Should you let your dog kiss your face?
It’s something lots of us do—when our dogs want to give us a slobbery greeting, we bend down and let them cover us with wet kisses. But this is not healthy for you or your dog. For instance, a study in Japan showed that gum disease-causing bacteria can be transferred from dogs to humans and vice versa from those kisses.*
Dogs also tend to put their noses in some rather yucky places, like the garbage can or things they find along the side of the road. Plus, they lick and eat things you wouldnt dream of putting near your mouth, such as rotten food or dog poop. This means those kisses could put you at risk for getting sick.
When asked if you should let your dog lick your child’s face, our veterinary expert Dr. Mary Beth Leininger said, “The short answer…no.” She went on to explain, “Because dogs frequently lick around the anus, they can harbor parasite eggs in the saliva.”+ These parasites along with bacteria or viruses can be passed to humans through those loving kisses.
It’s also a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water if you end up with a handful of dog kisses. This can help prevent transferring bad microscopic stuff from your hands to your face and mouth.
Did you know that ASPCA Pet Health Insurance covers diagnosis and treatment for behavioral conditions? Get a free quote to learn more.
Is your dog always rewarding you with slobbery kisses for no apparent reason? Find out why dogs like to lick things.
Does your dog offer slobbery wet kisses left and right? Whether you are delighted, annoyed or slightly worried, you surely have the same burning question on your mind: why do dogs lick everything in sight?
There are lots of reasons why a dog licks you – it could be to show you affection or get your attention. It can also be a sign of stress and anxiety. Dog licking might seem simple but it is such a complex behaviour with so many different meanings. And if you’re worried that your dog is licking you (or themselves) too much, it’s worth consulting a vet to see if there is an underlying condition.
We all wish we could have a decent conversation with our dog companion. Since words are not an option for your pup, they had to figure out a different way to communicate feelings to you.
The slobbery dog kiss is just their way to show affection and brighten up your day. When your dog licks you, it’s their way of saying how much you mean to them.
If you’ve always rewarded your dog’s affectionate licking with attention, don’t be surprised if this ends up being the go-to move whenever your pup wants your eyes on them. This is just your dog saying ‘I love you, but there is something I need from you’. And because it’s not always obvious why dogs lick, you will usually need to investigate the behaviour further. Maybe the water bowl is empty, or they are hungry and want some treats. Solve the mystery and your dog will reward you with copious amounts of tail wagging.
If your dog starts licking excessively, this could also point to stress or anxiety. Loud noises, moving house or separation anxiety can cause pups enough stress to look for ways to soothe themselves.
The act of licking releases endorphins which help the dog calm down in stressful situations. If you’ve ever wondered why dogs lick feet, one of the reasons is that their environment has just become unstable for some reason and they are looking for comfort.
So if you see your dog grooming or licking you more than usual, look for ways to get their mind off their troubles. Go for a walk together, spend some quality time playing with a favourite toy or treat them to a nice meal full of tasty things they adore. If this doesn’t help, consider a visit to the vet for a treatment plan.
Dogs lick their feet in an attempt to resolve skin problems too. These might be allergies or wounds that need your attention, as excessive licking can sometimes cause even more harm. Red raw spots or missing fur are some of the tell-tale signs to be aware of. If licking becomes the norm, don’t wait long before taking them to the vet.
Some dog owners have watched their canine companions lick pretty much every surface in the house. If you are asking yourself why does my dog lick everything in sight, you might be surprised to find out that this strange behaviour is actually a condition called ‘pica’ that makes dogs crave non-food items. If their diet is lacking nutrients this might be enough to send your pup looking for them in the least obvious places, and sometimes it is simply behavioural.
A visit to the vet will be enough to establish if the missing nutrient is due to their diet or to a parasite and what treatment is more appropriate to help your dog stop licking everything.
Repetitive behaviours such as licking can also point to neurological disorders. Cognitive dysfunction in dogs is a condition similar to dementia in people and one of the first symptoms is excessive licking. Whether a particular spot on their body, the floor or a wall, the reason why your dog is licking more than usual might be a sign for this serious condition. Make sure you check if there are other symptoms accompanying this behaviour and arrange a visit to the vet to come up with a treatment plan.
Hot Spots
Hot spots are painful, inflamed red spots that form on your dogs skin when moisture gets trapped in their fur. Because theyre painful and itchy, hot spots can cause your dog to lick the spot obsessively. But because theyre caused by excess moisture, obsessive licking can also lead to hot spots.
Your vet can prescribe medication to treat existing hot spots, but youll also need to determine whether the hot spot caused the licking or the licking caused the hot spot. If your dog doesnt stop licking themselves after the hot spot clears up, work with your vet or an animal behaviorist to address their licking behavior and prevent recurrent hot spots.
Why does my dog lick everything so much?
No two dogs are the same, and yet all dogs share some universal canine behaviors. To some degree, dogs cannot help doing certain things that seemingly defy human logic. Repetitive behaviors, including obsessive licking, can interrupt a dog’s sense of wellbeing. If your dog licks everything in sight, you might oscillate between wonder, curiosity, irritation, and confusion. Because of their individuality, their behavior is unique to them. But there are definitely ways you can address this canine trait before it gets out of hand.