Leg Licking In Dogs Explained: All The Reasons

Dogs are incredibly relational, social creatures. They bond easily with each other, humans, and many additional species. They love to explore their environments and discover new things to play with, sniff, and taste. One thing you may have noticed in your dog is how often it licks things – often its legs. From a young age, dogs’ mothers licked them to groom and comfort them. Because they are such extraverted and companionable animals, this instinctual habit sticks with them throughout their lives as a way to soothe others and themselves as well as bond with those close to them. But you may be wondering, “why does my dog keep licking its leg specifically?” Here are all the reasons why so many dogs lick their legs.

To Groom Themselves

Similar to cats, dogs like to groom themselves by licking their body. If you notice your dog licking its leg, it is probable that it is dirty in some way or just a step in its cleaning process. Because dogs are such active animals, they often collect debris and dirt on their legs when running outside, exploring unknown areas, and rolling around on different surfaces. After a long day of activity and exercise, dogs will instinctually begin licking themselves off in order to restore cleanliness. This is a completely normal and healthy habit and the most probable explanation for why you notice your dog licking its legs.

Allergies

When humans experience common allergic reactions, we often begin to itch our eyes or sneeze. For dogs, they resort to licking and scratching their front legs and paws. While dogs aren’t as susceptible to allergies as humans, they can still be affected by irritants and allergens due to the amount of time they spend outdoors. During all their running and frolicking, dogs can pick up certain allergens through the pores in their feet and lower legs. When this happens, they will begin to itch and lick at the spots where the allergens entered their system. This is fairly normal and not reason for much concern, but if it continues over an irregular period of time it may be wise to take your dog to see a veterinarian. A dog’s saliva is not ideal for healing wounds on their legs, and contact with the allergens over time can augment the issue rather than solve it. Generally, vets can provide dogs with an injection or oral supplement that will take care of the issue much faster than the natural healing process.

Tending to an Injury

Licking is a very comforting activity for dogs. If they have been injured through running, jumping, or other physical activity requiring their legs, they will most likely begin to lick themselves where they are experiencing pain. If you notice your dog licking its leg but not showing any other signs of pain, it is likely that they are just grooming itself. However, if the licking pervades for an excessive amount of time or it is limping and being more cautious physically, it could be possible that it has injured itself. If your dog is older and you are noticing this behavior, it is possible that the dog is suffering from arthritis. These issues can be remedied by a trip to the veterinarian to learn more about your dog’s injury and possible treatment options.

Parasites

Parasites sound like something foreign and scary, but they can be very common in dogs. Similar to the way they pick up allergens, dogs can often pick up parasites through their feet, often after wading through water or muddy areas. They can also host parasites in the form of fleas and ticks, which latch onto the dog’s skin externally and cause irritation and discomfort. If your dog is licking itself due to a parasitic infection, it is generally hard to treat with at-home remedies or solutions. The best course of action is to visit your local veterinarian and seek prescription and over-the-counter medication to help your dog feel its best again.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis refers to a type of skin inflammation typically located on a dog’s feet. Common symptoms include itching, red skin, hair loss, and of course excessive licking. This usually occurs on the dog’s feet, but can also spread up to their legs and be the reason for why your dog is constantly licking. If there are certain chemicals or irritants in the grass that your dog usually plays in, dermatitis can easily develop in their feet and lower legs. Sometimes, it may be as simple as the type of grass your dog is playing in, or if they are running through certain irritating weeds and vegetation. It can also arise from food sensitivities and allergies, but these causes are more rare. Dermatitis is easily preventable by washing off your dog’s feet with a bowl of warm water after it comes inside from playing. If the dermatitis has already developed, it can be treated through medicated baths or prescription medication, but you should speak with your veterinarian before pursuing these approaches.

Anxiety

Because dogs use licking to comfort themselves and others, it can sometimes develop into a coping mechanism for dogs who are experiencing stress or anxiety. Anxiety can come from a number of different causes, such as inadequate exercise, new environments, and loneliness. Other indicators of anxiety in dogs include panting, aggression, aimless pacing, and other compulsive behaviors. Ways to treat your dog’s anxiety include making sure it is getting plenty of exercise, paying lots of attention to it and spending time with it, and feeding it a balanced, nutritious diet. You can also purchase products like vests for anxiety, or see a veterinarian about certain medications if other methods do not seem to be working.

Conclusion

While dogs licking themselves and others is completely normal behavior, it can become excessive and irritating. The answer for their relentless licking is usually one that is completely fixable, and rarely requires the guidance of a veterinarian. On top of the do-it-yourself solutions listed above, you can purchase products like licking mats and harnesses to help redirect their focus and put an end to the undesirable behavior. Aside from possible issues associated with leg licking, it is a natural, generally healthy instinct that helps keep your dog clean, soothe it, and allow it to bond with other dogs and humans.