Lick: A sign of affection
If your dog keeps licking you, this is usually the case two occasions:
- On the one hand, this behavior is the case Greeting, This is the case, for example, after getting up or after returning from outside.
- On the other hand, many animals “work on” their owners even in quiet situations as a couple, for example when Cuddle, with the tongue.
If the animal “only” targets you and/or other caregivers, licking is actually always an option Sign of affection – So you shouldn’t worry too much that there’s something wrong with your loved one.
Things look a little different when the dog haphazardly licks almost everything: Then his focus is not only on people, but also on objects such as furniture, carpets and tiles. This behavior can also be carried out psychological or even physical suffering be favored – you can find out more about the topic here find.
Normal behavior of Dog mothers & Puppies
Licking loved ones is actually completely normal for dogs. The behavior is, so to speak, innate to the animals: licking is one of them earliest social interaction patterns, the dogs know. Mother dogs lick their puppies regularly. The dog children also like to work on each other with their tongues. This has several advantages:
- On the one hand, the dog family keeps each other clean, so it's a hygiene measure.
- On the other hand, the animals also pass on their smell to each other and give each other the feeling of being a real family.
When your dog happily licks you, he is integrating you into his family structure, so to speak.
Also older animals sometimes lick each other
But older dogs also sometimes lick themselves. Then it will Tongue as a means of communication used. It can often be observed that a lower-ranking animal licks its fellow animal around the mouth.
In this way, the four-legged friends signal submissiveness. Furthermore, dogs often use their tongues instinctively when playing: When they realize that they have “caught” a sensitive body part, they no longer nibble or bite, but rather lick.
Signaled Joy, submission & Trust
Dogs want to signal the same thing when they lick you: They show their joy, to be able to see you and also express their submissiveness. A four-legged friend who licks you considers you to be a higher-ranking family member or even accepted as pack leader.
Furthermore, licking also shows that the dog great trust has to you. If you allow it, you can also give this back to your four-legged friend, so this behavior can also strengthen the bond between the two of you.
Hash after Attention
In some cases, however, it's not just a happy gesture: it's also possible that the dog has a little selfish ulterior motive. Some dogs also use their tongues when they eat something neglected feel.
Then they usually lick your hand gently, sometimes the legs or feet are also the target. They usually want you to take care of them, for example to play with them. It could also be that the dog just wants to show you something interesting that he has discovered.
This form of communication is perceived by some dog owners as a bit intrusive, but it is very polite for the four-legged friend: compared to nudging or even barking, the animal shows a lot of respect by licking.
Sometimes can too appetite play a role
But occasionally it also plays appetite a role. If you've just eaten something tasty, chances are the dog will eat a few Leftover food sniffs and then would like his share.
Then he likes to lick his fingers, and there is also the threat of “slobber attacks” around the corners of his mouth.
Is licking by the dog dangerous?
If the dog wants to show you affection with his tongue, he really has good intentions. Many animal lovers don't mind it at all; they tend to see the licking attacks as a thing Kisses from the four-legged friends.
But that doesn't mean that licking doesn't have its critics. Some dog owners find it very unpleasant when their four-legged friend puts them through such trouble. It's not just hygiene concerns that play a role; fear of illness, which could be transmitted through dog saliva.
Sometimes you read in the media true horror stories of dog owners who have become seriously ill or even died because of the friendly gesture of their four-legged friend. Even if these are extreme exceptional cases, the question then arises: How dangerous is the dog's tongue?
Dog saliva has certain properties antibacterial Characteristics
Fortunately, dog saliva is better than its reputation: a US study published in 1990, for example, found that it is slight antibacterial properties has. For example, they help the dog protect himself or his puppies from germs such as Escherichia coli or Streptococcus canis to liberate. Immunoglobulin antibodies can also be detected in a saliva analysis of the four-legged friends.
This also explains why injured dogs like to lick their wounds: without veterinary treatment, this greatly increases their chances of survival Reduced risk of wound infections becomes. Before the advent of modern medicine, the saliva of four-legged friends also had a good reputation among healers: In the Middle Ages, there were so many doctors who “prescribed” their sick patients to let their dog lick them.
Tongue can too pathogens & Parasites transmitted
Despite these minor antibacterial properties, one should not make the mistake of ignoring the risks of dog saliva: In addition to antibodies, they can often also pathogens prove. These include, for example:
- The bacterium Pasteurella multocida, which usually does not cause any symptoms in dogs, but with bad luck can lead to life-threatening blood poisoning or inflammation of the lungs, bones and meninges in humans.
- The Capnocytophaga canimorsus Bacteria that are part of the mouth and nose flora but can be responsible for heart problems in people, among other things.
- Gastrointestinal bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella or Campylobacter.
Occasionally, too Parasites like worms transmitted from dog to person through licking. Some parasites are unable to survive in our bodies, but others – such as the fox tapeworm – also find excellent hosts in us.
When a pathogen switches from animals to humans or vice versa, experts also speak of one Zoonosis.
If your dog likes to lick, it should be dewormed
If your four-legged friend is on the move a lot and likes to lick you, you should definitely take the animal with you deworm regularly let. You can also find out more about “dewormers” here.
Mucous membrane contact avoid
These zoonoses are transmitted in a similar way to pathogens that pass from person to person: The closer you let the dog to you, the more likely a (droplet) infection is.
If the dog likes to lick your hands, you should definitely get them wash regularly with soap. When you're on the go, it's often worth buying a practical hand disinfectant.
You should rather avoid contact between the dog's tongue and mucous membranes: Many animals like to lick the lips or nostrils of their human caregivers. If you are worried about infection, it is best not to let the dog near your face.
Strange dogs be met with skepticism
You should also be very skeptical about friendly dogs that you don't know: Some four-legged friends are very open-minded and want to show you their affection with extensive licking. Since you can never know how the animal will be cared for, there is a clear problem increased risk of disease transmission.
Be careful Wounds & weakened immune system
You should exercise particular caution if you have one open wound have. If the dog licks them – and this can happen not only out of affection, but also out of helpfulness – the risk of infection is very high.
Furthermore, you have to be really careful when you use one weakened immune system has: Most life-threatening or fatal cases associated with dog licking affect people who have already suffered from previous illnesses.
Toddlers & Pregnant women should be spared
Also Small children under 5 years old and in particular Pregnant women If in doubt, it is better not to let the dog lick them: the risk of being infected with a zoonosis is particularly high.
Saliva as Allergen
Furthermore, there are some people who like dogs allergic react. Then a supposedly hypoallergenic dog that does not shed is often purchased. However, the term “animal hair allergy” is a bit misleading, because most of the time the sensitive reactions are not caused by the fur, but by the animal caused by the dog's saliva.
If you are allergic, you should definitely avoid letting the dog lick you.
Further precautions
To minimize the risk of dog saliva causing you harm, you should also pay attention to a few other things Precautions Value:
- When buying a puppy, choose a reputable, family breeder, as Campylobacter is often transmitted through puppies that have been kept inadequately.
- Maintain cleanliness in the house.
- Don't let the dog sleep in your own bed, give him his own space.
- Wash all blankets and other textiles that the dog comes into contact with regularly (ideally at 60 degrees or more).
- If you belong to a risk group, it is always advisable to go to the doctor immediately if you have any symptoms.