A dog doesn’t do that by accident: It’s doing this to find out about you.

The affection of dogs often knows no bounds and their expression of love can border on the strange. Have you ever had a pet lick your feet on a regular basis? There can be several reasons, but one of them is the most common. What is it?

Dogs commonly lick or sniff their owner’s face, hands and other parts of the body. It’s their way of expressing affection. However, if they regularly lick your feet, this may point to several explanations.

Gathering information

Dogs have a great sense of smell, so they are interested in all sorts of smells. And licking is one of the ways they gather information. When they lick your feet, it means they are learning about you. They detect smells primarily through the olfactory receptors in their nose. By licking, they can then transmit odours to their oral cavity, where they analyse pheromones and chemicals.

Licking is therefore an ideal source of information. Your dog will know where you have been that day , whether you are healthy or what mood you are in. If he licks your feet regularly, it may not be a problem or indicate that you should wash. It simply wants to be close to you and connect with you through your senses. And this activity is a way to do just that.

Seeking attention

If your dog is lacking enough activity, he may start licking your feet out of boredom. Or it may be a way to get your attention, and your dog doesn’t know how else to do it. If you previously responded to his stimuli with laughter, petting or other gestures, he has learned to use licking as a means of arousing interest.

He likes the smell or taste

Human skin tastes like salt. If you are sweaty or have drops of water on you after a shower, this may trigger your dog’s interest. When you come out of the bathroom, you are also overwhelmed by the different scents from shower gel, shampoo, shaving cream and other products. He may find all these smells interesting and appealing, so he needs to taste and smell them by licking. In the same way, a dog may be attracted to razor cuts, as he is used to cleaning his wounds with his tongue.

Anti-stress aid

Licking can also refer to anxiety. If a dog is feeling stressed or anxious, licking is often a way of calming down. This is actually a subconscious habit that helps him find comfort. After all, it’s not surprising, since he’s carried it since puppyhood. Mothers routinely lick their puppies to give them peace, warmth and a sense of security.

Is this a problem?

Generally, if your dog occasionally licks your feet, it is nothing serious. Usually the dog enjoys this activity and it is a form of therapy, entertainment or exploration for the dog. However, if you feel that he is obsessed with this activity, it could indicate a behavioural problem.