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Pet owners believe that these are manifestations of love. But they are only partly right.
People are divided into two types: “Ugh, the dog licked my face” and “Mi-mi-mi, my little dog licked my nose.” Dog owners belong, of course, to the second. Pet kisses can really be cute. But are these always expressions of love and affection? Experts figured out and named at least five reasons why the dog licks your face.
1. This is love
Yes, you are right here. This is the first and main reason why the song strives to lick his man, says veterinarian Terrence Ferguson. Dog kissing is not always pleasant, but it is the way your pet expresses its feelings – along with jumping and wagging its tail. The dogs cannot speak about their love and how they missed them, so … drooling comes to the rescue.
2. This is a sign of anxiety
Puppies can lick a person to calm down or relax. As a child reaches for his favorite soft toy or blanket, so dogs crawl to the owner. Who else will console them? Puppies, by the way, are more prone to kissing than adult dogs. “They are new to this world, just trying to figure it out,” says Ferguson. “The puppies have no hands, so they use language.”
In the days when dogs were still wild, puppies licked their mother’s face to show her that they were hungry. So another reason is that your pet may be hungry. But don’t feed him immediately after hugging. He may decide that licking is the only way to get food, and then the saliva in your life will become even more.
3. They like your taste
Sounds awful, but don’t be intimidated. Human skin has a natural salty taste that dogs love. Therefore, they are happy to lick you after a workout or run, before you have time to wash off the sweat. And another terrible fact – tears are also to the taste of the dog. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t sympathize with you!
4. She is bored or hurt.
If the dog persistently crawls into your face, and at the same time also licks the legs of the chairs or even the carpet on the floor, then this may be a sign of a problem. The most harmless thing is that the dog is simply bored, you do not pay enough attention to it. However, this behavior may mean that the pet is in pain or vomiting. Therefore, if your pet suddenly became unrestrained in his tongue, then it is better to show him to the veterinarian.
5. It’s in the genes
As Pedigree experts found out, licking of the owner is inherent in the dog’s genes. This habit began when dogs were wild and lived in packs like wolves. Then the animals licked each other to strengthen their bonds within the pack or to show respect for the leader. So rejoice, you are an alpha person for your pet.
Caution!
Do not allow the dog to lick you if there are scratches or wounds on your face. And in general, it is worth keeping the pet’s face away from your mouth. Otherwise, there is a risk of picking up parasites from the dog. And what diseases pets can “reward” us with – read HERE.