All of us who have had the privilege of being loved by a dog have surely had a big, sloppy, wet "kiss" planted on us by our treasured pup. Some of us love doggy kisses, and others of us not so much. But whether you enjoy an affectionate lick from your dog or not, most of us wonder, “Why do dogs lick?”
Table of Contents
1. Why Do Dogs Lick?
IT’S PART OF WHO THEY ARE: Dogs learn to lick right at birth. The mama dog licks her puppies right away to clean them and help them to breathe properly. As she cares for them in the first few weeks, she licks them to help them learn bodily functions.
The mother dog also licks her puppies to bond with them. Licking keeps her puppies warm
, safe and comfortable. Mama licking her puppies also gives them her scent which helps them to feel secure. Licking also has the benefit of keeping her pups healthy. Her saliva has natural properties to help them to not get sick. It is how she gets their blood flow and digestion going and helps them grow.
Dogs are naturally lickers, because that is the way the mom dog keeps her puppies clean, loved, and healthy!
2. Why does My Dog Lick Me?
If a dog licks you, the main reason is they want your attention! It’s their main way to say hello, or like a human handshake greeting. For their favorite humans, licking is how they show the love they were taught by their mama, and giving kissing. It is their favorite way to show affection.
Dogs also lick people just for attention! They may want you to play a game of fetch with them or simply hang out and pet them. It’s a way for them to ask for some interaction. They also lick to get to know you better.
Licking is a way that dogs explore their world.
3. Do Dogs Lick to Taste?
Dogs do use licking to taste things! They don’t have hands like their attentive humans and so they use their tongues to explore and learn about the world around them. Licking helps dogs to feel and taste things.
Dogs lick to taste different smells or flavors. If they smell something interesting, they’ll, lick it to explore it more, just like we use our hands to touch and explore things.
Licking helps dogs learn more about their world and satisfy their curiosity!
4. Why Do Dogs Lick Themselves?
Just like mama taught them, even though they don’t lick as much as cats do, 
dogs do clean themselves by licking. They lick to clean the dirt and loose hair off their skin and fur. When dogs have a cut or a sore, they instinctively lick it to keep it clean.
Licking is also a way for dogs to calm themselves, especially when they feel stressed or unwell. That is why it is so important to watch your dog’s behavior to know what is their norm. If your pup is licking too much, and you’ve gotten a clean bill of health for them, try our BestLife4Pets Pet Relax Dog Calming Anxiety Relief formula which helps your dog to be calm.
5. Why Does My Dog Lick Their Paws?
Dogs naturally focus on their paws when grooming, unlike cats 
who try to get a whole body bath in each time they settle in to groom. If your dog is licking their paws more than normal, or if they are actually damaging their paws by licking too much, they may need your help to recover.
Some of the reasons dogs may be licking their paws too much may include:
- Skin allergies or dermatitis: If your dog is constantly licking their paws, along with itching and scratching, they may be battling a skin allergy or have dermatitis. Our BestLife4Pets Healthy Skin & Coat for Dogs re-energizes them while also getting rid of damaged layers to aid with healing. Will help to relieve itching, sores, and skin irritation while promoting deep healing and fur regrowth.
- Food allergies: did you know that some dogs are sensitive or even allergic to ingredients found in most dog foods? Frequent itching and biting of paws paired with stomach upset is a sign of food allergies and intolerances. While it is important to get to the root cause to truly heal, our Healthy Skin & Coat for Dogs is also helpful to bring them comfort and healing.
- An Injury: There are many things that can cause a hurt paw: stepping on a bee or a thorn, glass or even just hot pavement. If you notice your dog suddenly licking or biting at just one paw, take a look to see how you can help him feel better.
- Stress or Boredom: Chewing in general is a sign of stress or boredom in dogs, but if their behaviors are needing to be calmed down, try BestLife4Pets Pet Relax homeopathic Calming Anxiety Relief formula to keep your dog calm, reducing not just too much paw licking and chewing, but also other stress-related behaviors like cowering, urinating or chewing on your stuff. It also helps with separation anxiety, stress and fear.
The next time your dog plants a long sloppy kiss on you after a busy day, remember, although there are many reasons why dogs lick, this time, it just means, “HI! I love you & I’ve missed you!”
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