Why do dogs lick their owners? Is it just affection or also stress?
Why do dogs lick their owners? Is it just affection or also stress?
Written by Silvia Capelli
September 8, 2023
I imagine that many of you would answer this question by saying: my dog licks me because it loves me. And actually, this response is correct: dogs lick their owners to show affection.
However, there can be other reasons, some of which may be related to a compulsive behavior of the animal and actually be a reaction to stress, or a symptom that the animal is unwell or experiencing discomfort. We must be vigilant and carefully evaluate the attitudes and behaviors of our dogs.
But let's try to understand better why dogs lick their owners, and how to identify the causes of potential problems.
Why do dogs lick themselves?
Licking, or self-licking, is instinctive in dogs: mothers lick their puppies to clean them and communicate with them; this is the best way for them to establish the mother-child bond, and it's also what the puppy learns from an early age.
Dogs also lick themselves to clean, as a normal part of their daily grooming routine.
Why does a dog lick its owner?
Showing Affection
A dog licking its owner primarily does so to show affection, much like how we give kisses and hugs. The dog learned this as a puppy and now expresses affection to the person it loves most in the world.
Dogs might lick the face or other body parts: some dogs are trained not to lick faces and may instead lick hands or feet. But it's still a sign of affection.
Seeking Attention
If you're particularly distracted, but Fido wants your attention, the best way to get it is by giving you a big lick on the face. It's another form of communication and often works!
You Taste Good
When we come back from a workout, dogs seem attracted to our sweat and start licking us. Sweat releases salt and other substances that attract dogs, making our taste irresistible to them.
This also applies to body creams, but be careful not to use anything toxic for the dog!
The Dog Is Hungry
Puppies lick and nibble on their mother's mouth to let her know they're hungry. It's a perfectly normal behavior learned from birth, and your dog may ask you for food in the same way.
The Dog Is Anxious
Sometimes anxiety and insecurity in dogs are not just shown by yawning but also by licking their owners' faces. It's a way for the dog to ensure its owner knows their loyal friend is in distress and needs their support.
Showing Empathy
Since dogs are one of the few animals capable of demonstrating empathy and interpreting human emotions, if they see you crying or know you're sad, they might lick you to offer comfort.
Maternal Instincts
Maternal instincts work both ways: dogs don't just see us as the adults of the family but also as puppies to protect and care for, so they might lick us as a mother would.
Have you ever noticed dogs often lick their owners in the morning? It's practically them preparing you for the day, like a mother preparing her children before sending them to school. Plus, they're happy to see you after a long night of dreams!
Submission
Sometimes dogs lick their owners or people in general to demonstrate submission. This is a widespread behavior, similar to the practice of lying on their backs in front of another dog.
Response to a Gesture of Affection
Often when you pet your dog, it licks you: it's simply a response to the mutual exchange of affection and a sign of love from Fido.
How to Know if Excessive Licking is a Problem?
So far, we've listed pleasant reasons why dogs lick people, but there can also be motivations related to Fido's health, for which a veterinarian's consultation might be needed.
Anxiety and Stress
When a dog licks compulsively, especially specific body parts like paws or feet, it could indicate discomfort, such as severe anxiety or stress.
The dog reassures and comforts itself by licking, but this condition should not be taken lightly, as it could indicate psychological issues in the dog.
Allergies
In some cases, compulsive licking might be caused by a weakened immune system, such as allergies or other conditions that cause discomfort. Or, the dog could be infested with parasites.
In this case, it's important to identify the causes of these abnormal behaviors and understand what's wrong with the dog's health. Allergies can be caused by:
Food that causes intolerance
Environmental agents
Skin diseases (dermatitis)
Parasites
How Can I Stop My Dog from Licking?
If your dog's licking bothers you or you find it unhygienic, you should try to break this habit without humiliating or traumatizing your dog. When it starts to lick you insistently, proceed as follows:
Gently but firmly move away, avoid eye contact and don't pay attention to it, then stand up and leave the room.
Distract it by asking it to perform simple exercises, like sitting or lying down.
Offer it a toy or something to chew on.
Additionally:
Take it outside often, letting it move around and exercise will distract it and reduce its need for attention.
Consistency is key: once you give a command, stick to it. If you tell your dog not to lick you, never allow it. Avoid mixed signals.
Reward your dog, even with just compliments, whenever it follows your commands correctly.
Should I Let My Dog Lick Me?
Honestly, the logical answer would be no, because dogs put their noses everywhere and could potentially transmit bacteria.
On the other hand, most dogs are vaccinated against serious diseases and are regularly dewormed, so if you're not opposed to their displays of affection, you could allow it.
Ultimately, it's a personal choice. You might want to avoid letting your dog lick your mouth, but how often have you heard of people dying or being hospitalized due to excessive dog kisses?
What if my dog licks other people?
If your dog licks other people, remember that while many enjoy a dog's affectionate gestures, not everyone does.
It's good practice to train your dog not to invade the personal space of strangers too much and to obey your commands.
Simply saying a firm "No" whenever Fido becomes too affectionate with a stranger should help you quickly curb this behavior.
What if my dog licks the cat?
If the cat is okay with it, there's no problem. Generally, this action is seen as a gesture of affection or comfort, or the dog might simply want to clean the cat.
It's not unusual; in fact, if Fido and Kitty get along this well, it means you've done a good job with their cohabitation.
There are very affectionate breeds and others that prefer their own space. If you're still undecided about which breed is right for you, find lots of useful information on khani.co.uk
Disclaimer
The information on our site is general in nature and in no way replaces the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts. For any doubts, always turn to your trusted veterinarian.
