Why Do Dogs Lick You?
You may love your dog, but not all of us appreciate those slobbery kisses from our furry friends. Many pet parents believe their dogs lick them to show affection, and while this is often true, there are also many other reasons for licking. Understanding why dogs lick can help us better communicate with and care for our pets.
Why Do Dogs Lick You?
Licking is a natural instinct in dogs. Studies have shown that licking releases endorphins in a dog’s brain, which are neurotransmitters that make dogs (and humans) feel calmer and more relaxed. This, in turn, leads to a release of dopamine, another neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation.
Dogs lick for a variety of reasons, including affection, communication, grooming, exploration, attention, and taste. Let's delve into these reasons and understand why your dog might be licking different parts of your body. Why Do Dogs Lick You?.
Dogs Learn to Lick as Puppies
Mother dogs lick their pups to clean and stimulate them as soon as they are born. For the first few weeks of their lives, puppies are prompted to urinate and defecate by their mother’s licking. This early experience teaches puppies that licking is a useful tool for communicating and interacting with their world.
Puppies lick to appease older dogs, including their mother, and to ensure safe social interactions. They also lick each other to show affection and comfort themselves and their littermates.
Dogs Lick People to Enhance Smell
Licking enhances a dog’s sense of smell. Dogs have a much smaller number of taste buds than humans, so they rely more on their sense of smell when deciding what to lick or eat. This is likely why dogs enjoy licking areas of our bodies that have strong tastes and smells, such as our hands, faces, ears, and feet.
Why Do Dogs Lick Your Hands?
As you go about your day, your hands collect a variety of smells and flavors that your dog wants to investigate. Your hands are like a roadmap for your dog, telling the story of your day through the scents and tastes they carry. Additionally, the sweat from your palms leaves a salty residue on your skin, which many dogs find appealing.
Why Do Dogs Lick Your Face?
Your face is exposed to many interesting smells and tastes, making it an attractive target for your dog’s tongue. The sweat glands on your cheeks and forehead produce a salty flavor, while the glands in your eyelids and nostrils create distinct odors. Food residues around your mouth also attract your dog’s attention.
Licking your face is likely an instinctual behavior for your dog, used for mutual grooming, showing affection, and communicating appeasement or harmlessness. Excited reactions from pet parents can reinforce this behavior, making it more likely to occur.
Why Does My Dog Lick My Ears?
Your dog may lick your ears to taste them, keep them clean, or show affection. The glands in your ear canals produce a thick fluid that creates an odor when mixed with the natural bacteria on your skin, making your ears an enticing target.
Dogs lick each other’s ears for grooming purposes, and because this is a vulnerable interaction, it indicates a high level of trust and safety.
Why Does My Dog Lick My Feet?
The eccrine glands on the soles of your feet produce sweat, which creates a salty treat for your dog. If you laugh or smile when your dog licks your feet, you may be reinforcing this behavior, making it more likely to happen in the future.
Why Does My Dog Lick My Legs?
After a shower, your dog may lick the water droplets from your skin. Shampoo, body wash, and shaving creams leave interesting scents and tastes on your skin, attracting your dog. If the leg-licking occurs at other times, it could be due to lotion, salt from sweat, or other substances you’ve come into contact with.
When Is Licking a Problem?
While licking is a normal behavior, it can sometimes indicate a medical or behavioral issue. Behaviorally, frequent licking in response to an event that is difficult to interrupt can be a sign of anxiety. Excessive licking of a person can mean that the dog is not comfortable with that person and is either trying to soothe themselves, gather more information, or move the person away.
Licking can be a calming signal or a displacement behavior. When a dog feels stressed, anxious, or conflicted, they may use licking to buy time and communicate that they are not ready to engage. Licking, because of its effect on endorphins and dopamine, can also be a coping mechanism for anxiety-provoking situations and is common in compulsive disorders.
Medically, chronic licking of a specific area can indicate allergies, infections, or pain. Licking objects like couches, rugs, or floors may suggest gastrointestinal issues.
If you recognize any problematic forms of licking, seek help from a professional. Start by consulting your veterinarian to rule out medical issues. If the problem is behavioral, a certified behavior consultant can provide the necessary expertise to address the behavior. Complex cases may require a comprehensive approach to ensure your dog’s well-being and happiness.
Understanding the various reasons behind your dog’s licking can help you address any potential issues and strengthen the bond with your furry friend.
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