog sit, which might stop the licking on its own, then reward the behavior with a treat. Or to speak on cue?

Other tricks to practice could include sitting up, army crawling, or leg weaving. If you and your dog find you really enjoy trick training, you could even look into Trick Dog trials.

Whether or not you dive into trick training, always make sure that your affectionate dog gets plenty of attention and exercise. Excess unused energy can lead to over-licking as well as other more destructive behaviors. Need some help training your dog? This live telephone service connects you with a professional trainer who will offer unlimited, individualized advice on everything from behavioral issues to CGC prep to getting started in dog sports.

Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side. Yet another behavioral reason for excessive licking that is well documented is licking due to anxiety. Dogs that feel anxious may resort to self-licking as a type of self-soothing behavior. Unfortunately, this type of licking can often become a veterinary issue since the areas being licked can become dry or sore, and infected.

In addition to self-soothing behavioral licking that becomes a medical problem when the area gets irritated or infected, there are other medical reasons why your Shih Tzu might lick too much. One common reason for veterinary-related licking in Shih Tzus is infection. Here, the most commonly affected area is the paws. Dog paws can be havens for yeast and bacteria growth. This causes itching and infection. Dogs that lick their paws a lot may be suffering from a yeast overgrowth or bacterial infection in the paw pads.

Part of the problem is that these dogs have a long showy coat that can hide the early warning signs of skin infection or parasite infestation. Licking excessively is one thing you can watch for to indicate your dog may be uncomfortable or need medical care. Search for:. My Shih Tzu dog constantly licks his paws!

Dear Dr. Baum — My Shih Tzu dog constantly licks his paws! What should I do?