When A Dog Licks You, It Could Mean Several Things!
Licking is no doubt one way for dogs to communicate. And like us, they have a lot to say. Their licking is just one of the ways they show us what they are feeling or what they want. Learn more about the reasons why our four-legged best buddies lick us!
They Love Us
One of the most common reasons dogs lick us is because they want to show their affection and love toward us. They lick other animals, too, to show their fondness for them. They lick us not just to love us, but also to comfort us when we are sad, join us in our happy moments, and give us the reassurance they are always there for us.
Licking Makes Them Feel Good
When dogs feel loved, they try to reciprocate that in the best way they know. Licking is among their means to tell you they love you. The mere feeling of being loved and loving us releases happy hormones. This makes them not just happy, but also calm, comforted, and relaxed.
Licking Grabs Your Attention
Your dog can do a lot of things just to get your attention. They may bark, pull your shirt, or place their paw on your lap. If all else fails, they would then use their secret weapon — their tongue.
You won’t be able to ignore the wet feeling of their tongue. By licking your hands or feet, they’ll surely be able to make you look their way.
They Want Something
Your dog grabs your attention through licking and there’s a reason for that. They might lick you to ask something from you. It could be that they are hungry or thirsty. They might want to play or simply want to spend more time with you.
Investigate Things
Your dog’s curiosity may lead them to investigate things. Observing and sniffing might not be enough. So, they lick it. By licking, they will not only know how things look and smell, but they will also know how they taste. The taste would then tell your dog more information about a particular object.
It is worth noting that your pooch’s tongue is filled with thousands of sensory cells. For them, licking is like touching something. They use this advantage to know more about the world around them. So, if your dog is licking you, it only shows how much they are interested in you to the point that it is not enough for them to know your smell or how you look, but also how you taste.
You Have Food In Your Hand
Dogs can’t resist good old food and if they are on your hand, arms, or legs, they would surely lick them off your skin. Even if the food is just inside your pocket, your dog would lick you just to have a taste of that food.
Licking Cleans You
Licking is a way for dogs to groom themselves. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a shower, but dogs would also like to groom you out of love and respect. Though we know how poor they might be in grooming us through their tongue, we just simply appreciate them for their acts of care.
They Want To Heal You
When your dog has a wound, they try to lick it in the hopes to take the pain away or hastening the healing process. They might also think the same way with your wound. If they see you have one, they might try to help you heal yourself through licking.
Of course, your dog might create more problems by licking. So, just be careful and tell your dog gently not to lick your open wound.
Final Thoughts
Your dog certainly has a lot of things to say to you that they are even using their tongue to show you their innermost feelings and desires. So, if your dog’s licking doesn’t bother you, then you might simply see that as part of your dog’s affection. But if it does bother you, then just let your dog know about it by ignoring them or gently telling them not to lick you.
If you want to know more, you can speak to your vet about this behavior or read more about it on the Internet, books, and other sources.
