You might chance upon it one day when you are taking a nap or busy lounging around on a holiday – your dog licking your feet will definitely take you by surprise. There is no need to be alarmed, however, as dogs licking feet is a common phenomenon.
Why do dogs lick feet, then – especially stinky ones? There are many answers – depending on the situation, the reasons can vary from your dog feeling anxious about something and seeking comfort to you having sweaty feet which are tasty to canines. To sum it up simply, it is a natural action for them and can mean a lot of things.
To help you out with your current licking situation, I have put together this article on the licky behavior of dogs. Read on to find out!
Is It Safe For Dogs To Lick Your Feet?
Regarding safety and hygiene issues, it is mostly safe for your dog to lick your feet. There are lots of bacteria in dog saliva that can prove harmful to humans.
However, considering it is your pet dog who is prone to licking your feet, the chances of you getting sick or infected are zero to none as long as you have kept up with its shots and vaccines.
On the other hand, there are some risks for your pet dog in licking your feet, but all of them are connected to the condition you are in. As long as you maintain your hygiene and keep your feet clean, the chances of your dog getting sick by licking them are also zero to none.
There are still a few diseases that can be passed on to dogs by us and the following are the most common ones.
- Fever: The sweat hives that we break into when we have a fever are not safe for your dog to lick at all. Anything from common cold virus and flu to mumps and tuberculosis can be passed onto your dog.
- Rashes: In case you have common rashes, like ringworms or STAPH infections, it is not a good idea to let your dog lick the infected areas.
- Giardia: This is a common human intestinal parasite that comes from dirty tap water. If your dog has been infected, it is possible they might have diarrhea or intestinal problems
Why Does My Dog Lick My Feet?
Licking is a natural action for dogs and as you must have noticed, their first instinct upon encountering a new object or human is to either sniff or lick them. It can be done for various reasons. For example, my pet dog was a licker, but the habit came from his love for food and the need to taste everything he came to sight with.
Hence, it is important to know the particular reason behind the action in order to know how to control it. Here are a few reasons why your dog must be licking your feet.
- Your Dog Wants Your Attention
If you are a bit ticklish, chances are that when your dog has licked your feet before, your reaction was to jerk, say something or look at them immediately. Dogs are incredibly smart creatures and since you gave them the idea that licking your feet is equal to your attention, they will definitely try to do it again just so you pay them mind.
- Your Dog Is Feeling Anxious
Sometimes, when dogs lick things, their body releases endorphins that help them relieve pain and stress.
If they are excessively licking your feet, it could be that they are feeling anxious and they are trying to calm themselves.
Dogs also find the most comfort in things that belong to their owner. Since your feet are also part of you, they find your pheromones safe and comforting. Check for signs of anxiety or nervousness when your dog is licking your feet.
- Your Dog Is Hungry And Your Feet Are Dirty
A common conclusion you can jump to is that your dog is hungry and is trying to ask for food. We all know how dogs are happy to indulge in anything which is messy or dirty. So if your feet are unclean or sweaty, they will go over to lick them – especially when they are hungry.
- It Is Trying To Groom You
Just like a mother dog licks their puppies to keep them clean, your dog might be trying to do the same for you.
Dogs lick each other to show affection, tend to their wounds, and also groom each other.
As dog owners, we are part of our pet dog’s pack, and since in a pack, canines look out for each other, your pet dog may be doing the same for you.
If the feet licking is happening specifically during a time that you are sick or injured, it is most definitely not a habit of your pet, but rather an act of affection.
- It Is A Natural, Submissive Gesture To Them
A very odd reason that your dog may be licking your feet is the fact that they think you are the alpha of the house and they are submitting to you. This is not a fearful submission, but rather how they show you that they are completely okay with you being the boss or your parent.
In fact, they are so happy with the idea that when licking your feet, they are going out of their way to send you that message.
When Should You Be Concerned If Your Dog Is Licking Feet?
If your dog is licking your feet excessively without showing any signs of stopping, or cannot stop licking things in general, then there is a chance that of behavioral issues. Licking is in the end, a comforting feeling for dogs. So if they are doing it excessively, it means they really want to get rid of the stress they are feeling.
Make sure to get your dog checked for any underlying problem or illness – especially if they are licking excessively at their paws.
Should You Encourage Your Dog Licking Feet?
If there are no signs of any stress, disease, or obsessive habit (including doing it to get your attention), I personally feel there is nothing wrong with letting your dog lick your feet. It is their way of sending a message and it will make them happy if you receive their affection well.
Just make sure that your feet are kept clean and do not have any rashes, open wounds, or any ointment substances that can prove to be harmful to your pup.
How To Stop Your Dog From Licking Your Feet?
Although your dog may mean no harm, the feeling of your dog licking your feet may not be an enjoyable experience for everyone. The best solution is to keep your feet impeccably clean – this way, they are less attractive to dogs due to the lack of sweat.
If they still continue to try licking your feet, then your problem is most likely not sweat-related. However, there are still ways to discourage them from doing so.
- Give Them A Distraction
The best way to stop your dog from licking your feet is to distract them. You can use anything that helps – toys, licking mats, clickers, food, etc. Though food is the easiest way to distract them, my personal suggestion is to not do that as sometimes dogs, especially puppies, will relate getting treats to the action of licking your feet.
This may cause you more problems as per my experience and instead, I recommend you play with them. Most dogs are up for playtime with their favorite people, their owners, all the time, and will definitely get distracted. The play need not be too excessive. You can throw them a ball to fetch or jump around a little with them.
- Simply Walk Away From Them
First and foremost, no matter how ticklish or uncomfortable the feeling of licking may be, do not react to it or show that you are much bothered by it.
If it’s a message you want to send in the gentlest way possible, the best way is to simply walk away. Do not make eye contact, do not talk to them and if needed, leave the room. If you repeat this behavior, they will most likely understand that it is not something you enjoy.
- Maintain The Message You Want To Send
Think about whether you really want to stop this habit of your dog. If one day you let them lick your feet and the next day you silently walk away when they try to do it, they will get mixed messages. It can be confusing for them and make them anxious as well. Hence, be consistent and clear about what you want to do.
If the licking continues excessively, despite your attempts at stopping your dog, it is important you find out the reason behind it. Speak to a vet or a professional and work with this problem accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Licking is the medium of communication for dogs and it is completely fine to let them do it if you really do not mind as well. If you observe your dog for some time, you will also notice that they lick almost everything in sight, which might stress you out even more.
However, licking comes naturally to your canine friend and if you want to indulge them in this behavior, it is completely alright as well. Just make sure to never punish them for it as that would be cruel and they will not understand why you are doing it. Dogs will be dogs and you should love your best friend for who they are.