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Jan
Although the primary reason is for grooming more on that shortly there are many other reasons dogs lick each others ears. It is but obvious that when you notice them doing something weird like licking another dogs ears this might be unsettling to you.
If one dog already has an ear infection the other can get it.
Why do dogs like licking peoples ears. There are two primary reasons your dog licks your ears. The first and most common reason is that they like the taste. Sounds gross but some dogs love the taste of earwax.
The second reason is that theyre grooming you. Why do dogs lick your ears. As we mentioned dog ear licking is done in most cases to show you that they care.
Think of it as part of their love language. In more detail however your dog may be licking your ears for these reasons. They love you and missed you.
They are acknowledging that you are in charge. They want to help you stay clean. Humans and dogs alike can get ear infections.
And if your dog is constantly licking your ears as well as the ears of other animals in the family these types of infections can be passed around. Additionally if one of your dogs is more inclined to lick the ears of another animal. Although the primary reason is for grooming more on that shortly there are many other reasons dogs lick each others ears.
Dogs dont communicate the same way humans do. Humans mostly communicate with their words. Dogs communicate with their body language.
Your Dog is Licking Ears Because Dogs Can Be Gross Sometimes however ear licking goes back to another innate dog behavior. Being a little bit disgusting sometimes. Some dogs develop a penchant for the taste of ear wax.
Who needs a peanut butter filled Kong when your kitty friend has an ear canal full of wax. Its why many people call them kisses Dogs show affection by licking people and sometimes even other dogs. Licking is a natural action for dogs.
They learned it from the grooming and affection given to them as puppies by their mothers. The most common reason a dog may lick their humans ears is as a sign of affection. Back when dogs lived in packs in the wild they would lick the ears of their packmates to show that they accepted the other as a part of their pack.
If one dog already has an ear infection the other can get it. Ears provide a perfect area in which bacteria and yeast can grow. Discouraging Ear Licking in Dogs.
Fox DVM says some dogs are more fond of licking than others. Obsessive ear licking dogs have been known not only to lick the ears but nibble on them as well. Yeast infections which are primarily caused by an allergytend to begin either in a dogs ears or in their paws.
If you notice this type of licking in addition to other symptoms like sores redness or a slimy often smelly discharge have your dog checked out by the vet right away. It is but obvious that when you notice them doing something weird like licking another dogs ears this might be unsettling to you. But this need not necessarily be a cause to worry.
And now that you are aware of the various reasons why dogs lick ears you easily will be able to identify if it is normal or if a visit to a vet is required. A dog licking another dogs ears is basically the only chance theyve got of having a freshen up in that area. In some ways similar to when monkeys perform a communal and reciprocal picking through of their fur to remove dirt and parasites dogs lick each others ears as a grooming favor.
Youd help your friend out in the same way wouldnt you. In most cases dogs licking each others ears is a healthy and natural behavior that should not ring any alarms. Sometimes however licking can indicate an underlying medical issue be it with the dog being licked or the one doing the licking.
Bacterial or fungal infections like a yeast infection can cause a dog to scratch at her own ears. The most obvious answer as to why a pet will lick your ears or your face your hands or any other part of your body is affection. Its simply their way of saying they love you.
All dogs are part of a pack. This can consist of themselves and other dogs or the pack can consist of dogs and their humans. When a dog is around others of its own kind it may exhibit submissive behaviors like allowing its ears to be licked.
This occurs when a dog submits to another one that has established itself as the pack leader. It is why this behavior is not uncommon with people who own multiple dogs. When it comes to answering why dogs lick ears there seem to be some powerful behavioral forces at play.
Dogs by nature are pack-oriented and because of this many of their behaviors can be explained by communication and social structure. Ear licking within the pack structure communicates a few things. A level of comfort between pack members.
Why Do Dogs Lick Your Face. The common dog face licking behavior has evolved from the wolf puppy behavior of licking the mouths of adult dogs to prompt the regurgitation of partially digested food. This is how puppies transition from suckling their mothers milk to eating partially digested food to more solid food.