When visiting my friend’s home, I often noticed her Yorkie licking her, sometimes to the extent that half of her face was being covered with her Yorkie’s saliva. While I really adored this gesture of affection display, it got me thinking of other possible reasons as to Why Do Yorkies Lick So Much?
In my various researches, I came across several reasons as to Why Do Yorkies Lick So Much? And just like me, you too would be surprised to know of a few of the reasons!
So let’s find out some reasons as to Why Do Yorkies Lick So Much?
Why Do Yorkies Lick So Much? Top 13 Reasons
Listed below are 13 reasons as to Why Do Yorkies Lick So Much?
1. Your Yorkie Has Developed a Bad Habit of Licking Almost Anything
Habits are hard to form and even harder to let go of. The same applies to your little friend.
You may find it impossible to correct your newly bought Yorkie when he is licking you or the furniture, an old cassette, or a toy, just out of a habit that he has developed.
2. Your Yorkie Wants to Draw Your Attention Towards Him
Your Yorkie loves and enjoys the attention you and your family members give him. This is one of the prime reasons why he licks you all over.
Your Yorkie being a smart pet, is often aware of the fact that licking you will definitely make you notice them and thus won’t stop until they have your undivided attention.
Unable to believe what we say? Check out this adorable video of a Yorkie licking its owners face
3. Your Yorkie is Showing His Respect Towards You
Another reason why your Yorkshire terrier is constantly licking you is that he respects and holds you in high regard. This licking behavior from your Yorkie is like a sign of obedience.
4. Your Yorkie is Trying to Communicate With You
It’s true that pets cannot communicate by speaking. This doesn’t mean they cannot communicate!
Licking you might just be a way your Yorkie showering his love and affection on you.
5. Your Yorkie Is Bored, Stressed, or Anxious
Many-a-times, your pet may continuously lick you or objects around you because of mere boredom.
Other times, your Yorkie will lick things or people to relieve the built-up stress and anxiety in him. This is a clear indication that he needs some playtime, and is extremely bored doing absolutely nothing!
However, if you notice more than usual signs of licking, panting, and pacing, it is advised to visit a vet.
6. Your Yorkie Likes The Taste of Your Skin
If you see your Yorkie licking you right after a heavy workout, or after you have had your shower, then it is highly probable that your Yorkie likes the taste of your sweat, or the creams and the lotions that you might have applied.
As gross as it may sound to you, it’s widely known that many dog pets love the taste of their owner’s sweat. It indeed is appetizing to them!
7. Your Yorkie Is Just Curious and Wants to Explore Things
It is possible that your pet dog may be just curious about his own body and things around him. So, your Yorkshire terrier may also analyze the smell and texture of the thing that catches his attention.
This might be one of the possible reasons why your new Yorkie puppy constantly keeps licking onto something. This is just a way to curb his curiosity.
8. Your Yorkie is Grooming Itself
Dogs have a habit of cleaning themselves and removing dirt off their body or paws, which is normal. So, your Yorkie might just be having a self-grooming session when he licks himself.
However, if you find your Yorkie in an anxious state with obsessive licking or excessive licking behavior, it is best that you consult a veterinarian.
9. Your Yorkie Has Been Infested With Fleas
A possible reason why your Yorkie puppy is licking itself is that he might have contracted fleas. This will cause him to excessively lick and scratch his skin to relieve the itch.
One product that always stands out and does its job extremely well for flees prevention in Yorkies is Advantage II. You can check it out here.
10. Your Yorkie May Have Allergies
Your little puppy might be suffering from some rash or irritation in his mouth or belly area. Food allergies, cleaning products used at home, or grass containing fertilizers can be a few of the possible reasons.
Veterinarians and dog experts do point out the fact that dogs can have allergic reactions just like humans do.
Thus, if your little four-legged friend is constantly licking a particular area, then you should look out for any visible reactions on the skin. It is best to consult a vet.
Looking out for the best dog food for your Yorkie who is suffering from allergies? We have got you all covered here.
11. Your Yorkie Has Dental Issues
Another reason your Yorkie pet may be licking himself all over is that he might have some dental issue like tooth or gum pain, plaque, or a mouth infection.
It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene for your four-legged friend.
Check out these oral hygiene chews, which will aid you in maintaining your Yorkie’s oral health.
12. Your Yorkie is Feeling Sick and Nauseous
Your pet Yorkie might be feeling nauseous or sick. If this is the case, he is sure to lick his mouth and lips excessively.
Most of the time when Yorkies are nauseous, it causes them to hyper salivate. Due to this, Yorkies tend to constantly move their tongue around their lips.
So, if you notice your pet Yorkie excessively licking his mouth or nose, you should consult a vet without much delay.
13. Your Yorkie May Have a More Serious Health Issue
In worst cases, it may be possible that your Yorkie is suffering from a serious health issue that needs to be examined quickly by consulting a vet. Below are a few listed ones:
A. Oral Problems
Oral growth, ulcers, or lesions in your pet may cause them to generate excessive saliva thus causing excessive licking of the mouth region and air licking.
B. Hormonal Imbalances
Your Yorkie might be facing some hormonal imbalances that can lead to the production of excess steroid hormones. This can lead to Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease).
C. Problems with the gastrointestinal system
Your Yorkie might have eaten something toxic, simply due to boredom or by mistake. This can lead to stomach issues.
Your Yorkie might also suffer from diseases like pancreatitis or gastritis.
D. Skin Problems
Your Yorkie might have developed yeast infections on the skin or rashes, dry skin, allergies, dermatitis, or mites. This can lead to excessive licking in the infected area.
Why Is Your Yorkie Licking His Paws? Top 5 Reasons
If you find your Yorkie obsessively licking his little dog paws there may be some underlying cause to it. Let’s look at the possible reasons.
1. Injuries
Your Yorkie might be licking his paw because of some injury, bruise, or cut on it. For example, a shard of glass, insect bite, a pointed object like a thorn or nail might have lodged in his paw, causing him extreme pain and discomfort.
2. Allergies
Sometimes your Yorkie will lick his paw because of some food reaction which can be tackled by checking your dog’s diet.
It may also be an allergic reaction like stepping into the grass that has fertilizer in it. You can prevent this by using dog shoes.
Looking out for dog shoe options? Take a look at this adjustable dog shoe, which is extremely comfortable. My Yorkie just loves it!
3. Irritation
Your Yorkie might be experiencing some sort of itchiness, redness, or skin inflammation in the paw area which is causing him to lick it.
If you notice something like that, we advise you to consult your veterinarian.
4. Dry Skin
If you live in a cold region, your Yorkie’s paws are bound to get dry. Hence, to retain the moisture, your four-legged friend will excessively lick his paw.
You can use a natural dog lotion to combat this issue. This hydrating lotion is sure to make things better for your Yorkie.
5. Skin Infection
Your Yorkie might have some skin infection like lick granuloma or some kind of sores, bumps, or scabs on the paw. This can compel you Yorkie to lick his paw continuously.
Why Is Your Yorkie Licking His Private Parts? Top 5 Reasons
1. It’s a Normal Grooming Behavior
It’s a normal dog behavior to groom the genitals after urinating or pooping. And guess what? Your Yorkie is no different!
2. Urinary Tract Infection
Your Yorkie might have some sort of infection in the urinary or genital area. A few of the common signs include:
- Red penis
- Bacteria in the urinary bladder
- Difficulty and discomfort while urinating
- Swollen anal glands or vulva
- Discharge from penis or vulva
3. Skin Infection
If you find that your Yorkie’s private area appears reddish black, this is an indication that he is suffering from a skin infection, possibly yeast or bacterial infection.
Thus your Yorkie will lick the area due to irritation and discomfort.
4. Allergies
Allergies are quite common in Yorkies. And it can be caused due by a variety of factors like some allergic ingredient in food, or pollens.
These allergies can cause itching in your pet Yorkie’s private area, thus causing him to lick it excessively.
5. Anal Gland Impaction
Impacted glands can become swollen and emit a bad odor. If your Yorkie is suffering from this disease, he might be cleaning that area by licking it.
Why Is Your Yorkie Licking In The Air? Top 4 Reasons
Sometimes it may look like your Yorkie is aimlessly just licking in the air. But in reality, he might be trying to itch his little nose or tiny dog mouth.
Here’s an extremely cute video of a Yorkie air licking.
Below are the top 4 reasons why your Yorkie might be licking in the air.
1. Gastro-Intestinal Issues
Sometimes an upset stomach and pains may cause your puppy to engage in air licking anxiously.
Other GI issues include bowel inflammation, delayed gastric emptying, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, a foreign body, or parasitic infection.
2. Stress and Anxiety
Your Yorkie might be feeling stressed or anxious. This can be due to a drastic change in the environment, or the arrival of unexpected guests at your house.
Your pet friend might also suffer from Separation Anxiety if you do not spend some quality time with him.
Hence, your poor Yorkie might just start licking in the air, to release all of his pent-up stress and anxiety.
3. To Remove Lodged Food From Their Mouth
While it might seem a funny reason, many times Yorkies, no matter a female dog, male dog, an older dog or a small dog have food lodged in their mouth.
And the only way to remove it? They will move their tongue and lick their mouth, which might appear as though your Yorkie is licking the air.
4. Dermatological Issues
If your Yorkie is feeling uncomfortable due to a dermatological issue, like dry or red skin, or skin allergies, especially around the nose and mouth area, he is surely going to lick in the air.
This will help him get some relief from the constant irritation.
Why Is Your Yorkie Licking You All The Time?
If your Yorkie is showering you with a lot of doggie kisses and licking you all over, it is because he loves you and has a feeling of attachment towards you. This is his way of expressing his love for you!
Your baby Yorkie also likes the taste of your salty skin. This promotes the release of good endorphins (makes them feel good) which makes them lick you all the time.
Is Your Yorkie Licking Excessively? When Should You Visit A Vet?
You should consider visiting the vet when you notice some skin irritation, allergy, or compulsive licking behavior in your Yorkie.
How Can You Control Your Yorkie’s Excessive Licking Habit?
If you want to control your Yorkie’s licking behavior, it is important to first identify the cause.
If your pet Yorkie is doing it just to get your attention, or shower his love, then there is nothing to worry about. You can try to curb it at home.
Being consistent with positive reinforcements, and saying NO to your Yorkie assertively will do the trick. However, this cannot be achieved overnight. You need to maintain your calm.
Check out our complete guide on training Yorkies here.
If you are unable to spend time with your Yorkie, you should start doing it, as this can lead to anxiety in your pet friend.
However, in case he is suffering from any disease or an allergic reaction, it is best to consult a vet.
How Can You Stop Your Yorkie for Excessively Licking His Paws?
Your Yorkie could be licking his paws excessively due to low humidity levels and the cold climate. Reason? These weather conditions tend to make Yorkies’ skin dry, causing them to lick it.
It may also be due to allergies, skin infections, and irritation. It is important to check with your vet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there can be many reasons for Why Do Yorkies Lick So Much? While this article gives a holistic view of all the reasons, and possible solutions, you as a Yorkie owner need to keep a keen eye on your pet.
While some of the issues are very commonly experienced like licking for attention or showing affection or out of boredom while others may be serious health issues and hence need to be checked with your vet.
