10 Shocking Reasons Why Do Dogs Lick Bed Sheets

Why Do Dogs Lick Bed Sheets?
Dogs tend to lick bed sheets because of several reasons. It can be due to compulsive behavior, stress, anxiety, boredom, and underlying diseases. Sometimes, dogs also start liking the taste of the bed sheet cloth, which leads them to lick the bed sheet.

Sometimes even the cutest pets annoy their owners with their weird behaviors and habits. And biting and licking bed sheets is one of the annoying behaviors exhibited by most dogs.

First-time pet parents find it hard to see why their lovable canine is licking the beds out of a sudden. But they cannot find the real reason behind this bad behavior of their pets.

Many possible reasons triggers this bad licking behavior in dogs, and this article will help you find out how to stop your dog from licking your bed sheets.

So, let’s quickly find out why do dogs lick bed sheets.

Why Do Dogs Lick Bed Sheets?

Many dogs exhibit this weird behavior of biting and licking bed sheets. Some of them even scratch it and destroy the clothing. Many reasons lead to bed sheet licking in dogs, which can be due to compulsive behavior or stress.

As an intelligent dog owner, you should know the real causes and signs that are causing your dog to lick the bed sheets. This will help in aiding the best solutions to this annoying problem.

10 Shocking Reasons Why Do Dogs Lick Bed Sheets

Licking comes naturally to dogs. Whether a puppy, adult, or senior canine, almost every dog frequently licks beds. But have you ever wondered why they do this?

According to the experts, there are several reasons associated with compulsive licking in dogs. Below are the 10 common reasons that lead to dog licking the bed sheets:

1. Dogs Like The Smell and Taste of Bed Sheets

The #1 reason your dog is licking the bed sheet is that they like the taste and smell of the cloth. Sometimes, the sweaty and oily bed sheet may look like a sweet-smelling cloth to them.

It generally happens in summer, when the sweat builds on the bed sheet due to humidity and heat. Hence, it’s important to wash your bed sheets or change them regularly to keep them clean and fresh.

2. Beds Sheets Have The Human Traces

Dogs are one of those creatures who have the most potent sniffing and smelling senses. And, when you sleep on your bed, you leave the smell and traces of your body on the bed sheet. And that is what leads them to lick your bed sheets.

They feel like they’re feeling your body while licking the bed, which is something you should not be worried about.

3. Bed Sheets Have Left Over Food

Another reason your dog is licking bed sheets is that there might be leftover food on the bed. Dogs love to lick everything as they always seem hungry. So, if you have a habit of eating food on your bed, there are good chances that you might drop chunks and crumbs of food on your bed.

Hence, your doggie constantly licks the bed to find that leftover food. Again, you can avoid this by cleaning your bed sheets regularly.

4. Your Dog Feels Bored

Do you know how dogs kill their boredom? Either they sleep like lazy creatures or lick furniture and other home parts. Dogs can also lick bed sheets to kill their boredom.

To avoid your dog’s unusual behavior, you can help by setting a good and healthy routine for them. This includes regular walks, exercise, healthy eating, and proper sleep. This way, they won’t feel bored too often and stop licking the clothing parts.

5. Your Dog Is Relieving Stress

Dogs often go through a lot of stress and anxiety. And to get over that stressful phase, they do weird stuff. You might see them barking over nothing, chasing their tails, jumping unwantedly, and showcasing other behavioral actions.

To get rid of anxiety and stress, dogs may also start licking bed sheets. They might pee or poop on your bed when going through intense anxiety.

6. Your Dog Sleep On Your Bed

If you have a habit of sleeping along with your dog on the same bed, then licking comes naturally to them. Dogs enjoy that cozy and comfortable bed sheets, so they start licking them to get that gentle feel.

To avoid this, you can either let them sleep on their own personal bed or train them not to damage the bed sheet.

7. Your Dog Drools A Lot

Drooling and Dribbling is common in dogs, and that sticky saliva also looks awful to many dog owners. Excess drooling can be because of their salivary glands, liver diseases, or kidney problems.

Some dogs also try to lick their own saliva. So, if your dog is drooling on the bed sheet, they might lick it to clean the saliva. You can take your dog to the veterinarian to inspect excessive drooling conditions.

8. Your Dog Is Seeking Attention

Dogs do a lot of things to seek the attention of their owners. It can be excessive barking, making howling and whining noises, crying, or even licking. Dogs often lick bed sheets to seek attention from their owners.

This can be because they feel hungry, want to play with you, or simply want to sleep along with you on the bed. Chewable dog toys are a great way to help dogs divert their attention.

9. Allergies Lead To Excessive Licking

If your dog is struggling with any kind of allergies, they will lick a lot. They lick their different body parts to get rid of itch and irritation. And if they’re lying on the bed, they will eventually lick the bed sheet due to those aggravating allergy itches.

Infections and allergies are common in dogs. They might catch them via dog parks, due to wounds, or eating something weird. It’s essential to visit your veterinarian if your dog shows signs of allergies.

10. Your Dog Shows Destructive Behavior

Few dogs tend to show destructive behavior on a timely basis. As a result, they start biting and licking home furniture, including beds, tables, wood items, etc. This makes them aggressive and sometimes out of control.

If your dog also shows destructive behavior, you might see them licking and biting the bed sheet. In this scenario, you should train them properly to get rid of their bad behavior.

How To Stop Dogs From Licking Bed Sheets?

The first step to stopping your canine from licking bed sheets is to find out the real reason behind their licking behavior. Start observing their daily habits and behavior, and you’ll get a rough idea of what’s going on with them.

If you’re able to find out that your dog is doing this because of anxiety or loneliness, you can easily fix this problem. Set up a healthy routine for your dog like exercising, jogging, training, etc. This will make your dog active and improve their compulsive behavior.

If your dog is struggling with any minor or significant disease leading him to lick your bed sheets, it’s advisable to visit your veterinarian for a proper checkup of your dog’s body.

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Final Words

Dogs lick everything. So, if your four-legged companion is licking your bed sheets, it’s common behavior for them. The real thing is how you deal with this kind of behavior of your dog. Punishing them is simply not an option to deal with this scenario.

First, I would suggest you identify the real cause and the root problem. Then work on how to fix that problem by properly setting up a good routine for your dog. Try to make changes like avoiding eating on your bed or setting up a dog bed for your canine.

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