Zed does a lot of weird stuff for a dog. He watches me while I sleep (creepy!). He likes to lick the air. And he loves to lick me after I shower. As I recently found out from friends, my dog isn’t the only one who exhibits this strange habit. Let’s take a look at why dogs lick you after you get out of the shower
Why does my dog lick me after I get out of the shower?
Dogs have many reasons for licking – it’s a behavior that serves multiple purposes in their daily lives. From expressing emotions to exploring their environment through sensory input, licking is an essential part of canine communication and interaction. When dogs lick their wounds, it can be either a natural healing instinct or a response to stress, as indicated by behavioral studies.
One common scenario where dogs display licking behavior is when their humans exit the shower. While we might interpret this as pure affection (and yes, they do love us!), the reality is more practical — they’re investigating the novel sensations of water droplets and interesting scents from our personal care products. Dogs use their tongues as a tool for gathering information about their environment.
Since dogs don’t have hands to explore their world like humans do, they rely heavily on their mouth and tongue to interact with and understand their surroundings. Their sense of smell works in conjunction with taste, allowing them to process information about textures, temperatures, and scents in their environment. When they lick us after a shower, they’re likely either enjoying the sensation of water droplets or investigating the unfamiliar scents of soaps and lotions on our skin.
Should I be worried about toxins from lotion or soap?
Generally speaking, it’s safe if your dog licks body wash or lotion off your skin. Most personal care products are non-toxic when ingested in small amounts, so there’s minimal risk if your pup sneaks a few licks after you apply lotion or get out of the shower.
However, you should exercise caution when letting your dog lick your skin immediately after showering, especially if you’ve recently shaved or have cuts. Dogs’ mouths contain numerous bacteria that could potentially cause infections if they come into contact with broken skin or open wounds. In these cases, it’s best to keep your dog from licking affected areas until they’ve fully healed.
FAQs
Why does my dog like when I shower?
Quality Time Together: Many dogs follow their owners into the bathroom because they view it as an opportunity to spend time with their favorite human. Since dogs are pack animals, they naturally want to be close to their family members, even during everyday activities like showering.
Protection Instinct: Dogs may feel protective of their owners when they’re in vulnerable situations, such as showering. By following you into the bathroom, they’re fulfilling their instinctive role as guardians and ensuring your safety.
Why does my dog rub her face on me after I shower?
Dogs engage in face-rubbing behaviors to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. This natural grooming instinct becomes particularly noticeable when they’ve encountered moisture or dirt in their environment. By rubbing their faces, they effectively remove debris, water droplets, and other unwanted substances that may have accumulated on their facial fur and skin.