Nothing says I love you like feet licking. Like I’ve mentioned before, Zed can be a weird little dude. In his down time, he has a bit of a foot fetish. He goes to town licking my bare feet. Hands up if your dog does this, too.
Dogs are natural-born lickers — it’s a behavior that begins at birth and continues throughout their lives. Licking serves multiple purposes in a dog’s world: it’s a way to clean themselves, express affection, gather information about their environment, and even self-soothe when they’re feeling anxious or stressed. One particular behavior that many pet parents notice is their dogs’ fascination with licking feet. Let’s explore the reasons behind this common canine behavior and answer the question “Why does my dog like licking my feet?”.
Related: Why does my dog lick me after I shower?
A sign of affection
When your dog licks you, they’re actually engaging in a natural behavior that’s deeply rooted in their early development. From birth, puppies experience the soothing and nurturing act of being licked by their mother for grooming purposes, particularly before their eyes open. As they grow alongside their littermates, puppies participate in mutual grooming, establishing this behavior as a fundamental part of their social interactions.
What’s particularly fascinating is that when dogs lick, their brains release endorphins — natural “feel-good” hormones — as shown in scientific research. So when your dog licks you, it’s essentially their version of showing affection, similar to giving you a kiss. Additionally, if you’ve been exercising or sweating, your dog may be more inclined to lick you due to their natural attraction to the salty taste of perspiration.
Wants your attention
When puppies need nourishment, they instinctively lick their mother’s face — a behavior that naturally carries over into adulthood. As dogs mature, they learn that this action is an effective way to gain their human’s attention. Whether you respond positively or try to discourage the behavior, you’re actually reinforcing that licking achieves their goal of getting you to notice them. Breaking this clever habit requires consistent, dedicated training efforts.
Grooming behavior
When dogs lick your feet, they’re actually exhibiting behavior rooted in their early development. Similar to how their mother and littermates groomed them as puppies, and how they maintain their own hygiene as adults, your dog views foot-licking as a nurturing, cleaning activity. This instinct becomes even more pronounced if they detect an injury on your foot.
However, it’s important to note that a dog’s mouth contains high levels of bacteria. Because of this, any open wounds should be properly bandaged and protected. In fact, research has shown that individuals with diabetes need to take extra precautions, specifically recommending that they keep their toes and fingers covered while sleeping to prevent potential dog bites.
Related: Why does my fluffing dog stare at me when I sleep?
To soothe themselves
When dogs lick, it triggers the release of endorphins in their brains. These natural chemicals act as stress-relievers and mood-boosters. For anxious dogs, licking your feet can serve as a self-soothing behavior, particularly when they’re feeling stressed or are in new environments. The combination of your familiar scent and the calming effects of endorphins helps them feel more secure and relaxed.
Just curious
Dogs are naturally drawn to smelly feet after a long day at work. Despite what we might consider gross – like digging through garbage – dogs are fascinated by strong odors. The stronger your foot odor, the more interesting it becomes for your dog’s sensitive nose. Their remarkable sense of smell is 10,000 times more powerful than humans, allowing them to detect countless scents from a single sock. While it’s typically safe to let your dog sniff or lick your feet, avoid letting them do so if you’ve applied any lotions, ointments, or cosmetic products like nail polish, as these could be harmful if ingested.
Anxiety
When dogs experience anxiety, they may resort to licking as a coping mechanism. This behavior, which often includes licking their owners’ feet, serves as a self-soothing technique – much like humans might bite their nails or tap their fingers when feeling nervous.
The roots of this behavior can be traced back to puppyhood. Mother dogs naturally lick their puppies to provide comfort and care, creating a strong association between licking and feelings of security. As adult dogs, they may continue this learned behavior when seeking comfort or trying to manage stress.
Should I let my dog lick my feet?
Dogs licking feet is a common canine behavior that stems from their natural instincts and social bonding practices. While some pet owners find this behavior endearing and acceptable, others prefer to discourage it due to health and hygiene considerations.
Dogs use their tongues to explore their environment and show affection, and your feet may attract their attention due to the unique scent and salt from sweat. However, it’s important to consider both the behavioral implications and potential health aspects when deciding whether to allow this habit.
Why do dogs like the taste of feet?
Dogs lick humans’ feet because they’re naturally drawn to sweat and pheromones. When your feet sweat, they produce a salty taste that many dogs find irresistible. Your feet are also a rich source of pheromones, providing dogs with important biological information about you through their highly developed sense of smell and taste.