My golden retriever has this same exact syndrome. The first time this happened she ate toys, stuffing, socks, and plastic off the floor and got quite sick. Now, as soon as she starts with the swallowing I go through the entire house and pick up anything off the floor that she could swallow. The best treatment I have found is giving her extra love and distractions, taking her for walks, etc. but this only calms her emotionally. Only time resolves these episodes. A shame the veterinary community hasn’t identified this cause / treatment.

Omg i can’t believe this!!!! U just described my dogs condition!!! I have videos and just compared it to yours and its basically the same thing!!! My dog has been doing this for over 7 months know and I’m desperate because I’ve taken him to 5 vets and non of them can give me an answer!!! I’m about to have a baby and I’m hopping I get an answer soon so he can get well! But I’m still in shock with ur description because I’m telling u it’s the same thing!! HELP!!!

I notice it is several years since this blog was first posted but wanted to say thank you for posting it! This describes our tibetan terrrier’s problem exactly! He is 3 years old & has had these licky fits for as long as I can remember! They more than always happen during the night where he’ll lick himself then over swallow & become extremely distressed, frantically running to the back door hitting it until I let him out then he will frantically eat grass this old happen up to 9 times during the night he will eventually settle after his morning walk he always comes back from it as if nothing has been wrong (apart from tiredness from no sleep). We have had him at the vet so many times he’s had anti biotics, anti sickness tablets a sole investigation to no avail the vet is baffled even showed her a video if him when he has a licky fit. Last time we were there a month ago she prescribed Zitac half a tablet 3 times a day it has partially helped I think in that I wonder if it has helped with gas or pain as he is not as distressed now but it has not reduced the frequency of their occurrence – 7 times in the last couple of months. What we have started to realise is that if Mac doesn’t eat enough it seems to bring one on. When he is having one we have found not allowing him to eat grass has helped immensely instead of that feeding him some of his dog food this doesn’t stop it but seems to reduce his distress allowing him to eat the grass seemed to be making Mac more distressed.. He sleeps in our room at night when he has a licky fit now he is calm enough to stay in the room which is a huge improvement. I would be so interested to hear of any other useful remedies others have found. It’s so heartbreaking to see him so upset & distressed. For the last three years we’ve been at a loss as to what was wrong but thanks to this blog we can finally relate to something.

If all tests are passed and clear, the licking and swallowing can be for a variety of reasons; my golden does this before he sleeps, after he eats, when he wakes up, usually 3-4 swallows. Dogs do this to for some or all of the following 1.) calm down for sleep 2.) relieve nausea 3.)relieve stomach upsets/acid 4.)dry throat 5.) anxiety 6.)serious ailment or blockage. If its not a serious physical ailment then dogs are similar to humans once they pick up a habit that they can use to help cope with life they will continue it.

If they problem is from stomach acid and is diet related then try boiled rice, potatoes, with shredded chicken breast. Yams, celery, carrots, bananas and oatmeal seem to help too.

If the problem is psychological, meaning for example, my dog got carsick and threw up, and then within a couple of weeks was attacked by 2 dogs and had someone in the family get hospitalized as well. This left him with extremely high anxiety on what was going on. So perhaps, this type of licking, swallowing is way for him to cope. But taking him for long walks throughout the day has made the situation better; introducing him to new scents. Next, he is a retriever, so taking him to play fetch at the beach reminded him of who he is and it seems to have calmed his night issues as I have a feeling he is waking up with nightmares and does a lot of this gulping.

In short, physical activity is extremely important, they need to be active for hours throughout the day as opposed to traditionally just being in the house; this will make them stronger and settle their issues! If you need to hire a dog walker to help, you need to do it for the pooch! Good luck!

Interesting information. I have a 7 year old male great dane who has now had 2 episodes- one this evening, the other also in the evening. I like the suggestion of slippery elm will try it. Usually all summer when he has an upset stomach he will eat the leaves of the echinacea plant. Thank you!!

Laura, have you found an answer?

i am in the exact same situation! My pitbull does exactly what you are describing. the fits come randomly and he will lick everything and eat anything in sight, including the rug! He also does this gulping behavior,with the coughs. the coughs sound like he is trying to cough something up. he will also occasionally vomit. We have tried everything! Canned pumpkin, white bread, homeopathic calcium carbonate, and also a GI remedy from Berte’s Naturals. We know it isn’t related to his food, because he eats a raw diet. If any remedy is found please let me know! It is so hard to watch him in distress.

We have the same issue with our little jack chi! It’s so random and so scary. I have found that giving her a Benadryl helps TREMENDOUSLY. Our vet also says she has never seen or heard of such a thing.