Does Your Dog Lick You? Here’s Why

There’s no doubt that dogs look pretty adorable and hilarious when they lick you. But what could be the reason behind it? Let’s look at a few different reasons. 

1. Affection and love 

Since your dog cannot communicate with you in your language, they lick you to show love and affection. Sometimes it’s a lick on the arm, other times it might be a snuggle or a tail wag, all of these are signs that they are trying to convey their loving emotions to their hoomans. 

2. It’s in their genes

Many female animals lick their little ones to clean them, wild dogs, wolves, etc., lick other members of their pack. Pups also do this when they ask their parent for food. 

While our tamed pet dogs may have been distant from the wild species, the desire to lick is probably in their DNA. 

3. Attention

As we talked about it above, dogs don’t use our language. They communicate in their own ways, like looking at you with those adorable puppy eyes! Similarly, your dog might come and lick your leg to ask for attention. 

4. Good taste

While from a human’s perspective, this is super weird and maybe disgusting, dogs are different as they use their mouth as one of the main sources to exploration. 

If they find that your skin has an interesting taste, they will probably want to lick it again. 

5. Excitement or nervousness 

Dogs can repeatedly lick you if they are excited, or even when they are nervous. Dogs sometimes lick other dogs or people to try to show that they come in peace, and are not a threat. 

If your dog is licking you a lot, just give him more time and engage with him in fun activities.

Is it bad for your dog to lick you?

Probably not. If you don’t have open wounds or a weak immune system, you will most probably be fine. You can always confirm with your doctor. 

Since your dog licks different things throughout the day, some of which might be gross, you may want to keep the licking away from your face and mouth area. 

Next time your furiend licks you, you will probably be able to figure out why!

Read more dog training and health tips here.