If you’re lucky enough to share your home and life with a dog, you’ve probably been in this situation: you come home from work after a long day and after your pet greets you at the door happy and enthusiastic, you take the time to pet it and greet it by petting it behind the ears, for example. Only to be (literally!) covered in a sea of wet kisses – from your hand all the way to your face!
Dogs communicate their wants, needs and moods to us in many ways, and licking is just one of the methods they use to share and express their opinions and attitudes. So if you’ve ever wondered why your furry friend insists on licking you every time you reach out to pet him, just know that he’s “speaking” to you in his own unique way. And what exactly he’s saying to you depends on a few factors, including the environment and probably his overall health.
Why do dogs lick people?
Licking is a natural instinct in dogs. Studies show that the act of licking releases endorphins in the brain, neurotransmitters that make our pets (and us!) feel calmer and more relaxed. This leads to an increase in dopamine, another neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation.
There are many things that dogs lick – some of them are downright repulsive than others. So what does it mean when your four-legged friend licks you? There is no single answer. Four-legged friends lick their owners for a variety of reasons, including affection, communication, grooming, exploration, attention and taste.
Dogs learn to lick as puppies
Mothers lick newborn puppies to clean and stimulate them as soon as they are born. During the first few weeks of a puppy’s life, it is their mother’s licking that prompts them to urinate and defecate. So our pets learn very early on that their tongues are useful tools for communicating and interacting with the world around them. Puppies lick themselves as a gesture of appeasement and submission to older dogs, and to show that they are ready for safe social interactions. And puppies lick each other to show affection and comfort themselves, and sometimes their littermates.
To get a better idea of why dogs like to lick certain areas of our bodies, let’s take a brief look at the anatomy of human sweat. Humans have two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine.
Eccrine glands secrete a thin, clear, odorless fluid made up of salt, proteins, and more, and are found most concentrated on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, forehead, cheeks, and armpits.
Apocrine glands secrete a thicker fluid that reacts with bacteria on our skin to create body odor. They are found in the armpits and groin, but also in the ear canals, eyelids, and nostrils.
With all this funny physiology, how could dogs resist licking parts of us that contain so much scent and flavor?
Why does your dog lick you while you pet him?
When you pet your dog, you are telling him that you love and care for him. And most often, when your pet licks you back, it is simply his way of showing you that the feeling is mutual!
• Signs of affection
Dogs show affection in many ways, and it certainly doesn’t stop at wagging their tails and staring into your eyes while you smile at them. Touching is one way that four-legged friends express love for their humans and other pets who are close to them. Whether it’s snuggling up next to you on the couch or even just resting their entire body on your legs. Licking is another way your pet says “I like you” without actually saying it. And you might be flattered to know that dogs tend to lick only those who are close to them (literally and figuratively), and they do so in an attempt to solidify that bond. Read more about the signs that your dog really loves you here
• Licking as a way of communication
It is known that dogs lick for a number of reasons, be it themselves, other dogs and animals, or the hands and faces of their beloved human companions. According to experts, licking is not only a way of cleaning in our four-legged companions, but also a way for them to express care for others around them.
This behavior is observed in both wild dogs and domesticated animals, although the latter may turn to the family cat or even you, offering you these “shared cleaning services”. In addition, dogs in a pack lick other members of its group who are in a higher social position than them as a way of showing submission, loyalty or even – to beg for food, writes the American Kennel Club.
When your dog licks you, it’s likely a sign of affection, appreciation, or even admiration. Veterinarian, author, and professor Dr. Marty Becker explains that licking releases endorphins that relieve stress and can make dogs feel calmer and more secure.
It’s also possible that your pet is licking you based on your reaction to the gesture. Often, when dogs lick a person’s hand or face, they’re offering them attention in some way—through laughter, talking, or some other gesture of appreciation.
Of course, licking can be done for less adorable reasons than “my dog loves me.” Sometimes, four-legged friends lick an open wound on their skin in an attempt to heal it and reduce discomfort. Sometimes, they just want to enjoy the salty taste of our skin—especially after you’ve been exercising or just about any time during the hot summer.
Excessive Licking
As with most things in life, too much of anything can eventually become a bad or unwanted thing. In terms of licking, excessive use of a dog’s tongue can indicate a more serious problem if the behavior is chronic and your dog can’t stop once it starts.
Dogs that compulsively lick people or other animals may be suffering from stress, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Alternatively, some canines have been shown to resort to excessive licking when they detect a health problem in their loved one. This is according to the results of a study in which almost half of pet owners with type 1 diabetes who were surveyed admitted that their pets were able to indicate low blood sugar levels. How did they let their owners know? You guessed it, by licking.
Why does my dog lick me so much?
Licking is a natural and instinctive behavior for dogs. Our canine companions use it to maintain their appearance, and it plays a role in bonding and expressing their mood. Your pet may lick you to show you they love you, to get your attention, to soothe themselves if they are stressed, to show empathy, or simply because they like the taste of you!
Excessive licking, on the other hand, can sometimes be a sign that your four-legged friend is feeling anxious, uncomfortable, or in pain. If you are concerned about your dog, it is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian or behaviorist.
How good is a dog’s sense of taste?
Dogs are known for their powerful sense of smell, but what about their sense of taste? Surprisingly, humans have nearly 5 times more taste buds than dogs, so at first glance it may seem that our sense of taste is better. Like us, our pets can taste things that are sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. However, they are unable to taste the savory taste that we call umami. On the other hand, it is a curious fact that our furry companions can taste water – something that we are not able to. When we eat, our sense of smell is responsible for about 80% of what we taste, so it is likely that dogs’ sensory sense of smell compensates for the lack of taste buds.
Should I let my dog lick my face?
Whether or not you should let your dog lick your face is a completely personal decision. Keep in mind, however, that while we have all heard the claim that a four-legged friend’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s, it is still full of natural bacteria.
The chances of you getting sick from your dog licking your face are very small, but if you’ve seen your pet licking or eating things they shouldn’t, it raises the question of what else your pet puts in their mouth when you’re not watching? If you do allow your pet to lick your face, be sure to wash it thoroughly afterward to minimize any potential contamination.
Why does my dog lick me in the morning?
Your dog may lick you in the morning as a way of greeting you after you’ve both fallen asleep. It’s possible that he’s happy to see you again after having a dream about chasing rabbits or squirrels! And don’t forget, we sweat and sweat during sleep at night, so your furry friend may like the taste of you in the morning!
Why does my dog lick me after I’ve eaten?
It is estimated that a dog’s sense of smell is between 10,000 and 100,000 times better than ours. No matter how clean you eat, food particles can always linger around your lips, face, and hands once you’re done eating. Your pet can smell everything you’ve eaten, and to them, you still smell delicious!
Illustrative photo: pexels-ian-panelo-12737341
