Why do dogs lick feet?
Whether it’s chasing their tails, shrieking at sirens, rolling about in the grass, or kissing us all over, our furry pets engage in some very bizarre and endearing behaviours. There are many dog owners who wonder why their canine companions have a peculiar predilection for licking their feet. Slobbering on human toes may be revolting to us, but dogs appear to find great joy in the practise.
Why do dogs lick feet?
There are several hypotheses as to why canines drool on human toes, but we may never know the true reason. Learn why your dog licks his or her feet by reading this article, and you’ll probably have figured out what it is about paws that makes your pet happy.
For whatever reason, licking one’s feet is a common canine pastime. Dogs may find it strange that we allow them to lick our feet, but for them, this is a significant bonding ritual, a relaxing activity, and it may even be pleasant. Now, let’s investigate the causes of this canine behaviour.
It’s a social exercise
Your dog may lick your feet for one of two social reasons. The first is that a dog’s act of licking your feet is a sign of affection for you. Puppy kisses are a common term for when canines lick their human companions to express their love. These slobbery kisses from dogs are typically directed towards our faces, hands, and feet. Some puppies and toy dogs’ reach may end at your feet. Licking and grooming members of the family are ways that dogs show affection and foster closeness.
Also, your dog is demonstrating his or her respect for you by licking your feet and pointing its tongue at your feet. Your dog might be showing submission to a dominant dog by licking your feet since he or she has learned that this behaviour works. The combination of keeping a low profile and licking you is like a double punch of “I respect you”
They’re looking after you
A mother dog will lick her puppies to help them stay clean, show them affection, and stimulate them to eliminate waste. As canine saliva aids in cleansing the wound, warding off infection, and speeding the healing process, it is not uncommon for adult dogs to lick their own or each other’s wounds. It’s also a nice way to offer their buddies some affection when they’re not feeling well.
Many people, including humans, believe that getting licked by a dog would make you feel better. In ancient Greece, for example, the holy dogs at temples dedicated to the god of healing were believed to be able to cure sick people by licking them.
If you’re sick, your dog may lick you to help you feel better, and if you’ve gotten hurt, they’ll lick your wounds to attempt to clean them. Their rationale is that they are providing assistance. It’s likely that they’re also attempting to reassure you.
Maybe your feet taste and smell tasty
The smell and taste of your sweaty feet might be attractive to your dog, and we all know that dogs will roll in and eat just about anything. Whether it’s the salt from your perspiration or some crumbs from the kitchen floor, your dog can smell and taste everything you’ve trodden in, and he or she probably thinks it’s delicious.
If your dog has a strange obsession with licking your sweaty feet or arms, it might be because of the salty flavour, or it could be a sign of a mineral deficit. Most likely, though, they just enjoy the way it tastes!
They’re just a bit licky
Some canines have a far higher propensity for licking than others. Maybe, your dog is just licky, and your feet are well located for slobbering.
They want something
A puppy licking your feet is pretty much impossible to ignore. Your dog may have figured out that licking your feet is an easy method to get what they want or get your attention. Generally, a dog will first try to communicate with you by staring at you; if that doesn’t work, they’ll resort to pawing at your arm, booping their nose against your thigh, or licking your hands and feet to grab your attention.
You might have reinforced the behaviour
Because of the correlation with the idea that dogs kiss your feet to show their appreciation for human attention. Perhaps you winced and scolded your dog the last time he or she licked your foot, or maybe you laughed as he or she licked your tickly toes and got a fuss from you. If you’re paying attention to your dog, good or bad, it won’t be long before your pet learns that doing so is rewarded. They only want your attention, and licking seems like a terrific way to accomplish that.
Furthermore, if you are ticklish, your dog may have misunderstood your laughing as approval of them licking your feet because of the good emotional response of giggling. They may have found it amusing to watch as you wiggled your ticklish feet about and maybe considered it a game.
Most of the time, when a dog licks you, your first reaction is to coo and pet the dog, as if the dog is loving you or showing its undying devotion to you by giving you a good lick. They will learn that licking your feet equals getting a fuss, and will do it more frequently in the hopes of receiving one.
Licking for stress release
When a dog licks an object, endorphins (a hormone that reduces pain and tension) are released into the dog’s system. Licking is a self-soothing behaviour, therefore if your dog licks a lot, it might be your feet, their feet, their toys, or even the floor.
Your dog may lick its feet as a means of relieving tension after experiencing something frightening, such as fireworks or your absence over the weekend.
Constant licking may be an indication that your dog is feeling anxious or uncomfortable, as licking may help alleviate both of these conditions. If the behaviour persists or if they exhibit discomfort or disease symptoms, a veterinary examination should be scheduled to rule out any underlying causes.
It can be a compulsive or obsessive behaviour
There may be a compulsive behaviour at play if your dog licks your feet repeatedly and for long periods of time. Some dogs have an almost compulsive desire to lick, and they could choose to do it on your feet or someplace else.
There are a number of canine habits that repeat themselves, and “excessive surface licking” is one of them. It’s important to go to your vet and maybe a behaviourist to figure out what’s up with your dog’s odd behaviour, as it might stem from anything from a physical illness to a mental disease.
Why does my dog lick my feet when I get out the shower?
This may seem unusually particular, yet it occurs frequently. Wet feet, or feet that have been moisturised in any way (e.g., with lotion), are a popular target for a dog’s tongue. Your dog may be curious about what you used to wash your feet because it has a pleasant scent or tastes good to them. (After all, canines learn a lot about the world through their noses and jaws.)
You’ll undoubtedly have a new scent after a shower. It’s possible that your dog is licking you after you’ve showered so that it may detect his or her familiar scent among the fragrance of the shower gel. After a wash, dogs often rub themselves all over the floor to redistribute their body odour, so it stands to reason that they may do the same thing to your feet.
Should I stop my dog licking my feet?
Licking is a common canine behaviour, and while it may seem odd, licking one’s feet is just as common. Most dogs like licking feet just as much as humans do, so there’s usually no need to discourage the behaviour unless it’s becoming obsessive or really bothersome.
Use positive reinforcement and redirection to teach your dog a new behaviour, such as lying down or playing with a toy, instead of licking your feet. To prevent your dog from licking your feet to seek your attention, you should reinforce the new behaviour with a large treat and lots of attention and praise.
If your dog’s foot licking seems to be becoming an obsessive habit, you should try redirecting the behaviour. Nevertheless, if you are having difficulties stopping your dog from licking his or her feet obsessively, you should seek expert advice from your veterinarian and a canine behaviourist to make sure there is no underlying disease and to address the problem behaviour.