Grooming Hard to Reach Areas
Weve all had that itch we just cant quite scratch. While humans can take care of that hard-to-reach spot with a mass-produced back-scratcher, animals cant. For pack animals or those that live in family units, this is where grooming behavior can come in handy. Almost in a literal “you scratch my back and I scratch yours” exchange, animals in family- or pack-structures will groom other animals in areas that otherwise may be difficult to reach. While our ears arent particularly difficult of an area to reach, your dog may lick your ears as a way to thank you for all the ear scritches you bestow upon them.
Why Does My Dog Lick My Ears? Is It The Taste Or Just An Act Of Affection?
Not every dog will lick their pet parent’s ears. But it is a relatively common behavior. The most obvious answer as to why a pet will lick your ears – or your face, your hands, or any other part of your body – is affection. It’s simply their way of saying they love you.
All dogs are part of a pack. This can consist of themselves and other dogs, or the pack can consist of dogs and their humans. When your dog licks you, it could be their way of showing they accept you as the leader of the pack. It’s not only a sign of affection, but of respect as well.1
When it comes to licking your ears specifically, though, it could also mean that your ears smell and taste good. And while it may be a gross thought to consider, some dogs might like the taste of human ear wax.2
When Licking Is A Sign Of A Potential Health Issue
While licking is one of the most common types of dog behavior, there are times where it can be a sign of a potential health issue.
For example, a dog suffering from allergy issues will often lick between their toes or show signs of itching skin, such as chewing. They may be allergic to a flea bite, airborne pollen, or dust.8
Lip licking is another indication of other health issues. It might mean your dog has an upset stomach. The same holds true if your dog licks the walls, the floor, part of your furniture, or any other type of odd place (including your ears, if that’s out of the norm for them). Excessive drool and lip smacking or licking are other indications of nausea. Contact your vet if your dog shows these signs, especially if they have a loss of appetite and vomiting.9
If your vet says there’s no health problem, yet you’re still concerned about your dog’s excessive licking, consider talking to a veterinary behaviorist.
Why Do Dogs Lick Your Ears?
My pit bull, Bunker, loves being the center of attention and works hard at achieving that status every chance he gets.
He enjoys playing fetch, simply being petted and licking people’s ears — especially my husband’s. I suppose part of the reason my husband is his “chosen one” is that he is much more willing to allow Bunker that sort of pleasure than I am.
I will go along with a little lick or two, but Doug will sit there as long as Bunker wants him to. I truly believe this is a way of bonding for the two of them, since it is done regularly.