Why does my dog lick my kitten’s bum?
Dogs often greet each other by sniffing their hindquarters. This is because the scent glands located there give off a lot of information about the health, gender, and even age of the other animal. The same is true with cats. Many dogs limit their behavior to merely sniffing, but others will lick. This behavior is done for one of three reasons.
Earlier we mentioned the presence of scent glands within a dog’s mouth. Have you ever noticed a dog making a chuffing sound with his nostrils flaring slightly immediately after licking something? This is him taking in the scent and gathering information from it.
Much in the way a dog can smell changes in human physiology, it can also do so with a cat. Your dog is making sure the cat smells the same as it always does or if there is something to be concerned about.
Another reason is a lot less pleasant. Some dogs like to eat cat droppings. This is because they contain protein and other things your dog may find appetizing. By licking your cat’s bum, the dog gets a fresher taste of what he considers a treat.
Your dog could also be exhibiting its natural maternal instinct. Both dog and cat mothers need to stimulate the bowels of newborns and your dog may still believe the kitten needs this done. Your dog could also be cleaning the kitten as a mother would.
Why does my dog lick my kitten?
Dogs use all their senses when trying to get information about something. When a new kitten comes into the household, your dog may want to find out what this creature is, especially if it’s never been around a cat before.
Dogs have scent glands inside their mouths and they can lick something and then “smell” it. This allows the dog to get a taste of the kitten to make sure it isn’t food and it gains sensory information from the scent.
Another reason your dog may lick the kitten is that the smaller animal has awakened a mothering instinct within. This is not limited to female dogs. Some male dogs also have a strong parental instinct. Licking is their way of cleaning the kitten and grooming it.
Some dogs who have strong mothering instincts will also carry the kitten around like it is a puppy. As long as your kitten doesn’t mind, there is no need to stop the behavior. As your cat grows, it will let the dog know when it is no longer tolerant of either the licking or the carrying.
A third reason the dog may lick the kitten is to show its acceptance into the pack. Your dog is giving the kitten the message that it now belongs there and will have your dog’s protection. Kittens aren’t the only animals that may be subject to this licking behavior. Some dogs have been known to lick pet rats, rabbits, and other small animals that will tolerate the behavior.
Potential Motivations Behind The Behavior
Overall, when cats and dogs face each other in the same space, things may be a bit awkward at first. In fact, its highly likely that the pets would turn aggressive so people have to keep watch over them. With that said, as time passes by, it seems that your puppy has taken a liking to your kitten which brings peace to the house. On occasions, the canine casually licks all over the face of the feline without reservation. What does it mean when a dog licks a cat? Well, experts have a couple of theories about that behavior.
Most dogs lick as a response to positive reinforcements (treats, praises and so on) from humans as well as animals. Hence, if you call your dog a good boy when it licks you, the canine is going to lick you again and again and again. The same rule applies to cats: if the feline reacts positively while being licked by your dog, the canine shall repeat it in the future. If puppies frequently lick kittens, the canines must have a good impression of the felines. Through the act of licking, your dog wants to show its affection toward your cat.
Compared to humans, dogs have a superior sense of smell which lets them detect scents from a distance without difficulty. When the nose of dogs picks up a smell that piques their interest, they would attempt to taste the thing that emits it as well. As a result, in the case your puppy licks your kitten repeatedly, smells might be responsible for such behavior. Furthermore, assuming that the canine is truly fond of the feline, your dog could decide to lick everything that carries the scents of your cat.
In the wild, cats and dogs live in packs so its understandable that the pets retain certain pack behaviors even after going through domestication. To dogs, licking is a way to show submission toward ones that they consider to be their superiors including fellow dogs, humans and other animals. Because of that, if you notice your dog licking your cat, the canine may want to say that it sees the feline as its superior. Of course, its also possible the dog needs something that the cat currently possesses.
Similar to cats, dogs also groom their bodies in addition to ones that they hold dear from humans to animals. Therefore, if your puppy licks your kitten, the canine must consider the feline to be a member of its family. Considering the fact that cats happen to be avid groomers, they usually return the favor by licking the dog back. Generally speaking, submissive pets tend to be at the receiving end in a grooming session but its worth noting that different houses have different situations.
Why does my cat LICK ME? – 6 COMMON REASONS
If you have a dog and a cat, you’ve probably witnessed some interesting interactions between them over the years. However, if you recently saw your dog lick your cat, you may be left with some questions. Why does my dog lick my cat? Should I let my dog keep licking my cat? Want to find out what is going on if your dog is licking your cat? Then keep reading, and I’ll try to explain what could be happening.