Dogs love licking feet. This, though normal, can indicate a problem.
Reasons Why Dogs Lick Their Feet
Unlike humans, dogs have an additional sensory organ called the Jacobson organ. This organ enables your dog to smell and taste simultaneously. Here are the main reasons why dogs lick their feet:
- To seek attention.
- Stinky feet have biological information, including pheromones.
- Sweaty feet have salt, which dogs love.
- To show affection.
- For comfort, especially in anxious dogs.
- To clean you up.
- To show their submission to you.
When Licking Indicates a Problem
Though normal, excessive licking can indicate a behavioral problem. In terms of behavior, licking that happens a lot in reaction to anything but is hard to stop could be an indication of anxiety.
Licking is a displacement behavior in dogs, or it can be a relaxing indication. Excessive licking, however, can also indicate an underlying medical problem. If your dog is licking everything, including floors, rugs, and couches, there can be gastrointestinal problems.
Addressing excessive licking
Below are tips to stop excessive licking:
- Cover your feet to prevent access.
- Give your dog a toy to keep it occupied.
- Distract your dog by using positive reinforcement techniques.
- Ignore the behavior.
If your dog does not stop after using these tips, then it could have underlying medical issues, including gastrointestinal problems and anxiety. Take it to the vet for examination and treatment.
Licking is normal, but excessive licking could indicate an underlying problem. Use the tips above to regulate the behavior and see a vet if it persists.