A dog’s tongue is a funny thing since you may expect to find it even in the most inhospitable or disgusting areas on the earth. Do you remember how your parents admonish you for putting anything in your mouth when you were a child? Dogs continue to do this even as adults, and after licking some fairly disgusting things, they come up to you and give you kisses, lick your hands or legs, and so on. Now, whether or not you let it do so is up to you, but you’ve definitely questioned why he’s licking your legs, right?
Also, feeling a warm, slobbery dog tongue slip across your bare feet is sure to catch your attention faster than most things. If your dog is licking your legs and feet, you might be wondering why they’re doing it. It could be a one-time jolt or a frequent and bothersome habit.
Why do Dogs Lick Your Legs and Feet?
Dogs may lick your legs to attract your attention, express their emotions, gather information about you or where you’ve been, or just because they prefer the taste. If your dog is constantly licking your legs, there are a few fairly simple techniques you may use to stop it.
It’s important to note that we’re talking about licking behavior here, not the nibbling with the front teeth.
1. Endorphins Are Released
Dogs have a “feel good” sensation when they lick. Endorphins, a hormone produced and released by their brains, provide them with a sense of pleasure and contentment. Similarly, after a tough workout, our brains release the same neurotransmitter, which causes bliss. Maybe the next time your dog licks, it’ll be in a good mood.
2. You’re Being Groomed
When you just get out of the shower, your dog will occasionally groom you by licking your legs to keep them clean and dry. Canines lick themselves to keep clean, therefore it’s in their nature. It feels obligated to clean you up since you are its human.
3. There are Crumbs of Food on Your Feet
Look, your beloved pet can almost smell kibbles from a mile away. Simple food crumbs that you may not realize are on your legs may be detected by your dog’s cute snout, prompting it to lick them.
4. You’re Needed for Something
It could be attempting to communicate with you that you are required for something. As previously stated, licking is just another way for dogs to communicate, therefore they lick or even paw at you to get their point through. Your pet could be indicating that it’s hungry or needs to go pee. If its request isn’t granted, it’ll usually respond with occasional whimpering or those ridiculously gorgeous puppy-dog eyes that we can’t get enough of.
5. Like How your Leg Tastes
Another reason could be your dog’s preference for your flavor. Is it possible that you just finished working out or that you are sweating? Sweat and oil produced by our bodies are quite salty. Your dog most likely enjoys the taste and consequently licks your legs.
6. To Get Your Attention
Dogs will occasionally lick your legs in the hopes of eliciting a response from you. You may pet your dog, play with it, give it a treat, or just laugh with it. All of these responses will only motivate it to do it again. Classic conditioning is a type of training that is used in this procedure. Dogs learn to correlate their licking with your response, and this behaviour is created as a result.
7. For Affection
Your fluffy companion is licking your leg because it adores you. Your leg is most likely the only available piece of skin with which it can interact at the time. It’ll absolutely do it if it’s capable of licking your face. Dogs are among the most devoted creatures on the planet, and their devotion is genuinely unconditional.
Conclusion: Frequently Asked Questions
We’ll answer a few frequent questions that most dog owners have about the act of licking in this section:
Is It Okay If My Dog Licks My Feet?
Yes, indeed. Licking is a natural dog habit. They utilize it to groom themselves, communicate, and find comfort. If your dog kisses your feet, it’s most likely a sign of affection and thanks. Or they’re simply being amusing and trying to catch your attention.
Should I Let My Dog Lick My Legs?
Well, it depends on you!! But we would suggest you to use positive reinforcement tactics to gradually change their behavior if you are uncomfortable or ticklish near your feet. There’s no reason to stop your dog from licking your legs otherwise. Just make sure you wash your feet and legs properly every time you go home.
When Should I Be Concerned About My Dog’s Licking?
It’s a matter of concern if your dog’s habit of licking becomes obsessive and jeopardizes his or her quality of life. In such circumstances, consulting your veterinarian and determining what is causing the abrupt start of compulsive licking is the best option.
As you can see, your dog licks your legs for a myriad of purposes. You’ll need to pay close attention to him to figure out which of the following scenarios applies to your dog. If it irritates you, you can easily move away with those legs and break its licking habit.
About Author: Jesse is a seasoned writer who loves reading insightful and helpful pet health blogs. She mainly wants to share her knowledge and experiences in the field with people who are thinking about adopting animals, as well as educate them with helpful pet care tips through her blogs & articles. You can connect with Jesse on Twitter.
