As a dog owner, when you see your dog licking his nose, you might have wondered, ‘Why Do Dogs Lick Their Nose When You Pet Them?’ and as a pet parent you might be worried about why your dogs lick their nose excessively.
Read on to find out more about your dogs and their nose licking situation.
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Nose When You Pet Them?
Dogs lick their nose when you pet them for several reasons:
1. To Gather Your Scent
A dog’s nose is his biggest sensory information center. Hence, your dog is trying to gather all the information about you by collecting scent particles from after you pet him.
2. To Keep Himself Calm
Your dog might not like it when you pet him and can cause anxiety in him. Licking his nose after a pet from you is a gesture that helps him calm down and control his anxious behavior.
3. Indicating That Your Dog Is Ready For More Interaction
When a dog licks his nose after you pet him, it can also indicate that he is ready for more interaction with you.
Are Dog Licks Really Kisses?
Your dog licking you is him giving you doggie kisses. Licking is a way of showing affection in dogs. You see a dog licking other dogs, mother dogs licking and grooming her puppy, dogs liking their favorite human.
Licking is a sign of grooming and affection in dogs and dogs lick because they love you. That is why we call a dog’s lick, his kiss!
What Does It Mean When A Dog Keeps Licking Its Nose?
Your dog’s nose is a vital part of his body and it is a source of important sensory information. Below are the several different meanings behind your dog licking his nose.
1. To Keep His Nose Moist And Clean
Your dog will lick his nose from time to time to keep his nose moist and clean. A clean and moist nose will function properly and grasp all the sensory information. A wet nose is more efficient in capturing the scent particles around him.
2. A Sign Of Submissive Behaviour
Your dog’s licking his nose is a submissive gesture showing you that he is ready for interaction with you. It is a dog’s behavior that helps him stay calm and submissive.
3. A Sign Of Illness
Your dog could be constantly licking his nose as a sign of an illness. He could be dealing with a runny nose or a dry nose. He could be trying to get rid of the nasal discharge which could be the reason behind his excessive licking.
A dog’s dry nose is also an indication of underlying medical issues.
Excessive nose licking can also indicate a dental disease or nausea. Immediately consult with your vet if you think his excessive licking is due to a medical condition. Some vets will recommend No products found. to promote calm behavior for your pets when they are during stressful times.
How To Stop Dog From Licking Nose?
If your dog is licking his nose due to a medical condition, it is recommended that he should be taken to the vet to help treat the underlying medical condition.
However, if your dog is suffering from behavioral problems like stress or anxiety, proper care and training with the help of an expert dog trainer.
Also Read: Tired Of Your Dog’s Boogers? Check this out.
Is It Normal For Dogs To Lick Themselves?
It is very normal for dogs to lick themselves. Most domestic dogs are clean animals and they will clean up after themselves by licking themselves. Dog saliva contains bacteria-killing enzymes that will help them stay clean.
They usually lick their paw, their genital area, and most body parts to groom themselves. This is normal. However, abnormal licking can be an indication of a medical issue.
Should You Let Your Dog Lick Themselves?
You can let your dog lick themselves as it is their instinct. They groom themselves and clean themselves by licking themselves. Dog saliva contains bacteria-killing enzymes which aid in grooming.
However, if your dog licks too much, it could be due to anxiety, obsessive behavioral problems, or an underlying medical condition. If your dog licks himself excessively, consult a vet.
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Nose After You Kiss Them?
Your dog licking his nose after you kiss him will help him to effectively catch a better scent of you. Licking his nose is also a sign that he is ready for interaction.
Licking his nose also helps a dog to calm himself down and not be anxious. This allows him to get ready for interaction with you.
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Nose When You Scratch Their Back?
Dogs lick their nose to help themselves from cam down and not be anxious. When they lick their nose, a dog can convey that he is ready for interaction.
A dog licking his nose also helps him get the clear scent from you and he will be able to effectively receive smell particles from you.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Compulsive Licking?
There are many reasons dogs lick you and to stop compulsive licking, we should start from the root problem.
- Ignore your dog when he is trying to lick too much. Positively reinforcing behavior is just encouraging him to do it more.
- Take him to the vet to solve any physical or neurological problems that might be the cause of this behavior.
- Get him some exercise. Excessive licking is also the effect of boredom, so help him use up all his energy!
- Use bitter sprays on the skin he is licking and that will discourage him from licking too much.
Should You Let Your Dog Lick You?
It is difficult to resist puppy kisses, so you can let your dog kiss you. But, try to keep his licks off the face and open wounds.
Dog saliva contains bacteria that humans, especially those with a weak immune system cannot handle. There are risks of falling sick.
So while you don’t have to completely boycott your dog licking you, make sure it is within the limits and that both you and your dog are healthy.
What Does It Mean When A Dog Licks Its Owner?
A dog licking his owner is a way of showing affection and submission. An adult dog will lick his human because he considers the owner as a pack leader and is showing his submission towards him.
But excessive licking can be a sign of problems like separation anxiety and boredom. This can be controlled with positive training, with the help of a dog trainer.
Why Does My Dog Lick The Air When I Talk To Him?
Your dog could be trying to take in a strong smell or scent that is associated with you. He may be trying to take in the smell.
Your dog licking at the air could also mean that he is stressed or anxious. He might be trying to convey that to you.
To read more about why dogs lick the air, click here.
What Home Remedy Can I Use To Stop My Dog From Licking?
Your dog could be excessively licking his paw pads and other body parts because he is itching, open wounds, or suffering from flea infestation or other skin problems. Some of this can be solved only with a trip to the vet but some can be healed with home remedies.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar solution
Combine 50 percent water and 50 percent apple cider vinegar and spray it on your dog’s itchy areas. Remember, do no spray raw apple cider vinegar, and do not spray it on open wounds or cuts.
2. Aloe Vera
Apply fresh aloe vera gel to your dog’s affected area. Do not apply aloe vera gel that contains alcohol content.
You can also apply dog skin treatment like ResQ Organics Natural Treatment as it contains aloe vera and natural ingredients for dog’s itch relief.
3. Keep Your Dog Entertained
Your dog could also be licking himself out of boredom. So, entertain him and make sure he isn’t bored.
Also Read: Why Does My Dog Always Lay On Me?
Is Dog Licking A Sign Of Dominance?
An older dog licking another dog is a sign of submissiveness to a more dominant leader. Licking is not a sign of dominance. By licking a more dominant leader, it is a sign of subordinate behavior in dogs.
An adult dog licking a human is also a sign of subordinate behavior. A dog sees you as the pack leader and is showing his submission towards you.
Dogs assert dominance by licking which is combined with other dominating behaviors. Proper training and caution can help you handle a dominant dog.
Why Is My Dog Licking His Face So Much?
Your dog might be excessively licking his nose and lips due to underlying medical conditions. It is normal for your dog to lick his face from time to time. However, excessive licking can indicate medical conditions that should be treated.
1. Underlying Health Conditions
Your dog could be suffering from diseases and face licking combined with other symptoms could be an indication of medical issues like:
- Nausea
- Mouth or dental problems
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Intestinal obstruction
- Pancreatitis
- Liver or kidney illnesses
- Addison’s disease.
Consult a vet as soon as possible if you see excessive licking combined with other symptoms like vomiting and nausea.
2. Behavioral Reasons
Your dog licks your lip and nose as a sign of submissive behavior and it also helps them calm down. But excessive lip-licking also shows signs of anxiety and fear.
Your dog licking his face is normal as long as it is not a compulsive behavior.
Conclusion: Why Do Dogs Lick Their Nose When You Pet Them?
As a pet owner, it is fair enough to worry about your dogs. You might have several questions like, ‘Why Do Dogs Lick Their Nose When You Pet Them?’
Your dog licking his nose and giving you slobbery kisses is very normal. However, you should worry about your dog’s health if he is licking excessively.
