Got A Dog Licking You To Death? Here’s Why
Whether you've just adopted them or had them for years - you're most likely used to your dog licking you! So if you've ever wondered why, here are all the reasons behind this endearing behavior - and where you should be careful.
You might’ve guessed that affection or demanding attention might have something to do with it – and you’re right! But as it turns out, the reasons why dogs licks can vary quite a bit, from benign to more concerning reasons. (Like health issues – especially if you’ve got a dog excessively licking themselves!)
And if you take it from us, you also want to ensure that your dog licking you doesn’t create a hygiene issue – especially if you don’t know where they’ve been. (Which is where keeping tabs of their favorite hangout spots can come in handy.)
So if you’re getting assaulted with a flurry of dog kisses – here are all the reasons why and what it might signal about your buddy’s behavior. Let’s get started.
Why do dogs lick in general?
Dogs lick their favorite humans and friends for a number of reasons – though the exact reasons may vary for each dog, of course. But primarily, licking is a form of communication for them. In fact, just like puppies lick their mothers for food and comfort, so might adult dogs do so to express their needs, demand attention, hugs, or food, or signal how they’re feeling.
For example, your dog might lick you to say:
- “I like you,”
- “I’m feeling nervous,”
- “Gimme attention!”
- or, of course, “I’m hungry!”
Is it okay to let my dog lick me?
Absolutely – but we do want to highlight the hygiene aspect of things as well. Because as it turns out, coming in contact with your dog’s saliva1 can increase your risk of picking up:
- Harmful germs and bacteria that your dog might come in contact with both indoors and outdoors. (Which can spread to you via any cuts or scrapes in your skin.)
- An allergy, since some people might also be allergic to dogs’ saliva. Which – weirdly enough – also spreads through the air as your dog licks their fur.
- Harmful parasites like roundworms and hookworms, since dogs tend to lick their butts after…well, doing their business and often greet each other by bumping noses to others dogs’ butts.
Now while this might all sound super gross, here’s the good news: our immune systems can mostly fight off these infections without giving us much trouble.
⚠️ But if you’ve got older adults, kids, or other immunocompromised folks at home, they might be more likely to get infected – and sick – as a result.
💡So here’s a solution if you’ve got an extra-affectionate, extra-adventurous dog at home: keep tabs on where they’ve been hanging out all day.
Meaning you can now figure out if they’ve come in contact with:
- Other dogs, like from the dog park or just around your neighborhood – all of whom can spread germs, bacteria, and viruses among themselves.
- Smelly substances, including the neighborhood trash heap – where they might end up eating something off-limits for dogs
- Or even something potentially infectious, including pollen and other pesky critters like ticks, mites, and fleas!
All of which they could potentially transfer to you via licking – or someone else who might end up very sick, as a result.
Now you could hover over your dog, monitoring them 24/7…but you know this isn’t sustainable in the long-term.
✅ It’s why responsible dog parents around the world – just like you – are monitoring their buddies’ hangout spots with GPS trackers.
Because with your trusty Tractive GPS strapped to your dog’s collar, you can now track yours:
- In real-time,
- Across an unlimited range,
- In the darkest of nights,
- Over a personalized Heat Map of their favorite hangout spots,
- And even while on vacation – or 175 countries if you’re on a Premium subscription
All with just a glance at your phone.
🐶 No need to compromise on your buddy’s affection. Just the peace of mind from knowing where they’ve been and taking action for everyone’s health and well-being.
So now that we’ve got our safety bases covered, let’s dive right in – why do dogs lick you? And when might it be a cause for concern?
Why does my dog lick me so much?
Your dog licking you is how they’re trying to communicate – and the reasons vary from relatively benign (even heartwarming) to a bit more concerning.
So if you’re wondering why dogs lick in general, it could be them signalling:
Affection
Yes, your dog’s slobber all over you is probably a sign that they love you. They learn this when they are young; puppies lick their mothers and vice versa.
So when your dog joins you on the couch and starts licking your face, it’s just their way of telling you that they love you and want your affection and approval.
They uh, like your taste
If you’re wondering, Why does my dog lick my face? it could be simply because they like the taste of your skin!
- This may be caused by traces of food or just the taste of salt and scents on your skin.
- Or, maybe your dog just really likes the taste of your face cream or body lotion.
(It’s the same when dogs are licking the bowl, the floor after a spill, or the counter after you’ve been cooking – they simply just like the taste.)
⚠️ Just be mindful of the products you’re using on your face – since some of them might contain ingredients toxic to dogs!
They’re hungry or thirsty
If your dog starts licking you around feeding time, it might just be their way of telling you “I’m hungry”. Or maybe the water bowl is empty. Chances are your dog needs something to eat or drink. So if you want to stop the licking, bring water and food.
They’re bored & want your attention
Another reason why dogs lick you is to get your attention. First, they might try to attract your attention with a tap using the paw, a nose nudge or barking. But if they noticed that you do not pay attention to these attempts, they may start licking. Dogs who want attention may lick your arm, hand or your face.
In some cases, they simply just want your attention or a good belly rub. In other cases, they may be trying to tell you something – like “Hey, I need a potty break”.
⚠️ Attention seeking is a primarily learned behavior – and if your dog tends to get bored without constant attention, it’s one of the prime reasons they might end up escaping home for some extra treats, cuddles, and companionship elsewhere.
So make sure to keep them occupied at home, get them enough walks and exercise – and plan ahead for an emergency, like if you’ve come home to find your buddy missing.
Aka, just hit “LIVE” on your Tractive device – and follow your dog’s every step as they make their every step.
They’re curious about you & the world
We’ve all met dogs for the first time, offered a hand for them to sniff, and found our hands licked in return. In fact, that’s why dogs lick new people and things – to learn more about them.
Even if you’ve had a dog for years, you may have touched something new which makes your dog curious. Dogs lick people because they are curious and because it’s their way to learn about new sensory experiences.
⚠️ Which is bad news if you’ve been in contact with some kind of substance that’s toxic to dogs.
In fact, according to the Pet Poison Helpline, here are some of the most common household items2 that led to an increase in pet poisoning between 2020-2021:
- Yeast
- Brewed foods, including coffee and bread dough
- Art supplies, including paint
- Marijuana
- Cleaning supplies
- Alcoholic substances, including wine and cocktails
- Vitamin D3
So be extra mindful you’re either wearing gloves or washing your hands thoroughly before (and after) cuddling with your dog. The extra step you’re taking for their safety and well-being is always worth it.
☠️ What if my area has dangerous or toxic substances around?
Now we wouldn’t recommend confining your dog indoors 24/7 – even though that IS kinda how you keep them 100% safe. (And deal with a whining, stressed-out dog that’s bored out of their minds from being cooped up indoors.)
⚠️ But that doesn’t change the fact that you might just run into some dangerous objects or places when out on your walks or generally outdoors. Including:
- Poisonous plants, like mushrooms – which can be toxic to dogs
- Sharp objects, including animal traps
- Poison bait, which can make your dog very sick if licked
- Dangerous wildlife
- Other toxic substances, like weed killer or snail bait
All of which is bad news if you’ve got a dog that goes around licking and sniffing everything in sight!
💡So here’s the good news: if you’ve invested in a Tractive device, you can actually report a “danger” via your mobile app – which gets broadcast to fellow pet parents in your area.
So you can both keep your buddy safe – and do your part as a responsible dog parent.
Is my dog licking me – or themselves – too much?
If you think your dog is licking too much (especially if they are licking themselves too much) there may be other reasons behind it. If your dog licks the same body parts excessively, you’ll be in good hands getting in touch with your local vet.
Because if you’ve got a dog licking themselves to death, it could signal:
- Canine allergies
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Wounds
- Bone fractures
- Cancer
- Pain
- Anxiety
Which is where the licking behavior may be your dog’s way of self-soothing themselves – trying to distract themselves from the pain or discomfort.
And if they’re licking YOU excessively, it could be them trying to get your attention to help them feel better.
Wrapping up: How to keep your lick-happy dog safe & healthy
Much of the time, if your dog licks you, it isn’t really a cause for concern – it’s just how they communicate with you and the world. Which could signal:
- Affection
- Liking how you “taste”
- Hunger or thirst
- Boredom and attention-seeking
- Curiosity about “new” people, places, and things
- And in rarer cases, a health issue – which they’re trying to self-soothe, or draw your attention to
And if you’re confident your buddy isn’t coming in contact with any harmful germs or bacteria, it’s generally safe to let them lick you to their heart’s content. (Plus yours!)
⚠️ But if you’re not 100% sure where your dog’s been spending most of their time – and what they’ve been licking…
Which may or may not include:
- Other dog’s butts,
- Their own poop,
- Or a whole bunch of other smelly, potentially infectious stuff
(All of which could make you or one of your loved ones sick from the germs, bacteria, allergens, or even parasites…)
✅ Then it makes sense to keep tabs on where your buddy’s been spending most of their time throughout the day – and take some extra clean-up steps after.
Which you could do by monitoring your dog 24/7…
💡 Or by just taking a glance at your Tractive mobile app to check where they’ve been. Like from their Heat Map and Location History.
Helping you keep your buddy safe and follow their every step – as they make their every step.
Always know where your dog is
Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.
Want a vet’s take on why dogs lick you? Here’s Dr. Jones from Veterinary Secrets chipping in:
And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
