Why my dog licks other dogs ears

Two dogs who live side by side and consider each other part of one pack will feel comfortable grooming each other. The dogs are in constant communication.

If one dog is obsessively licking another dogs ear it can lead to ear infection over time.

Why my dog licks other dogs ears. 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.

Reasons why your dog licks your other dogs ears. Below are a number of possible causes and what would make each of them more likely to be the main cause. A dog cant lick its own ears so other dogs will often lick their ears for them.

Why my dog licks the ears of other dogs. The dogs are in constant communication. Moreover almost everything they do even the smallest movement or every behavior that may seem strange to us is in fact a communicative act.

An example of this is when your dog licks the ears of another dog. Remember saliva is wet. 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. Possible reasons why your dog licks your other dogs ears are that your dog is grooming your other dog your dog is being submissive your dog has an obsessive disorder or that it simply likes the taste.

GroomingA dog cant lick its own ears so other dogs will often lick their ears for them. 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. 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. Many of them stem from some evolutionary behavior or communication mechanism. Others are just unique to the family dog.

You may have noticed your pet licking the ears of another dog cat or even human in the household. This borderline gross behavior is not uncommon among dogs but most pet owners have to wonder why their dog is licking ears. When a dog licks another dogs ears it may be simply an act of grooming.

Two dogs who live side by side and consider each other part of one pack will feel comfortable grooming each other. Since a dog cannot lick his own ears to clean them another in his pack will do so. 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. 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. Why is my dog obsessed with licking my ears. One explanation is that it is a sign of affection.

Nuzzling licking and even nibbling on the ears of another pack member in this case you can be a means to show that your pup is comfortable with you. 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.

During introductions some dogs take the initiative to lick the other dogs eyes ears and face as a sign of respect and deference. Dogs can sense the aura of other dogs and can easily assess whether their new friend is a leader or not. When you dog licks your ears they may just be trying to tell you that they love you and are comfortable when you are around.

You can know your dog is licking your ears for this reason if they have a soft face that is no tense muscles along the brow line or the muzzle and relaxed body positioning. 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.

Why does my dog lick my other dogs ears. Thu Apr 22 2021 1216 AM. Ear-licking generally is benign and often a gesture of affection even if it seems a but unsavory for us.

When a dog licks another dogs ears it may be simply an act of grooming. This behavior is ingrained in puppies and as long as your dog doesnt chew their ears its fine. Speaking of pack leaders affection isnt the only reason why pugs lick other dogs ears.

When dogs communicate in the wild the low-ranking pack members will often lick the other more dominant members as a mark of respect.