Whether you find it absolutely adorable or kinda yucky, there’s no denying that dogs tend to lick. They lick themselves, they lick their toys, and of course, they lick us. But have you ever wondered why?
“Some dogs are just lickers. They know that people, in general, give a certain response, like petting the dog and saying, ‘Oh you’re so cute!’—dogs like that,” Dr. Jeff Werber, Fi Veterinary Consultant and Emmy award-winning veterinarian tells Parade. “Just like we like affection, so do our dogs.”
Aside from simply just liking licking, there could be a few other reasons why our dogs turn to their tongues. Whether it’s medical or therapeutic, keep reading for the 411 on why doggies lick, straight from a vet.
Why do dogs lick their humans?
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A dog lick is undeniably a sign of affection, Dr. Werber says. But surprisingly, our reaction to the lick is the most important part. After all, if you respond positively, the dog takes that as a sign to continue licking.
“Licking is a sign of affection. Dogs do typically lick each other, but with humans, it’s something more,” Dr. Werber explains. “What happens with humans is that there is a certain reaction from the lickee to the licker, which is positive for the dog. The affectionate response to its licking makes the dog feel good, so it keeps licking.”
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Alternatively, dogs may also lick themselves for medical reasons or as a way to relax their anxiety.
“Dogs will also lick themselves for therapeutic reasons, like if they hurt their leg and they want to make their wounds feel better,” Dr. Werber says.
If you notice your dog excessively licking themselves—their paws or any other area—you may want to monitor the behavior for a few days and contact your veterinarian if the licking persists. Your dog could be experiencing pain, an infection, or a wound of some kind.
What does it mean when dogs lick you?
Another reason? Dogs may simply like the way you taste! Whether it’s sweat, perfume or other scent, or just yummy-tasting skin, you can take a lick as a sign that you taste delicious.
“Some people also say that the dogs like our sweat, or perhaps we put something on that tastes good,” Dr. Werber explains. “That could be it too—my dogs will lick me like crazy after a shower—but overall they just like to lick as a sign of affection. But I will tell you this, it is very possible that some people—and it’s not necessarily sweat—just taste differently to certain dogs, and they like it. Just like there might be some flavors of lollipop that we like more!”
There might be a difference in how (or why, really) a dog licks their owner versus why a dog licks a stranger.
“When a dog licks its owner, it is really showing a sign of affection,” Dr. Werber says. “If it licks a stranger, it might be a certain scent that they’re sensing that the dog likes or they might be giving off an odor that the dog is attracted to.”
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Is a dog lick a kiss?
Kind of! Between using licking as a way to communicate love and gratitude and then also being validated by the cutesy reaction of the human, you can think of a dog lick like a kiss.
“A dog lick means that they like you. We’ve always thought that when a dog licks us, it’s like a kiss and that they like us,” Dr. Werber explains. “Therefore, when dogs lick us, we respond positively. Dogs like that response, so their Pavlovian reaction is, ‘every time I lick, I get this positive reaction.’”
Why do dogs lick objects?
Sometimes dogs lick objects, too—their toys, your pillow or comforter, or maybe even the furniture. Does this mean that your dog is showing affection to those objects? Probably not.
According to American Kennel Club, if your dog is licking the furniture—or other soft objects—it may be an indication of a medical issue or anxiety. The best way to know if it’s either of these reasons is if the behavior is excessive. When triggered by anxiety, a dog may choose to excessively lick as a way to self-soothe. However, if you only notice a few licks here and there, it could be nothing to worry about.
After all, AKC notes that a dog may lick objects out of boredom, too. If the behavior isn’t excessive, then it may just be that your dog needs more stimulation: Longer walks, more frequent walks, boredom-busting toys, etc.
Is it safe to let your dog lick you?
OK, so now that you know that a dog lick is essentially a kiss, is it a kiss that’s, well, safe? And sanitary?
“Yes, I personally have been licked by thousands of dogs, and I have not been sick,” Dr. Werber says. “The bacteria in their mouths are typically not as pathogenic or disease-causing for us as that of, for example, a human bite.”
However, a kind of myth still persists about dog-licks not being sanitary. Of course, there are exceptions.
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Dr. Werber explains, “Years ago, there was a story about a man who had his arms and legs amputated because of a dog bacteria passed in saliva called Capnocytophaga, a very virulent bacteria passed in the saliva of some dogs. If a person has some sort of immunosuppressive condition or is on immunosuppressive drugs, this bacteria can travel in the bloodstream and cause disease. So, this guy had to have his arms and legs amputated. When they interviewed an infectious disease specialist for the story, she said that as a mother of young kids, she allowed her dogs to lick her and her kids all the time.”
Even still, there’s no need to freak out. If you are a typically healthy person and your dog is healthy overall, there isn’t much need for concern. However, the immunocompromised should perhaps be extra vigilant.
“So, is it possible if all the stars are aligned, like this person is on immunosuppressive drugs and has a specific medical condition, that a dog lick could make them sick? Yes, but it is not even remotely likely,” Dr. Werber explains. “That’s why I have no qualms about being licked. The positive response I give to the dogs that lick me compels them to want to lick even more.”
Should you let your dog lick you?
You should do whatever you’re comfortable with!
“Absolutely,” Dr. Werber says. “If you’re squeamish, let him lick someplace else. People have accused me of rubbing baby food all over my face… because of how much dogs lick me… The answer is no, I didn’t. It’s more about the affectionate reaction I give them,” Dr. Werber adds.
So, if you really love doggie-licks, let ’em lick you. And make sure to show them a positive reaction so, you know, they’ll keep on lickin’!
Next up, these signs mean that your dog loves you.