Why Does Your Dog Lick Your Legs After You Shower or Moisturize? · Kinship Leave a comment

What’s it about moist legs that canines discover so engaging? It’s occurred to us all earlier than: You step out of the bathe all good and clear, you begin to towel off, and swiftly, you’re feeling a faint tickle in your calf. You look down and see your canine lapping the dew off your pores and skin prefer it’s beef broth, they usually haven’t eaten for days. What the hell is happening there?

As with most doggie behaviors, the explanation why canines lick our legs after we’ve confirmed or moisturized can fluctuate. To determine what’s making your canine lick like there’s no tomorrow, you’ll have to make use of context clues. 

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However what in case your canine licks a lot? In some instances, compulsive licking can sign deeper issues. Additionally, in the event you’ve moisturized your pores and skin after your bathe and your pup licks it, sure substances could possibly be placing them in danger. To unravel this habits and learn to hold canines pleased, wholesome, and well-hydrated, I spoke with board-certified veterinary behaviorists Karen Sueda and Camille Squair.

Why does your canine lick your legs after you bathe?

The reply right here will rely upon each the precise scenario and your canine. Typically, canines give us post-shower kisses to point out affection, get new info, or, in some instances, quench their thirst.

Your legs could be tasty.

Each time my canine licks my legs, my first thought is, Don’t you will have water? Generally, nevertheless, it’s much less about thirst and extra about tasting one thing new.

As Sueda factors out, the water in your bathe would possibly style totally different than the water in your canine’s bowl — particularly as soon as it drips off your legs. “Water that has been left in a bowl for some time might style a bit ‘stale’ in comparison with extra aerated bathe water,” Sueda says. “This will likely even be why some canines like ingesting out of a contemporary bowl of water reasonably than one which has been sitting out for some time.”

If nothing else, your canine’s leg-licking could possibly be a helpful reminder to refresh their water bowl extra typically. Talking of which, I’ll be proper again…

They could wish to say good day.

OK, I’m again.

You understand that stereotype about how canines miss us from the second we go away their sight, even when we’ve solely been gone for 5 minutes? Effectively, your showers in all probability final a minimum of 10 — so there’s a good probability that your canine is licking your legs as a result of they’re glad to have you ever again the place they’ll see you.

As Squair factors out, licking usually may also be a approach for canines to speak that you simply’re a part of their pack. By licking your legs after a bathe, your canine could be making an attempt to strengthen that bond. 

They could be thirsty.

This one’s much less possible, assuming your canine has constant entry to water. Nonetheless, Sueda says, it’s potential that in case your canine is licking your moist legs, they’re merely quenching their thirst. “Some canines might take pleasure in licking water from a floor reasonably than lapping it out of a bowl,” she says, “much like an individual who enjoys sipping from a straw reasonably than gulping from a glass.”

They could be investigating.

Similar to your canine would possibly’ve missed you through the quick eternity you spent lathering up, they may be questioning what you’ve been as much as. Per Sueda, “Licking can also be a approach for them to achieve details about your whereabouts.”

In case your canine doesn’t typically see your legs (like, say, since you normally put on lengthy pants) that would additionally improve the enchantment, Squair says. “Possibly that part of your leg or space of your physique isn’t all the time obtainable for them to have the ability to groom and lick, and so it’s a novel place for them to have the ability to try this,” Squair says.

They could need consideration.

Do you normally reply to your canine’s kisses with fawning responses and quite a lot of cooing? In that case, the post-shower leg snogs could be a plea for affection. “Your canine might lick you while you get out of the bathe if they need your consideration,” Sueda says, “particularly because you’re a ‘captive viewers.’” 

They could be stressed.

How good is your canine with separation? For some canines, even a quick absence can get the anxious gears turning — and as Squair notes, extreme licking could be a signal of stress.

Licking could be a sort of displacement habits, Squair says — a canine’s model of twirling their hair or shifting weight from one foot to the opposite after they’re nervous and don’t know what to do with their our bodies. As she places it, “There could be sort of an inside sort of soothing issue that goes with that.”

To be clear, not all canines who prefer to lick moist legs have separation anxiousness — and never all canines with separation anxiousness will likely be drawn to damp limbs. Nonetheless, Sueda says, in case your canine appears unusually panicked while you step out of the lavatory, or in the event that they present different indicators of hysteria, seek the advice of along with your vet to rule out any deeper points.

Must you fear in case your canine is licking bathe water off your legs?

The primary query you could ask your self: Do you thoughts the licking or not? “Should you don’t thoughts your canine licking your legs, no intervention is required, except you consider your canine panics when you find yourself separated from them,” Sueda says. “In case your canine solely licks you sometimes, their habits might not should be addressed.”

However in the event you don’t like the additional consideration while you step out of the bathe, Sueda affords two solutions: Shut the lavatory door and/or supply your canine one thing extra fascinating to lick. Check out toys, like lick mats and soothing saucers or a long-lasting deal with, to redirect your canine’s enthusiasm. Or ask one other member of your family to distract your canine with a stroll or a toy. 

Should you’re anxious your canine’s licking would possibly sign a deeper concern, Squair suggests assessing their general habits to see how typically it occurs in different contexts. In sure conditions, compulsive licking can replicate gastrointestinal (GI) upset or esophageal discomfort. Test to see how simply your canine could be redirected away from the licking towards one other exercise. If it’s onerous to interrupt their focus, or in the event that they hold returning to the habits, it could be time to name the vet.

Why does your canine lick your legs after you moisturize?

All of us have our vices. For some canines, it’s bathe water — and for others, it could be your favourite lotion that you simply placed on after you’re squeaky clear. (Shea butter remains to be butter, in spite of everything… proper?) Very similar to while you first step out of the bathe, Squair says, the brand new smells and tastes related along with your moisturizer could be appetizing to your canine. (“A few of them style good.”) In different instances, your pooch would possibly merely be sniffing out your new scent. 

Sueda agrees that to some canines, the style of moisturized legs or palms could be much more interesting than bathe water. “Your canine might benefit from the style of the moisturizer or lick you to achieve details about this novel scent,” she says.

Is it secure on your canine to lick lotion off your legs?

This can rely upon the product, however usually, Sueda factors out, lotions and skincare merchandise usually are not supposed for consumption — human or canine — and would possibly include substances which are harmful for canines. Moreover, she provides, “the moisturizer received’t do you any good in case your canine licks it off.”

Most moisturizers are dilute sufficient that in case your canine steals a stray lick off your ankle, they’ll in all probability be superb. That stated, Squair says, in case your canine is vulnerable to licking, you’re greatest off avoiding extremely concentrated important oils or any merchandise containing xylitol, a sweetener that’s extremely poisonous to canines and could be present in some lotions. Be sure you don’t permit your canine unmitigated entry to your moisturizer — on your sake and theirs. And all the time be sure you have a look at the label to ensure they haven’t consumed one thing poisonous in the event that they do get ahold of it.

When ought to your canine see a vet?

In case your pup compulsively licks and has bother refocusing on different issues, it could possibly be a symptom of a bodily sickness (like allergy symptoms) or, in uncommon instances, a neurologic illness. Squair recommends waiting for modifications in habits, which could possibly be one other signal that one thing is unsuitable. Should you discover a brand new habits, ask your self how typically it’s occurring and for a way lengthy — and whether or not it’s simple or troublesome to get your canine to cease.  

In case your canine tends to lick or chew on themselves a lot, particularly alongside different signs like vomiting or comfortable stool, Sueda recommends scheduling an examination on the vet’s workplace to rule out sickness or illness. In spite of everything, she says, “It’s all the time greatest to err on the aspect of warning.”