Why does my dog lick my feet?

Dogs have strange habits, whether they are running after their tails, screaming at death, rolling around in grass or licking every inch of our body. Many people have pussies who like to lick, but why do dogs lick their feet specifically? For us humans, this may seem disgusting, but our dogs seem to love to drool on our toes.

Why does the dog lick his feet in particular?

There are many theories about why dogs lick their feet, and we humans may never know for sure what drives our dogs to shove on our toes. Continue reading this article to find out why the dog likes to lick his master's feet!

Whatever the reason, licking feet is a fairly normal behavior for dogs. Leaching someone's foot is a bit weird for most humans, but for our dogs it can be an important attachment ritual, a calming exercise and perhaps even a tasty act. Let's see why dogs lick their feet.

It's a social exercise for the dog

There are two main social reasons why dogs lick your feet. The first of these reasons is that a dog licks your feet to show you that he loves you. We already know that dogs lick us as a sign of affection, they often direct these scoundrels to our faces, hands and feet. For some small dogs and puppies, your feet are sometimes the only place they can reach! For dogs, licking and grooming their family members is a way to show their love and strengthen their bonds.

The other reason why this language is directed towards your toes is that it is a way for your dog to show that it respects you. Dogs often lick more dominant dogs to show them that they are submissive and not a threat, and your dog may lick your feet for the same reason. Staying at the ground and licking you, he sends a double message: « I respect you. ».

Also read: Why does my dog lick the floor?

It's a way for the dog to take care of you

A dog mother licks her puppies to keep them clean, show them her love and encourage them to do their needs. Even adult dogs lick their wounds or the wounds of their congeners, as their saliva can help keep cut clean, prevent infections and improve healing. Moreover, it is a gesture of comfort that shows their friends that they love them when they do not feel at best in their form.

Even among humans, there are many legends and popular medicine that claim that getting licked by a dog can cure you. For example, the god of medicine of ancient Greece had a dog companion, and his shrines had sacred dogs that licked people and allegedly healed them.

Your dog can lick you if you are ill to try to make you feel better, and it will certainly lick your cuts to try to keep you clean. In their heads, they help you! They're probably trying to comfort you too.

Your feet can have a tasty taste and smell for your dog

We all know that dogs do not hesitate to roll in rather disgusting things and eat them, and sometimes your sweaty feet are irresistible to your fur friend. Whether it's the salt of your sweat that sticks to your toes or you accidentally walked on crumbs in the kitchen, your puppy can taste and smell everything you've trodden and probably finds it all quite tasty.

If your dog seems obsessed with licking your feet or arms when sweating, he may simply enjoy salty taste or suffer from a mineral deficiency. However, it is much more likely that he simply thinks it tastes good!

Dogs like to use their language

Some dogs are simply more likely to lick than others. If your dog licks your feet, it may be because it is a leaching dog and your feet are an easy place to reach to drool.

Your dog wants something

It's hard to ignore a dog that licks your feet, isn't it? Your puppy may have learned that if he needs something, or if he wants to steal your attention, he can lick your feet. Most dogs stare at you to try to communicate, and if it doesn't work, they will add a physical way to get your attention, whether it's a paw on your arm, a snout on your leg, or even a lick of your hands and feet.

You may have strengthened your dog's behavior.

This reason is related to the theory that dogs lick your feet to attract attention. The last time your dog licked your foot, you probably pulled back and reprimanded it, or you sneezed when he licked your tickly toes and you made her stories. In any case, you have focused your attention on your dog and it will quickly realize that it is an effective way to attract your attention (whether it is positive or negative attention!). Their goal is simply to get you to focus on them, and licking seems to be a great way to achieve it.

Plus, if you're ticklish, your dog probably heard your laugh and thought you liked it to lick your feet, because laughter is a positive reaction. Shaking your ticklish feet probably seemed fun too, and he might think it was a bit of a game.

Most often, when a dog licks you, you start to humming on him and hug him, since he seems to kiss you and cover you with puppy love. The fact of hugging is obviously positive, he will think that licking your feet means agitation and he will do it more often to get a quick hug.

Your dog licks you to relieve stress

When a dog licks something, its body releases endorphins, the hormone that relieves pain and stress. If your dog licks a lot, whether it's your feet, your own feet, toys or even the ground, it may be a self-satisfying behavior.

If there were fireworks or if you were away from home for the weekend, licking your dog's legs may be his way of calming down after a stressful period.

Frequent licking can help reduce stress and pain. Constant licking can therefore be a sign that your puppy is agitated or uncomfortable. If this behavior persists, or if it shows signs of illness or pain, ask your veterinarian to examine it to ensure that there is no underlying problem.