LICK FITS

Picture
“Lick Fit” is a term Swissy enthusiasts use to describe the frantic licking Swissys can be prone to.  This phenomenon has been reported to hit roughly 17% of the breed.  When in the middle of a Lick Fit, the dog will lick anything they can (carpet, floors, walls) and will eat anything they can find (grass, leaves, dirt, carpet) and will gulp air and swallow constantly.  Their actions make it obvious they are in severe gastrointestinal discomfort.  Many Swissy owners speculate as to the causes, theorizing about acid reflux or gas buildup in the stomach.   Some have success in alleviating lick fits by allowing dog to eat grass, feed a slice of bread soaked in milk, and/or giving Tums or Gas-X.  Lick Fits are most common in young Swissys, but any age can be affected.  Many owners are able to prevent lick fits by ensuring the dog never has an empty stomach, using more frequent, smaller meals as opposed to one large one and feeding large dog biscuits as between meal snacks.