My Dog Licks My Feet. Is That Normal?

You should be used to the unexpected toe licks by now. Say you just sat down on the couch, or have your legs hanging from a stool and all of a sudden you notice your dog is licking your feet.

Is this a bad habit or something you should be worried about? Absolutely not. This is completely normal. Let’s talk about why this happens.

Why do dogs lick feet?

Did you know that licking is a form of communication for dogs? As you should have noticed before, their way of showing affection differs, and this is just one way your dog tries to bond with you.

Dogs lick feet to show their humans affection or to get their attention. They also lick feet as a soothing mechanism, and it can be their way of cleaning you up!

Should I be worried?

Not at all. Licking your feet is unlikely to cause harm to your dog since you would never coat it with any harmful substances, and a little dust or dirt won’t do your dog any harm. If you don’t like it, simply redirect your dog’s attention to another object, like a toy or a frozen piece of fruit.

You should never tolerate or encourage biting.

If so, it may be a sign that your dog is teething or just needs a toy to help him/her get rid of all that extra energy. Never scold or beat your dog for completely normal behavior as it can interfere with your bond.