What Happens When You Don't Drink Enough Water? 10 Hidden Effects on Your Body

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  1. What happens to your blood when you become dehydrated? Blood contains: Red blood cells. White blood cells. Platelets. Plasma, which is mostly water. Proteins, electrolytes, nutrients and other substances. When the body loses too much water, plasma volume can decrease. This can cause hemoconcentration, meaning some substances in the blood appear more concentrated. Possible effects include: Increased blood viscosity under some circumstances. Reduced circulating blood volume. Increased strain on the cardiovascular system. Reduced blood flow to organs in severe dehydration. This is different from having excessive cholesterol or fatty deposits in arteries. NCBI+2 2. Does dehydration increase cholesterol readings? This is where our article can become particularly interesting. A small human study involving 15 healthy participants found that fasting without fluid replacement produced higher measured total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol than fasting with water and sal...
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Why Does My Dog Lick Everything?

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Have you noticed your dog licking the floor, furniture, blankets, or even the walls? A little licking is perfectly normal for dogs. But when your dog seems to lick everything and does it repeatedly, you may start wondering why.

Dogs use their mouths to explore the world, so licking can have many different explanations. Sometimes it is simply a habit or a way of investigating something interesting. Other times, excessive licking may be connected to boredom, anxiety, discomfort, or an underlying health problem.

Let's look at some common reasons.

1. Your Dog Is Exploring

Dogs experience the world largely through their noses and mouths.

A floor may have traces of food, interesting smells, or other substances that your dog finds worth investigating. Licking can simply be part of exploring.

If your dog occasionally licks something and then moves on, there may be nothing unusual about it.

2. Your Dog Likes the Taste

Dogs can discover tiny traces of food that humans don't notice.

A kitchen floor, table leg, or even your hands may carry interesting smells or tastes. If your dog finds something rewarding, it may return to the same spot repeatedly.

This is especially common after meals or when food has accidentally fallen onto the floor.

3. Boredom Can Lead to Repetitive Licking

Dogs need both physical exercise and mental stimulation.

When a dog doesn't have enough to do, it may develop repetitive behaviours such as licking floors, furniture, blankets, or other objects.

Regular walks, playtime, training exercises, and safe enrichment activities can help provide a more interesting daily routine.

4. Anxiety or Stress

Some dogs lick objects when they feel nervous or stressed.

You may notice the behaviour during situations such as:

  • Being left alone
  • Loud noises
  • Changes at home
  • Meeting unfamiliar people
  • Changes in routine

Pay attention to when the licking happens. If it appears mainly during stressful situations, anxiety may be contributing to the behaviour.

5. Your Dog May Be Licking Its Paws

Paw licking is fairly common, but frequent or intense licking deserves attention.

A dog may lick its paws because of dirt, irritation, a minor injury, or something uncomfortable between the toes.

Check the paws gently for anything unusual, such as redness, swelling, cuts, or something stuck between the toes.

If your dog keeps licking despite your efforts to identify the cause, a veterinarian can help determine what is happening.

6. Stomach or Digestive Discomfort

Some dogs that repeatedly lick floors or other surfaces may also show signs of digestive discomfort.

You might notice additional symptoms such as:

  • Drooling
  • Reduced appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Restlessness
  • Repeated swallowing

If excessive licking occurs together with these signs, don't assume it is simply a behavioural habit. It is worth discussing with your veterinarian.

7. It Could Become a Habit

Sometimes a behaviour starts for one reason and eventually becomes a habit.

For example, your dog may initially lick the floor because it smells like food. After doing it repeatedly, the behaviour itself can become part of the dog's routine.

This is one reason it is useful to notice how often your dog licks, what it licks, and when the behaviour occurs.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Occasional licking is usually not a reason for alarm.

However, pay closer attention if your dog:

  • Suddenly starts licking everything excessively
  • Cannot seem to stop
  • Licks one particular area repeatedly
  • Is licking its paws constantly
  • Shows vomiting or diarrhea
  • Has a reduced appetite
  • Seems restless or uncomfortable
  • Shows other unusual changes in behaviour

A sudden change is particularly worth noting because it may indicate that something has changed physically or environmentally.

What Can You Do?

Start by observing your dog rather than immediately trying to stop the licking.

Ask yourself:

What is my dog licking?

When does it happen?

How long does it continue?

What happens immediately before it starts?

Also make sure your dog has regular exercise, play, training, and mental stimulation.

And keep household floors and surfaces free from substances that could be harmful if swallowed.

If the behaviour is persistent, excessive, or accompanied by other symptoms, speak with a veterinarian.

Final Thoughts

Dogs lick things for many reasons. Sometimes they are simply exploring or enjoying an interesting smell or taste. At other times, repetitive licking may be associated with boredom, stress, discomfort, or another problem.

The key is to look at the whole picture, rather than focusing on the licking alone.

A little licking is part of being a dog. But a sudden or persistent change in behaviour deserves a closer look.

Want more practical dog-care tips? Explore more helpful articles here at Helpful Digital Picks. 🐕

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