Dog Overgrooming in Dubai: Signs, Causes & Treatment

What to do if your dog is overgrooming

Self-grooming helps dogs maintain cleanliness, but excessive behaviour lasting longer than five minutes at a time, multiple times daily, suggests a problem requiring attention.

If you suspect overgrooming in your dog:

• Monitor for additional symptoms such as reduced appetite, lethargy, and digestive issues.
• Check affected areas for redness, sores, hair loss, or unusual odours.
• Check other pets in your household for similar issues. This may suggest infectious/parasite causes.
• Note when the behaviour occurs most frequently.
• Keep a brief diary of grooming episodes to help you and your vet identify patterns.

In Dubai, a combination of heat stress and indoor confinement often intensifies grooming behaviours, whilst dust and allergens can irritate already sensitive areas. Seek prompt veterinary advice if concerned.

Common causes of overgrooming in dogs

Understanding the root cause helps guide effective treatment.

Medical causes:

• Parasites: Fleas, mites and other parasites thrive in humid conditions and can be brought indoors on shoes or clothing
• Allergies: Environmental allergens, including dust, pollen and household chemicals, are common triggers in urban Dubai
• Foreign objects: Sand, grass seeds or debris from outdoor walks can become lodged between toes
• Nausea: Overgrooming may present alongside drooling or lip-smacking behaviours
• Pain: Acute issues, such as wounds or nail problems or chronic conditions, such as arthritis (exacerbated by temperature changes)
• Skin irritation: Caused by frequent transitions between air conditioning and outdoor heat

Behavioural causes:

• Stress and anxiety: Moving homes, construction noise, fireworks during celebrations, visitors or changes in family routine
• Boredom: Limited outdoor exercise due to extreme temperatures and inadequate mental stimulation
• Seasonal factors: Reduced activity during hot summer months

When to worry about overgrooming in dogs

Seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog:

• Is continuously licking or biting, creating bald patches or widespread skin sores
• Has other illness symptoms: such as vomiting, diarrhoea or loss of appetite
• Is unexpectedly losing weight
• Develops signs of infection: foul odours, discharge, pain or fever

Tips on preventing overgrooming

Medical prevention:

• Schedule annual veterinary check-ups, ideally before outdoor activity reduces in the summer months
• Keep up-to-date with vaccinations, as recommended by Dubai Municipality veterinary guidelines
• Use veterinary-approved parasite prevention suitable for the UAE climate and risks
• Provide balanced nutrition and maintain healthy body weight. Obesity worsens heat intolerance
• Avoid sudden dietary changes and restrict access to inappropriate foods
• Trim nails regularly, as reduced outdoor activity on concrete surfaces means less natural wear
• Inspect paws and skin after walks, removing sand and debris
• Consider protective paw balm during hot weather

Behavioural prevention:

• Establish consistent daily routines for feeding and exercise, adapting to cooler morning and evening temperatures
• Provide adequate mental stimulation when it’s too hot to go outside: puzzle toys, training sessions and indoor activities
• Ensure your dog’s well-being by providing constant access to fresh, cool water, a quiet, shaded resting area, and air-conditioned comfort during periods of extreme heat.
• Ensure resources remain easily accessible. This is particularly important for elderly dogs struggling with mobility in the heat

How to tell if your dog is overgrooming

Recognising overgrooming can be tricky, as dogs often do it at night or when alone. Watch for these signs:

• Saliva stains on fur: appear pink, red, brown, or orange and are especially visible on light coats
• Broken hairs, bald patches or thinning on paws and legs
• Red, irritated skin, open sores or interdigital cysts between toes
• Restlessness, grooming interfering with play or meals, and vocalising while licking
• Presence of raised, thickened skin patches or lick granulomas, usually on the front legs

Dubai’s dusty, dry climate can make saliva stains darker and skin irritation more visible. Persistent overgrooming and lick granulomas need prompt veterinary and behavioural care.

How to help at home

Initial home management focuses on preventing further damage, whilst addressing underlying causes.

Immediate steps:

• Schedule a veterinary consultation to rule out medical causes
• Use protective cone collars or medical suits to prevent continued self-trauma
• Ensure all household pets receive appropriate parasite prevention
• Implement natural calming methods, such as pheromone diffusers or calming supplements
• Follow the preventive measures outlined above
• Maintain comfortable indoor temperatures to reduce heat stress
• Provide increased mental stimulation during periods of limited outdoor activity

Treatment for overgrooming

Veterinary treatment varies depending on the underlying cause.

Diagnostic procedures may involve:

• Blood and urine analysis: checking general health and organ function
• Skin tests, including scrapes, hair samples, and biopsies
• Elimination diet trials for food allergies
• Environmental allergy testing: relevant to Dubai’s specific allergens

Common treatments include:

• Parasite control medications
• Pain management therapy
• Antibiotics for secondary skin infections
• Anti-inflammatory medications for allergic reactions
• Prescription anxiety medications when behavioural causes are confirmed

Following medical evaluation, your veterinarian may recommend consultation with qualified animal behaviour specialists to develop individualised management plans.

Finding behaviour specialists:

When seeking professional behavioural support for your dog, it’s important to verify qualifications through recognised bodies, even if they aren’t based locally. If you’re looking for expert help with your pet’s behaviour, several professional organisations set high standards for training and behaviour work:

• Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC)
• Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists (CCAB)
• Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FAB)
• Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC)
• International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

Several reputable trainers and behaviourists in Dubai hold these international certifications or affiliations. Your veterinarian can also provide referrals to appropriately qualified specialists working in the UAE.

Dogs at more risk of overgrooming?

• Any dog can develop overgrooming, regardless of age or breed.
• Certain breeds are more susceptible due to allergies or stress including Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Shih Tzus.
• In Dubai, thick-coated dogs may overgroom from heat discomfort.
• Breeds prone to anxiety may react more to lifestyle changes caused by extreme weather.

Is your dog licking, chewing, or grooming nonstop? Don’t wait, book a checkup today at Modern Vet Hospital in Dubai. Overgrooming can signal allergies, skin disease, or stress, and early treatment prevents the problem from getting worse. Our skilled team offers fast diagnosis, effective treatment, and ongoing support to keep your dog comfortable and healthy. Modern Vet Hospital is your go-to clinic in Dubai for urgent, expert pet care.