Excessive Licking Could be a problem.

Is your pet guilty of excessive licking of furniture and upholstery? If so, there are two possible solutions.

Pet health care professional Dr Heather Oxford, writing for the Los Angeles Times, asserted that the tongue-tastic issue could be due an irritation or infection in the upper intestinal cavity, mouth or oesophagus. A vet can determine whether or not this is the cause but - if it can be successfully treated - it is possible that the problem can be nipped in the bud.

However, the licking could be a ploy for attention, something which Dr Oxford suggested can be ascertained through some detective work.

Setting up a camera to observe the pooch while you are not in the house to see if the licking continues may serve as proof as to whether or not this is the root of issue.

Should this be the case, Dr Oxford recommended asking the vet for advice or behavioural therapies.

Dr Pete Wedderburn, writing for the Telegraph, recently noted that howling and barking throughout a TV show can be a mutt's way of garnering attention.

Animal Friends are a specialist pet insurance company providing dog insurance and cat insurance to British pet owners since 1999 and we now offer horse insurance too.