Whether you love it or hate it, dogs tend to lick us. Did you ever stop to consider the reason behind their wet smooches? A dog’s lick enhances their sense of smell, so licking could mean several things! We dug up a few possible reasons why our furry friends might lick us.
- Love
First and foremost, a dog’s lick could just be a means of affection. They learned this behaviour very early as their mother would lick them as a form of grooming or love. - Taste
No need to break out in sweat because your dog wants a “taste” of you. You simply are (weirdly) just full of different flavours. They use their tongue as a detective to see what you’ve been up to during the day. Dogs are interested in the people you met, the animals you may have encountered, or simply because you have sweat glands on different parts of your body and that salty taste is delicious for them! - Reaction
If your dog is bored, they may lick you because they know they’ll get a reaction from you. Laughing, yelling, or running away can make them want to lick you all that more. - Anxiety
Dogs might seek to comfort themselves by licking people or surfaces. If your dog’s licking seems more compulsive and you think it’s because of stress, it’s best to seek veterinarian attention.
