02
Sep
In the wild puppies lick their mothers lips when the mother has just returned from a hunt her belly full of meat. A dog licking another dogs ears.
A dog continuously licking another dogs ears can give the other dog serious ear problems.
Why does my dog obsessively lick other dogs ears. And when a dog licks another dogs ears it creates moisture within it. This moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to flourish and could set the victim dog up for infection. On the opposite end of the spectrum obsessive licking could also be a sign of infection.
I can tell you that almost every time when I have seen a two dog household where one dog wants to lick the other dogs ears obsessively it is because there is some type of medical issue with the other dogs ears. Usually the problem is some type of infection as opposed to ear mites. A dog continuously licking another dogs ears can give the other dog serious ear problems.
It can result in soreness on the lobe or worse an infection in the dogs ear canal. A good solution is to take part in some training sessions where your dog will be able to mingle with others and relearn at what level he needs to execute his social skills. My Dog Wants to French Kiss Your Dog.
Why Dogs Lick Other Dogs Faces Licking other dogs faces falls into the behavioral category and dogs do it for several different reasons. In the wild puppies lick their mothers lips when the mother has just returned from a hunt her belly full of meat. A Sign of an Underlying Problem One final reason your dog may suddenly become obsessed with ears is an underlying medical issue.
This is more likely to be the case if you see your dog has started licking the ears of other animals in your home rather than licking your human ears but its still something to be aware of. A dog licking another dogs ears is in the canine world a natural greeting. Dogs still are genetically at least pack animals and so will probably continue to ear lick until the end of time.
On a more technical note dogs ears are for them in an inaccessible zone. A dog licking another dogs ears. Remember one of the reasons dogs lick each others ears is because licking is soothing for them.
Sure they can lick their paw or legs to get the same soothing effect but theyve developed a habit of licking the ears of your other dog. When a dog develops a habit its hard to break it. If one dog is obsessively licking another dogs ear it can lead to ear infection over time.
The constant licking keeps the ear canal moist which makes it an easy breeding ground for bacteria. Its important to keep an eye on your dogs ear if another dog is obsessively licking it. 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. Why does my dog lick other dogs.
You keep seeing your dog licking other dogs. There are a few reasons why a dog might lick another dog. Licking behaviors are the very first comfort that a dog receives from its mother and its siblings.
Mother dogs lick their puppies and puppies lick each other. A dog who licks another dog on the face probably doesnt feel like he is in the power position when deciding wholl get first dibs on a certain resource a toy food etc at a given moment. Dogs frequently lick the faces of other canines that they perceive to be stronger than they are but also higher on the totem pole socially.
Why Its an Unhealthy Habit. Amy Pike DVM of Veterinary Behavior Consultations in St. Louis Mo both dogs could potentially be at risk.
If the dog being licked has an ear infection and is being treated with topical medication it could cause the dog doing the licking to get an upset stomach due to ingestion of the medication says Dr. Pike although she adds that. Many dog owners view dogs licking as a sign of affection similar to kissing.
Obsessive licking may be a sign of underlying issues including anxiety boredom or fear. Trick training is an. They also look out for each other.
A dog who excessively licks the muzzle of his canine pal may be doing this because the dog has a tumor cut or other medical need that requires attention and treatment. Puppies also kiss their mothers but its not a gesture of affection. For dogs that are intent on licking chewing or scratching themselves only the cause may be easier to find.
There are six major causes of why your dog may obsessively lick. Allergies boredom dry skin hormonal imbalance pain and parasites. Allergies may be environmental or food-based.
Some dogs may lick their pet parents ears because theyre being submissive. As mentioned earlier dogs might see their parents as the leader of their pack. In order to properly communicate their respect a dog will lick ears or elsewhere.