That feeling of getting licked by your dog’s wet, sandpaper-like tongue can be both strange and refreshing at the same time. Is it just an affectionate gesture, or are there some specific benefits to being licked by your pup?
As it turns out, there are a few reasons behind your dog’s licking behavior and why your dog might lick you. In this blog post, we’ll look at those reasons and some surprising behavioral traits that might be causing your four-legged friend to kiss you with his mouth rather than wag with his tail.
What Does it Mean When Your Dog Licks You?
When you hear your dog’s toenails clicking on the floor as he races toward you, you can’t help but smile. When he jumps on you with his muddy paws, licks your face, and wags his tail so hard his whole back-end wiggles, you just want to meet.
Why do dogs lick people? This is a question that has never been answered effectively until now. It turns out that when a dog licks you, it means something entirely different than when a cat does.
Dogs lick their owners because they are happy to see them or excited about what’s going on around them. It could also mean they are asking for something, like food or attention.
Licking Behavior In Pets
Many dog owners see dog licking becoming a problem when it evolves into excessive or when it is done in an attempt to get attention. Licking people can also be a sign of anxiety.
If your dog is licking people, it is important to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to rule out any underlying medical causes and to develop a plan to address the behavioral issues.
In some cases, behavioral modification techniques may be necessary to help your dog learn to focus his licking on appropriate objects.
Why Do Dogs Lick People?
Dogs will lick almost anything, from toys to food to their owners. But why do dogs lick people? Many people think it’s a friendly gesture or just a fun way for dogs to bond with humans. In reality, there are two reasons why dogs lick people: because they like it and because they’re stressed.
It’s not just dogs that lick other people. Cats lick people too, but for different reasons. It’s usually because they want to get their human’s attention, which isn’t surprising since licking has a pleasurable effect on both parties. It stimulates the production of natural chemicals in your brain called endorphins.
The Reasons Behind Dog Kisses
As it turns out, dogs lick their humans for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, licking is one way for dogs to communicate with their human family members. When your dog licks you, she’s telling you that she loves you.
This isn’t an emotional response to an I love you because I am indebted to you; rather, she thinks you’re her best friend, and she wants to share herself with you by giving kisses (aka licking).
1. Hunger
Dogs lick to show hunger. Many dogs, especially puppies, lick out of a need for attention; if they feel ignored, they’ll often begin licking nearby people or objects in an attempt to get your attention. (*)
If you notice your dog is trying to lick you a lot more than usual—whether it’s during mealtime or when you’re reading the paper—it could be a sign that they are hungry and looking for some loving attention.
2. Greeting
Your dog licks you because it wants to greet you in most cases. Licking or giving kisses it’s your dog’s way of welcoming you home.
Researchers have observed that some wild dogs are often licking the other members of their pack as a way to say welcome home.
3. Affection and Comfort
When dogs lick you, they’re not necessarily showing affection, but it sure feels like it. Dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they also use their tongues to clean other animals in their pack—it’s a way of showing love, especially mother dogs.
If your dog licks you with his wet tongue, he is probably trying to show his love for you by sharing his saliva with you—sort of like kissing.
4. Grooming
One theory on why dogs lick you is because they’re grooming you. If you’ve ever seen a mother dog lick her puppies to clean them, you know how important it is for animals to make sure their offspring don’t have parasites.
5. Attention
Another possible reason why your dog is licking you is that it wants your attention. When your dog licks you, you won’t certainly respond with negative attention and love it in most cases.
The next time you ask yourself, “why do dogs lick you” it may be because they are simply asking for attention.
6. You Taste Nice
Many studies have shown that dogs’ tongues can taste salt in human sweat. So, the next time your dog wants to lick you when you are sweaty after a workout – you can assume it is because you taste good.
Also, your dog may want to kiss you after you have eaten your meal. Even if you don’t have any leftovers on your face, your dog may be able to pick up some enticing smells of the food you have eaten with their incredible senses.
7. They Are Anxious
This is probably the strangest answer to the question, “why do dogs lick you.” According to recent studies, dogs might feel anxious for a couple of reasons, including:
- Your behavior towards them – if you had done something aversive, such as yelling, your dog may feel a little anxious afterward.
- Many dogs are prone to feeling anxious. This is based on their disposition.
- Some dogs may suffer from separation issues. If your dog has separation anxiety, it may feel anxious when you leave, or you return to your home.
When dogs are experiencing anxiety, they are trying to find a way to help them relax. Licking causes their brains to release dopamine and endorphins, both of which help them feel calmer, so don’t try to get your dog to stop.
If you want to help your dog to be less anxious, try petting and cuddling it. This way, you will encourage it to use licking as a method to release stress in the future.
When Can Excessive Licking Be Bad?
All in all, dogs are just trying to express their love and affection—albeit in an over-the-top way. But if your pup’s licking becomes excessive (like, almost every time you pet him), that’s a good sign that something might be wrong. Check with your vet; excessive licking could be a sign of allergies or other problems like diabetes.
Medical Reasons Why Dogs Lick
There are several medical reasons why dogs lick people. When you’re with your dog, he may approach and give you a quick kiss or lick your face or hand—it could be his way of saying that he’s happy to see you, which is a sign of showing positive attention. However, when that licking becomes excessive, it could indicate that your dog has some medical issues.
If your dog has particularly hot breath, it could mean that he’s just panting in an attempt to cool down because he’s too hot; licking will help him feel better by cooling down his body temperature.
There are a few potential medical causes for extensive licking: allergies, infection, underlying pain, and GI issues.
Maybe your dog has a skin condition that causes its skin or paws to ich. A lot of infections that come from different bacteria, fungi, or parasites can also cause itchiness. If your dog feels itching, it will lead to excessive licking.
Uncomfortable pain from an injury or arthritis may cause dogs to lick excessively. This happens because licking releases endorphins, which are natural pain killers. It helps them soothe the pain.
How Can You Stop Your Dog from Excessively Licking
Excessive licking may lead to hot spots, hair loss, or skin irritation. To prevent this, avoid punishing your dog. Instead, try to redirect their focus by occupying them with another activity.
Try using positive reinforcement training and reward the dog after they perform the desired behavior. For example, if your dog stops licking itself when you say “Stop,” reward him with something.
However, if the licking is caused by a medical reason, consult with your veterinarian and ask them to diagnose and treat the dog’s condition.
FAQ
Conclusion
There you have it! The surprising truth about why dogs lick you. It could be a sign of affection, a way to show submissiveness, or simply an attempt to get your attention. Regardless of the reason, it’s always nice to know that your furry friend loves you enough to give you a good ol’ tongue bath!
*photo by TatyanaGl – depositphotos
