Dog lick is it normal

Even so, there are some scenarios when you might want to head off a slobber fest from your pup. But sometimes licking is a symptom of a more serious problem. If your dog is licking themselves, you, or objects excessively, to the point that it seems like a self-stimulatory behavior, this might be a sign of anxiety , boredom, or pain.

Obsessive self-licking can also be a sign of allergies or other health problems. If your dog is self-licking excessively, start by having your veterinarian check them out and address any medical problems or discomfort. A good option is to choose a behavior that is incompatible with licking, such as using an interactive puzzle to get a treat. You can also have the dog engage in other behaviors such as ball play or trick training.

Trick training , in particular, is a good way to turn a repeated undesirable behavior into an opportunity for positive reinforcement. Start by simply having the dog sit, which might stop the licking on its own, then reward the behavior with a treat.

Or to speak on cue? Other tricks to practice could include sitting up, army crawling, or leg weaving. It is not healthy, however, to allow your dog to lick an open wound on your skin.

Their saliva may continue to keep the wound moist and open and allow bacteria to thrive, leading to a potential skin infection. In those cases, the bacteria Capnocytophaga canimorsus was the culprit. This particular bacteria is found in both dogs and cats and is harmless to them.

However, in cases where an individual has a compromised immune system, there is potential for the bacteria to cause an infection. The bacteria has to enter the skin through an open wound, such as from a bite or a cut on the skin. Typically the dog has to have a high concentration of that particular bacteria, and their saliva has to come into contact with the open wound.

It is best practice to wash your hands after petting any dog. For most healthy people, a dog licking faces or other body parts should pose minimal health risk.

If you are concerned, then do not let dogs lick your mouth or anywhere near an open skin wound. This is the most common reason why your best friend likes to lick you and your neighbor. Affectionate licking causes the release of endorphins that not only provide pleasure but also calm and comfort your dog. You might not think that your dog is as concerned with hygiene as your cat, but dogs often engage in licking to clean themselves. However, be aware if your dog seems to be excessively licking his anal area , as this may indicate a problem with the anal glands.

Dog saliva contains bacteria-killing enzymes. Cookie Consent Tool. Belgium - Belgique. Brazil - Brasil. Canada English. Costa Rica. Croatia - Hrvatska. Denmark - Danmark. Finland - Suomi. France - France. Germany - Deutschland. Greater China - Taiwan. Italy - Italia. Latvia - Latvija. Malaysia Bahasa. Netherlands - Nederland. New Zealand. Norway - Norge. Philippines English. Poland - Polska.