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Why do dogs lick your feet? That’s what they want to tell you

Why do dogs lick your feet? That’s what they want to tell you

Puppy kisses can be a sweet token of love from your dog, but only if you don’t think about it too long – the dog’s mouth contains more than 600 different types of bacteria.

We certainly don’t walk up to other people and lick their chins to tell them we love them, but there are many things about dogs that are different from people. Dogs, for example, have a much better sense of smell and hearing.

Have you ever wondered what your dog is trying to tell you when he licks you, himself, or random household objects? Here’s what an expert had to say.

Why do dogs lick your feet?

When dogs lick your feet or hands, it’s because they’re curious – they’re trying to get more information from you. Although they have fewer taste buds than humans, their tongues are still powerful tools for exploring and understanding their surroundings. Licking a body part with lots of scent glands helps them understand you, says Dr. Rebecca Greeinstein, veterinary consultant at Rover.

It’s also a sign of affection: “It’s a completely normal part of the way they communicate and bond with us,” says Greenstein.

Every person has a characteristic scent. It is influenced by several biological factors – your health, cleanliness and whether you have a pet, to name a few.

“All of these things together give a dog information,” Greenstein says. “Some individuals are extremely fascinating to dogs, and sometimes they say, ‘No, I’m not interested’.”

So it is a completely normal and even healthy sign of the bond between humans and dogs. There is no reason to worry.

However, if your dog is compulsively licking other things such as table surfaces, carpets, or himself, there may be cause for concern. Compulsive surface licking may be a sign that dental disease or digestive problems need relief and is a reason to see the veterinarian.

Why do dogs lick their paws?

Dogs regularly lick their paws to groom themselves or to remove dirt and debris. However, if your dog is licking his paws excessively, he may be trying to tell you that something is wrong. Here are the most common reasons:

Physical illness

If your dog has something stuck in his paws or it’s irritating him, he’ll often express that discomfort by licking to reassure or warn you so you can help him get it out.

It could also be a sign of mites, which are particularly common in younger dogs and live in and around the feet. If your dog has mites, it will appear red and itchy and hair loss may occur.

Greenstein recommends thoroughly inspecting your dog’s paw to look for grit, cuts, scratches, swollen areas, discharge, blood or unusual odors that could be a sign of infection.

But physical discomfort isn’t the only cause of paw licking; In fact, they’re not even the most common: “I find in my practice that people often overestimate the idea that something has to be physically in the paw, rather than considering other things that might be going on,” says Greenstein .

Allergies

If you’ve examined your dog’s paw and can’t see anything, it may be another common but surprising cause – underlying allergies. Excessive licking and licking multiple paws can indicate this, says Greenstein.

The allergy can be environmental, such as pollen or dust, or a food intolerance.

“You don’t necessarily have to have physical contact with the (allergen and the) paw for it to be a sign of allergy, and that’s why most pet parents don’t make that connection,” says Greenstein.

Behave

Paw licking is also a self-soothing behavior – it feels good for the dog and can become a habit or an anxious compulsion. Dogs can suffer from anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (so-called canine obsessive-compulsive disorder), which can manifest itself in paw licking.

This habit can be worrisome if your pet’s licking damages its fur or breaks its skin. This is a sign that it is time to see a veterinarian.

“Before we scold our pets for licking too much, let’s first determine whether there is a medical basis for it. “It may be that we need to take advantage of the opportunity to reduce the frequency and severity of self-trauma,” says Greenstein.

Common methods include the infamous “cone of shame,” or dog boots that cover the paw. It is also helpful to direct your pet’s attention to licking something else, such as a toy, lick pad, or “sniff mat,” which provides an interesting sensory experience for your dog.

When should I worry about my dog ​​licking his paws?

It depends on the severity and frequency, says Greenstein. You can start by examining the paw to determine if it is just a stuck pine needle or thorn.

“If you notice that they are constantly licking, the skin is cracking, swelling is occurring, all of their feet are affected, or they are itching or limping in other places, just to name a few – then it is time for a trip to your family’s veterinarian,” says Greenstein.

A visit to the vet can help with diagnosis and treatment. It’s also important to avoid infections, which dogs aggravate by licking them to relieve pain and itching.

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