Why Dog Licks?

Licking?

This is a perfectly normal part of being a dog. They have their own special way of telling us their wants and needs, and you are the best one to determine which of these may be the case for your pet. It’s important to know that dogs lick for more than one reason. Most people assume it’s purely out of affection, or that it means the dog wants attention. Dogs use their senses to process information, they have an incredible sense of smell.
They are equipped with a unique organ, known as the Jacobson's organ, on the roof of their mouths. When they breathe in air, it flows across this organ, cluing them in to substances that have no known detectable odor. Many dogs will also lick at something to gain more scent information. Dogs also lick because they like the taste of an owner's salty skin. Mostly, with domestic dogs, it's a sign of affection. If a dog is chronically licking himself, it can be because he is bored, anxious, has skin problems such as allergies, or could be feeling pain either in their paws or elsewhere in their bodies. If you have an inkling that your dog's licking could be a way of handling these kinds of problems, call the veterinarian to schedule a checkup as soon as possible. Whether he’s licking out of habit, for the taste, or to see where you’ve been for the last few hours when you left him home alone, soak it up. Their kisses are one of life’s greatest joys.