Puppy kisses can be a sweet sign of affection from your dog, but only if you don’t think too hard about it. A dog’s mouth contains over 600 different types of bacteria.
Of course we don’t approach other humans and lick their chins to show them we love them, but there are many things that make dogs different from humans. For example, dogs have a much better sense of smell and hearing.
Have you ever wondered what your dog is trying to tell you when it licks you, itself, or objects in the house?Here’s what the experts say.
Why do dogs lick their paws?
If your dog licks your paws or hands, it’s because he’s curious and trying to get more information from you. Although they have fewer taste buds than humans, their tongues are still a powerful tool for exploring and understanding their surroundings. According to Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Rover’s veterinary consultant, licking parts of the body that have lots of scent glands can help them understand smell.
It is also an expression of love. “It’s a very normal part of how they communicate and bond with us,” Greenstein says.
Every person has a characteristic scent. It is influenced by several biological factors, including health, cleanliness, and the presence or absence of pets.
“All of these things come together to give the dog information. Some people are very attractive to the dog, and some people say, ‘No, I’m not interested,'” Greenstein said. Masu.
Therefore, this is a completely normal and even healthy sign of the human-dog bond. No need to worry.
However, if your dog compulsively licks other things, such as table surfaces, carpets, or himself, there may be potential concerns. Compulsive surface licking may indicate that your dog is trying to soothe dental disease or digestive issues, and is a reason to consult your veterinarian.
Why do dogs lick their paws?
Dogs regularly lick their paws to groom themselves and remove dirt and debris. However, if your dog licks its paws excessively, it may be trying to tell you that something is wrong. The most common reasons are:
physical illness
If a dog has something stuck in its paw or is inflamed, it may express its discomfort to soothe or warn you and help you remove it.
It could also be a sign of mites living in or around the paws, which are especially common in young dogs. If your dog has mites, the dog will become red, itchy, and may experience hair loss.
Dr. Greenstein will thoroughly examine your dog’s paws for gravel, cuts, scrapes, swollen areas, secretions, blood, or unusual odors that may be signs of infection. We recommend that you do so.
However, physical illness is not the only cause of paw licking. In fact, they are the least common. “In my practice, people often overestimate the idea that there must be something physically wrong with their foot, rather than consider that there may be other things going on. That happens a lot,” Greenstein said.
allergy
If you check your dog’s paws and don’t see anything, it could be an underlying allergy, another common but surprising cause. Greenstein says excessive licking or licking multiple paws could indicate this.
Allergies can be environmental, such as pollen or dust, or due to food sensitivities.
“It doesn’t necessarily require physical contact with the paw (with the allergen) to be a sign of an allergy, which is why most pet parents don’t make the connection,” says Greenstein. .
behavioral
Paw licking is also a self-calming behavior and feels good for dogs, so it can become a habit or an anxious urge. Dogs may have anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (called canine obsessive-compulsive disorder), which may manifest as paw licking.
This habit may become a concern if your pet damages the fur or injures the skin by licking. This is a sign that it’s time to see a veterinarian.
“Before you scold your pet for licking too much… first determine whether there is a medical basis for this, and if so, diagnose and treat it, and once the treatment and management is complete, if the symptoms still persist… “To reduce the frequency and severity of self-trauma, we may need to prevent the opportunity,” says Greenstein.
Common methods include the infamous “cone of shame” and dog boots that cover the paws. It can also be helpful to distract your pet to lick something else, such as a toy, a licking pad, or a “nose mat” that provides an interesting sensory experience for your dog.
When should you be worried about your dog licking his paws?
The issue is one of severity and frequency, Greenstein said. First, examine the foot to see if it’s simply a pine needle or thorn stuck in it.
“If you notice symptoms such as constant licking, scratching the skin, swelling, affecting the entire foot, or itching or limping in other areas, see your doctor. It’s time to go to the vet,” says Greenstein.
A visit to your veterinarian can help with diagnosis and treatment. It’s also important to avoid infections, which can be exacerbated by your dog licking to relieve pain and itching.
Why does my dog vomit? If you see these colors in the vomit, contact your veterinarian
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