17
May
Dogs lick food bowls other dogs and even themselves but why do they lick our feet. Dogs who lick their paws excessively often develop swelling and stains on the fur of their feet if they are light-colored.
Dogs may also lick their rear end and thighs.
Why do dogs lick feet excessively. Below are some common reasons why your dog licks your feet. One of the most common reasons why dogs lick feet is to show submissiveness. In a canines world this means that you are the boss and it likes it that way.
Being the master the pooch just reaffirms its social order below you showing submission when licking your feet. Moreover a scientific study showed. Dogs who lick their paws excessively often develop swelling and stains on the fur of their feet if they are light-colored.
Sometimes excessive licking may cause moisture to become trapped between the dogs toes creating an ideal setting for an opportunistic infection. Once inflammation or an infection sets in a vicious cycle can form. For dogs that are intent on licking chewing or scratching themselves only the cause may be easier to find.
There are six major causes of why your dog may obsessively lick 3. Allergies boredom dry skin hormonal imbalance pain and parasites. Sometimes dogs will lick their feet or joints because they are stiff and sore just as we might rub a sore patch.
Boredom and stress can also cause your dog to lick and bite their front paws out of frustration which can then become habit. Excessive licking is the compulsive licking of any surface for a period of time which is longer than is needed for exploratory or investigative purposes. Dogs can also have behavioral causes of excessive licking such as anxiety or a type of obsessive disorder where they over-groom themselves.
Some studies have shown that the act of licking increases endorphins in the brain which calms the dog while it is licking. Loud noises separation anxiety andor change in environment can lead to this behavior. 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.
The most common cause of excessive licking in dogs is allergies. You may notice your dog licking in between their toes. Sometimes this causes stains on the fur due to enzymes in your dogs saliva.
Dogs may also lick their rear end and thighs. If your dog has allergies they could have itchy skin. The itching causes dogs to lick their skin.
Some dogs who are fed commerical dog foods develop allergies which cause skin irritations and of course excessive licking and scratching. Feeding your dog a natural wholesome diet free of artificial flavors and colors with supplements added. The unsightly stains found on the paws and legs of light -coat colored dogs is due to excessive licking because of porphyrin pigments found in a dogs saliva.
Dogs lick themselves for lots of reasons. Sometimes its a result of being anxious stressed or bored. Dogs with separation anxiety may lick themselves because the behavior releases soothing endorphins that help the dog feel calm.
Conflicts with other animals or changes in household routine may also cause stress-relief licking. Some dogs lick their paws because they dont have. Dogs lick food bowls other dogs and even themselves but why do they lick our feet.
Before you decide to eliminate this behavior you should know why your dog is doing it first. One of the main reasons a dog will lick a persons feet is to indicate their submissiveness to their master. Why Do Dogs Lick Our Feet.
Dogs can lick feet as a way to get attention. If you always look at or talk to your dog when he licks your feet you are reinforcing this particular behavior. Some dogs may be more attracted to feet because they smell.
When our feet are encased in leather plastic or cloth they get warm and sweaty. Dogs may be attracted to the odor since it smells different from the rest of the. Dogs have sensitive digestive systems and licking may be an indicator of nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort.
Many dogs have an intolerance to grains starches and soy. They can even be negatively affected by the diet of the chicken or beef in their dog food. Potential medical causes for licking include allergies that cause the skin or paws to itch.
Infections from bacteria fungus or parasites can also cause itchiness and therefore lead to excessive licking. Underlying pain from an injury or arthritis can cause dogs to lick similar to when a person rubs a sore muscle or joint.