Why Does My Dog Lick Me?

Why does my dog lick me? All dogs love to lick, and so often, it’s a sign of love and affection. Licking is a perfectly natural behavior of your beloved furry friend. But if you’re worried that excessive licking might be a warning sign that Fido might be struggling with a potential health issue, here are five reasons your dog licks you.

1. Showing affection toward their person or their animal sibling: If your pup loves to lick you or another animal in your house, this is more than likely behavioral. It is their most-preferred way to express that they love you and might even be attempting to soothe you the way his mother soothed him when he was a puppy. 
2. Liking the taste: Your dog might be excessively licking you because they like the way you taste. Consider their timing. Do they lick you after you’ve cooked something or touched a slice of deli meat? 
3. Saying Hello: Sometimes, dogs lick people as a form of communication. If they lick you when you first arrive home from work, they may be telling you that they are happy to see you. If your attention is wrapped up by something else, they might be trying to get your attention. Just as well, dogs lick people when they are feeling anxious or bored. So if you’re getting a few extra slobber kisses, try showing your pup some extra love. 
4. Allergies or Skin Conditions: If your dog is licking themselves more than usual, it might be time to seek out the opinion of your vet. Oftentimes, this could be a warning sign that Fido’s skin is irritated, or they’re suffering from an allergy, dermatitis, or even a possible thyroid issue. If their licking habits seem abnormal or more often than usual, it might be a possible sign of a medical issue. 
5. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Did you know that dogs are capable of suffering from OCD? Oftentimes, an obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs can manifest as a compulsive licking habit. They might spend hours licking you, the floor, or themselves. OCD in dogs might also be a sign of the presence of another underlying behavioral issue, such as anxiety or over-reactiveness.

Most often, licking is a sign of love and affection from the furriest members of your family, but if something seems out of the ordinary, it is always best to seek the opinion of your vet or dog trainer. If the behavior is not obsessive or disruptive, then it might just be Fido communicating how much he loves you, and there is no love quite like the love between a human and their pup.