Lick Fits

By: Anna Wallace



“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.   Most agree that  the easiest way to solve the problem is to induce
vomiting with a few teaspoons  of hydrogen peroxide given by mouth, followed by
a slice or two of bread and a  couple Gas-X capsules once the vomiting stops. 
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.