Dogs lick hands for a variety of reasons. Understanding the context around the behavior is key to deciphering what they are trying to communicate. Licking is a natural dog behavior that serves several purposes including showing affection, tasting scents, and relieving stress. While hand licking can be perfectly innocent, it may also indicate an underlying medical issue or anxiety.
Showing Affection
One of the most common reasons dogs lick hands is to show affection. Since licking is soothing and pleasurable to dogs, they will often lick other dogs and people they are fond of. Licking triggers the release of feel-good hormones in dogs similar to when humans hug. It is a social bonding behavior from puppyhood when they would lick their mother’s face. Gentle licking of hands typically means a dog likes that person and sees them as a member of their pack. It is a sign of acceptance and trust. They are expressing fondness in a natural canine way.
Some dogs may lick hands excessively as a sign of appeasement. Dogs aim to please, so excessive licking indicates they want assurance that their human is happy with them. It may also signal anxiety. Dogs will try to calm themselves and others through lactating behaviors like licking. If a dog licks hands constantly even when their human is relaxed, it may point to underlying anxiety issues.
Exploring Scents
Dogs have an excellent sense of smell that humans cannot even imagine. Their nostrils contain up to 300 million scent receptors while humans only have 6 million. They can pick up scents that people are oblivious to. When dogs lick skin, their taste buds allow them to pick up chemical signals related to mood. Licking hands allows dogs to explore scents and sense chemical changes. It provides them with a great deal of information about where the person has been, what they have touched, and emotional states like stress. Since smell is so central to how dogs experience the world, licking is like reading the pages of a book.
Seeking Attention
Dogs are social animals that thrive when they get attention from their human families. If they feel they are being ignored, they will often lick hands to get noticed. It is a way to say “hey, pay attention to me!” When owners pet and talk to them after hand licking, it reinforces the behavior since the dog gets what it wants. This means the dog is more likely to lick hands again in the future when craving attention. It is best not to inadvertently reward attention seeking licks so the dog learns more appropriate ways to get notice.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
While most hand licking is normal canine behavior, excessive licking to the point of creating wounds or irritation may signal a psychological problem. Dogs can develop obsessive compulsive disorders just like people. If a dog licks hands compulsively even when they are sore and cracked from too much licking, it may be a sign of a mental health issue. Obsessive paw licking and tail chasing are other common compulsive disorders dogs can develop. Anxiety is often the root cause. Consulting with a veterinarian and animal behavior specialist is recommended to help determine if anxiety or OCD is behind obsessive hand licking. Medication and behavioral training may be an effective treatment.
Medical Reasons
Sometimes excessive licking points to a medical problem rather than a behavioral one. Potential medical causes for increased hand licking include:
Allergies
Dogs lick to relieve itching caused by irritants. Saliva contains anti-inflammatory properties that provide temporary relief. If a dog seems to lick hands specifically after coming inside, he may be reacting to something he is allergic to outdoors like pollen or mold. Nutritional allergies can also cause itchy skin. A veterinarian can help pinpoint the allergy source.
Pain
Licking hands excessively may be an attempt to alleviate pain. Dogs instinctively know that licking a wound can promote healing. If they have a sore paw, arthritis, or other body pain, licking hands may comfort them. Massage and compression from licking can temporarily relieve discomfort. Consulting a vet can determine if pain is the cause.
Nausea
When dogs feel nauseous, they often lick compulsively to settle their stomach. Car rides and certain medications may trigger nausea and hand licking. Dogs also lick when they have an upset stomach or feel ill. Vomiting and diarrhea can also cause increased licking behaviors. A trip to the veterinarian can help determine if nausea is behind excessive hand licking.
Stress and Anxiety
Licking comforts dogs and helps them relieve stress. New environments, loud noises, unfamiliar people, and isolation from owners can cause anxiety that leads to increased hand licking. Changes in routine, moving homes, new family members, and boarding can also trigger stressed hand licking. Dogs lick familiar people’s hands to feel calmer. Making sure a dog’s environment is as stable and soothing as possible helps curb anxiety licking.
Nutritional Deficiencies
A lack of certain nutrients in a dog’s diet can cause odd food cravings and licking behaviors. Not getting enough B vitamins, zinc, and essential fatty acids may lead to excessive licking. A veterinarian can order blood work to check for nutritional deficiencies. Switching to a high quality dog food designed for the dog’s age and size can help restore any imbalances. Supplements may also be recommended.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Stomach issues that cause nausea and discomfort can lead to hand licking as well. Problems like inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, gastroenteritis, and gastric dilation can cause dogs to compulsively lick. Dogs may also lick hands excessively if they have dental pain, ulcers, or difficulty swallowing. Vets can perform examinations and diagnostic testing to pinpoint any gastrointestinal issues.
Neurological Problems
Medical conditions affecting the nervous system may contribute to obsessive hand licking too. Brain inflammation, tumors, hydrocephalus, and neurodegenerative disorders can manifest in strange behaviors like excessive licking. Dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome, often thought of as doggie dementia, may forget they just licked and do it compulsively. Medications and therapy can help control neurological compulsive behaviors.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs with separation anxiety dislike being left alone and experience panic when owners leave. To relieve their extreme stress, they obsessively lick hands before an anticipated departure. Some may even try to rub or scratch owner’s hands frantically with their paws. Making departures and returns low key along with providing stimulating toys can help ease separation stress over time.
When to See the Vet
Most hand licking is nothing to be concerned about. But if a dog develops red, irritated, hairless, thickened skin from repeated licking, that is a sign it has become excessive and a vet visit is needed. Any sudden increase in paw or hand licking merits a medical exam. See the vet promptly if hand licking is paired with:
– Aggression when licking is interrupted
– Digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
– Signs of pain like whimpering, reluctance to move, sensitivity to touch
– Neurological symptoms like tilting head, walking in circles, lack of coordination
– Anxiety behaviors like pacing, trembling, hiding, destructive actions
– Development of hot spots or infected skin wounds from licking
How to Discourage Excessive Licking
It is usually best not to harshly scold or punish dogs for hand licking since it is a natural canine behavior. Stopping it outright can cause more anxiety. Instead, owners should focus on resolving any underlying issues driving the behavior. Here are some tips to curb excessive licking:
– Provide plenty of exercise, enrichment, and affection so the dog feels calm and secure.
– Give the dog something oral to focus on instead like a puzzle toy filled with peanut butter. Frozen bones or treats can also substitute for hand licking.
– Try bitter anti-lick sprays and lotions designed to deter dogs from licking. Use sparingly since the taste could become aversive.
– Keep the dog’s skin and paws clean to minimize tempting smells and tastes.
– Cover licked hands with gloves or bandages so the skin can heal. Put socks over the dog’s paws if they are licking their own paws excessively.
– Reward and praise the dog when they are settled and relaxed rather than licking.
– Use apple bitter spray on items the dog licks like furniture or floors. The bitter taste helps curb the behavior.
– Rub hands with something unappealing before petting like vinegar or lemon juice to make licking less satisfying.
-Train “leave it” to stop licking hands on cue. Reward generously when they obey. Dogs aim to please owners.
– Try an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking wounds while they heal. Introduce its use gradually so it does not stress the dog.
– Ask the vet about anti-anxiety medication if anxiety seems to be the root of obsessive hand licking.
– Seek help from an animal behavior specialist if compulsive disorder seems likely. Training and environmental changes can help OCD behaviors.
Risks of Hand Licking
While hand licking is most often harmless, there are some health risks to be aware of according to veterinary research:
– **Saliva in wounds** – Any open cuts or sores on hands can get infected when exposed to bacteria in saliva. The infection risk is highest if the dog’s mouth is not clean.
– **Germs and parasites** – Dogs naturally have germs and parasites in their mouths that can be transmitted through licking. However, the bacteria and parasites found in dog saliva are rarely contagious to humans. Pasteurella and Capnocytophaga are examples of common dog oral bacteria. Giardia is an intestinal parasite shed in stool that is zoonotic.
– **Skin infection** – Constant licking of the same area can cause yeast or bacterial infections on the skin surface. Red, inflamed, oozing skin lesions may develop.
– **Nicks and scratches** – Dog teeth can scrape and scratch skin with repeated enthusiastic licking. Their rough tongues can also rub skin raw with excessive force.
– **Allergic reactions** – Some people may develop skin irritation, rashes, and itching when exposed to proteins in dog saliva. An allergy to dog saliva is uncommon but possible.
– **Hyperadrenocorticism** – Very rarely, persistent licking and chewing behaviors can be a sign of Cushing’s disease where the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol.
Overall, occasional hand licking from a healthy dog is nothing to worry about. But excessive licking that leads to skin damage or bleeding raises health concerns. It is also critical to wash hands after petting animals and before eating to prevent any illness transmission.
When Licking May Be a Good Sign
While excessive licking can be problematic, gentle licking in moderation is beneficial communication. Licking strengthens social bonding and indicates the dog is comfortable interacting with that person. Here are some circumstances when hand licking can be a positive sign:
– A dog licks someone they do not know well. This signals trust and acceptance of a new person.
– A rescued dog previously fearful of humans begins licking them. This shows their confidence is increasing.
– A dog licks a child’s hand. Licking is how dogs show affection to family members.
– A puppy licks an adult dog’s mouth to get regurgitated food. The adult dog tolerates this behavior from the pup.
– A dog licks another dog’s injured paw. The licking helps clean and heal wounds.
– A service dog licks his disabled owner’s hand to self-soothe. This demonstrates the bond between working dog and handler.
– A dog licks a person’s injured hand to help comfort them. The dog is showing empathy.
So in the right contexts, hand licking can signify friendship, trust, kindness, and healing. It strengthens social bonds. As pack animals, licking communicates to dogs that they are part of a family and are loved.
Conclusion
When dogs lick hands, they are communicating something. It may be a simple greeting or sign of affection. Excessive, obsessive licking can indicate an underlying medical or behavioral issue needs veterinary attention. Most hand licking is natural dog behavior and not harmful. Understanding the context and body language that surrounds it helps reveal what your dog is trying to say with a lick. With the proper training and care regimen, owners can curb problematic licking. While hand licking has some risks, it is generally a normal way dogs interact with humans and their world.