Dog's obsessive licking of tile floor might indicate a diet deficiency

Dear Dr. Fox:

We have a 15-year-old Lhasa apso. Except for some cataracts, he is in good health.

Four years ago, we replaced our kitchen floor with Mexican tile. About a year ago, he began to obsessively lick the tile floor. Nothing stops him. The foyer is also covered with Mexican tile, but he shows no interest in that -- only two spots in the kitchen.

The kitchen floor is kept clean. We used to clean it with white vinegar, but after trying many products, we finally decided to use just water. Nothing is dropped on the floor. We've had cleaning crews in, and we've checked every product they use.

We are baffled. We spend a lot of time in the kitchen and do not want to isolate him. He is a sociable dog and likes to be in the middle of the action most of the time.

M.F.

Catharpin

DF: I wish all pet households would clean their tile and linoleum floors with hot water and a little white vinegar and borax or baking soda, and use organic cleaners such as organic Orange TKO instead of more widely used cleaners containing potentially toxic ingredients, notably endocrine-disrupting volatile organic compounds.