Top 5 Reasons Why Dogs Love to Lick Their Owners

Many pet owners interpret a dog's licking as a sign of affection, but it's not just about love. There are other meanings behind this behavior, some of which might even be negative emotional signals: anxiety, boredom, fear, or even a symptom of illness.

Care/ Affection/ Understanding

When you come home after being away for a while, your dog dashes to greet you with a joyful wagging tail and a lick, expressing: "I'm so glad you're back! I've been waiting for you! Hugs and kisses! Then, by licking your hands and feet, it gathers important information: Where have you been today, and what have you been eating behind my back? In a dog's vocabulary, licking is a sign of care and affection.

Anxiety

When you catch your dog destroying things or sneaking snacks, and you immediately stop it, the dog might lower its ears or flatten them, and then lick its nose. This behavior indicates anxiety and fear, and some dogs might even bare their teeth, feeling threatened: "The owner is about to punish me."

Seeking Help

When a dog can't reach something it loves or wants your company, it might come to you for a lick or sit down and lick its nose. This is a signal for you to play with it or give it what it desires. In some cases, when a dog needs space, it might also lick you, asking you to make room for it.

Cleaning

When a dog licks its own body or another species' body, it's often for cleaning purposes. Just like a mother dog licks her newborn puppies to clean and groom them, so if your dog licks you, it might be because you're dirty and smelly.

Food Flavor

There have been reports that wild canids' puppies will lick their mothers' faces and snouts after seeing them return from hunting, as there's a scent of food. So, sometimes your dog might keep licking you because your hands smell of something delicious, or it might be trying to get you to give it treats. In some cases, dogs may lick your hand because they want food, hoping to beg for snacks.

Itching Issues

If a dog licks a particular part of its body for a long time, such as its skin or anus, it's important to be cautious. This might indicate skin fungus or a skin issue like fleas, and you should check its fur. Additionally, excessive licking of the anus might suggest a problem with the anal glands, which contain a sticky, smelly liquid used to mark territory and deter predators. Most dogs release a small amount of this liquid during defecation, but when it accumulates in the anal glands, it can harm the dog.

Pain

When a dog is injured, it might try to lick the wound to alleviate pain. Licking wounds is an instinctive behavior in many animals, as the dog's saliva contains some beneficial substances that can help promote healing. However, this action can also potentially reopen the wound.