Written in collaboration with vets
If you’ve got a dog, you’re more than likely to be on the receiving end of a considerable number of licks!
Here we take a look at the different reasons why our furry friends lick. We’ve also got advice on what to do if it becomes a problem.
If you’ve ever watched a litter of puppies, you’ll know that there’s a whole lot of licking! Mums will lick their puppies to keep them clean, give them comfort and encourage them to go to the toilet.
These behaviours are carried with them into adulthood. As a result, dogs will use their ability to lick for many reasons, from exploration to self-soothing. Here are some of the most common:
Have you ever referred to your dog’s licks as kisses? Well, the good news is that’s not silly because dogs do often lick their owners (and other dogs) as a sign of affection. This is why dogs will sometimes lick you when you pet them.
Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell which means if you’ve just eaten something, they may be able to detect a whiff of it.
Dogs can also be attracted to the smell of sweat, which goes to explain why they are often so licky if you’ve just done vigorous exercise! You see, when we sweat, we release salt and other chemicals that dogs seem to find appealing.
Do you often get slobbered on the moment you walk through the door, and is this accompanied by a wagging tail and general excitement? This is your dog's way of greeting you.
Dogs use licking behaviours as a greeting, though their meaning can run deeper than that. This kind of behaviour is often a form of bonding, but can also mean a few different things.
Just as in humans, your dog may be offering a sociable ‘hello’, an attention-seeking ‘hello’, or even an empathetic ‘hello’.
Studies have shown dogs to be empathetic, and if your furry friend decides you seem a bit low, they may well offer up some licks to make you feel better. After all, that’s what their mum did when they were puppies.
Dogs will lick their humans to offer comfort and to aid in reducing their stress. It’s a natural response for your dog to want to comfort you, only highlighting their empathy.
In the wild, puppies who are too young to hunt may lick their mother’s lips when they get back from hunting. This is their way of telling their mum they’d like something to eat. Similarly, you might find that your dog gets ‘licky’ when they’re peckish.
Why do dogs lick? Because they’re dogs! That may seem flippant, but it’s always worth bearing in mind that, whatever other reasons there might be for your dog licking, it’s also just a behaviour that comes naturally to them. It can often occur as an appeasement gesture.
You might be used to your dog sniffing around the time you stop on your morning walk, but they also use their tongues to explore, too. For dogs, licking is just another way to gather information about their environment, from scents and smells to textures and tastes.
For dogs, licking releases calming endorphins, which manage stress and anxiety. This is why you might find your canine companion licking themself in stressful situations.
It’s also worth noting that this is a behaviour ingrained into them from birth, as dog mothers lick their young to calm them down, too.
When your dog licks your face or ears, it could be simply due to the saltiness of skin and earwax. However, face-licking is also a highly common method dogs use to seek attention or showcase their love for you.
It can also be a way to display obedience and respect for their human.
Not all dog-licking behaviours have clear reasoning behind them. In the case of hand and feet licking, dogs could do this for a variety of reasons.
It may well be them expressing their affection, though it could also be a means of exploring new smells or tastes that your hands and feet present, especially if you have just held some sort of food.
Just as there are many reasons your dog may lick you, there are also many reasons why they lick themselves.
Common areas that dogs lick, and the reasons why, are listed below:
Your dog will lick its front legs for many of the same reasons it’ll lick its paws. Some additional reasons include skin conditions or infections, which can also affect the toes and feet.
Some dogs also suffer with lick granuloma, which is a condition where a dog obsessively licks an area of itself, usually the lower body, until it creates a skin lesion. This is often as a result of stress or underlying pain.
We’ve all seen a dog lick their lips as we sit down with our dinner, but anticipation of food isn’t the only reason dogs lick this area.
Other reasons include self-soothing due to stress or pain and sending out calming signals to indicate that they are not a threat.
Dental issues such as plaque or foreign objects stuck in teeth can cause this too, as can nausea and gastrointestinal issues.
As you can imagine, this is an area that often requires cleaning. Most instances of dogs licking their bums are for grooming or cleaning purposes.
That said, it can also be a response to irritants like fleas or parasites or infections and allergens. When a dog experiences anal gland issues, it is a common symptom for them to lick their anal region more, too.
It’s possible that your dog is licking in a bid to self-soothe in response to irritants. This could be minor wounds, bacterial infections, or allergens. Licking the genital area could indicate a urinary infection. It could also be a response to parasites such as fleas or mites.
Areas to keep a close eye on in particular are the groin and paws.
Although licking comes naturally to dogs, there are times when the answer to ‘why do dogs lick?’ is because there is some sort of a problem.
Below are the most common instances where dog licking can be cause for concern:
A dog might lick you to tell you they are feeling bored or lonely. If you think your furry friend is doing this on a regular basis, it’s worth having a think about whether they’re getting enough mental and physical stimulation.
Our tips on games to play with your puppy might come in handy here. One thing you want to try to avoid is immediately rewarding those licks with attention. Remember that saying ‘no’ or pushing your dog away is still attention, albeit of a negative variety.
If your dog suddenly starts licking you or themself much more than normal, it could be a sign they are stressed or anxious or they are struggling with something such as an injury or arthritis.
If your dog licking its lips is also accompanied by yawning, this is a calming signal and can be your dog’s response to stress. It can also mean they are trying to calm you down if they perceive you to be stressed.
They may even do this with other pets in your home, too. Continued yawning and lip-licking on regular occasions should be addressed by a vet or behaviourist.
If you’re at all concerned, it’s best to see your vet to rule these things out.
Stress and anxiety in dogs can also lead to issues like lick granuloma or skin lesions from excessive licking, which should be seen to as soon as possible.
Occasionally, a dog licking obsessively, whether it’s themselves or you, can be a sign of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Again, the best advice here is to chat to your vet.
Most of the time, dog licks aren’t a problem. In fact, a lot of dog owners enjoy these doggy ‘kisses’.
However, it’s not so pleasant if your dog has, well, dog breath! If that’s the case, it’s important to realise that, contrary to popular belief, this is not normal. Check out why does my dog have bad breath and gum disease in dogs.
Even if your dog has a perfectly pleasant-smelling breath, you might not be happy about them licking if you often find yourself wondering ‘why do dogs lick you so much’? In other words, if you feel as if your furry friend might be particularly ‘licky’! If that’s the case, here’s what to do:
If your dog is licking excessively, particularly if this is a new behaviour for them, it’s important to rule out that something is making them stressed or anxious or that it’s the sign of a health problem. A trip to the vet is what’s needed here.
Are your dog’s licks their way of telling you they’re bored, or they could do with a walk? It’s time to look at that schedule!
When it comes to dealing with excessive licking, it’s worth having a few tricks up your sleeve, by which we mean dog tricks. You see, teaching your dog how to shake paws or roll over or whatever is a great way to provide mental stimulation.
You know your dog best and if you observe them closely, you’ll soon get an idea of the times they’re most likely to get very ‘licky’. You can then be ready to distract them with their favourite toy or something like a puzzle feeder.
If you tend to find yourself wondering ‘why do dogs lick you so much’ every time you get in from a run, it’s likely that your dog is licking so much because they find the sweat appetising. Yup, time to jump in the shower!
In conclusion, there’s a myriad of reasons why dogs lick you, and most of the time it’s nothing to worry about.
Why not check out our advice on How to brush your dog’s teeth.
NOTE: We wouldn’t advise you to let your dog lick your face or your children’s faces. Dogs’ tongues carry lots of bacteria.
We all love it when our dogs show their love for us, but sometimes it can be a little too much. If you do want your dog to stop licking you, there are some effective techniques you can use to curb those behaviours:
No matter how you do it, it’s important to remember consistency is key, and physical punishment is never the answer.
Despite it being an ingrained behaviour in all dogs, some canines lick more than others. This may be due to age, breed, and relationship.
As we’ve shown, the answer to ‘why do dogs lick you?’ isn’t as straightforward to answer as you might have thought.
There are many reasons why dogs lick, and it is a behaviour ingrained into them from birth. From showcasing their affection and bidding for human attention, to exploring new surroundings, licking has many useful purposes for every dog.
Not all licks are for positive reasons though, and obsessive or abnormal licking behaviours can be signs of underlying issues such as stress, anxiety, or other health concerns.
As their human, it is up to you to monitor your dog's licking behaviour to determine its meaning, and to keep an eye on any problematic licking that could affect their health.
Dogs licking their humans can mean many things. It can be an attempt to gain your attention, or to show you how much they love you.
It might also just be because they can smell food on your hands!
Dogs have many ways of showing affection, though licking is a big one. Your canine companion may lick you to show its love for you.
Dogs apologise to each other and to humans through displays of submissive behaviour. This could be a lowered head, tucked tail, exposed belly or toy offering. It may also be gentle nudging and licking, or an avoidance of eye contact.
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