Why does my dog lick my wounds?

Updated 20/12/24

Why does my dog lick my wounds? Is it sweet? Gross? Helpful? Harmful? Let’s find out why your four-pawed pal’s so keen to help, and most importantly, whether you should let them.

Key takeaways

• Dogs instinctively lick their own wounds – and yours too – thinking it’ll help heal them.
• It is not safe or recommended for a dog to lick a wound or injury.

Why does my dog lick my wounds?

To help them heal 

Back in Ancient Egyptian times, doctors believed in the healing powers of dog saliva and even used it to treat wounds. Thankfully, modern medicine’s come a long way since then and it's no longer a treatment recommendation by medical professionals! Nevertheless, your dog may still try to lick your wounds. It's still not recommended to let your dog lick any wounds or injuries you may have. Instead rely on modern medicine and good hygiene to get your wounds healing well.

To remove dirt and debris

Our furry friends naturally like to keep things clean, which is why the cone of shame is needed to stop your dog licking their own wounds. Their tongues can clear away dirt, debris, or anything else that doesn’t belong. Be advised that washing with water and soap has a much more effective result than letting your dog lick your wounds to clean them.

To soothe you

Licking is a sign of love and comfort that pups learn from their fur moms. Whether you’re hurt or just feeling down, their instinct is to make you feel better by licking you. Plus it makes them feel good too, releasing serotonin into their brain and giving them all the happy feelings.

Your four-pawed pal’s love knows no bounds (slobbery kisses and all), so why not spoil them in return? Next time you’re away, find a trusted in-home dog sitter who’ll make sure your furry family member gets all the love and care they deserve.

Is it good for dogs to lick your wounds?

It's not advised to let your dog touch or lick a wound, or sore. Whilst their protective instincts want to help you, they can create further injury and infection, and there is no veterinarian or doctor who would recommend you let your dog clean your wound for you through licking.

Dogs licking wounds can delay healing by damaging the skin, reopening wounds, or dissolving stitches, making things worse instead of better. 

Most importantly, our furry friends’ mouths are full of bacteria, and while some are harmless, others can cause serious infections if introduced into an open wound. For example, a bacteria called Pasteurella can be transferred from their mouth to your wound, where it can thrive and potentially cause life-threatening infections.

In fact, there have been some cases where dog licks caused serious complications. One woman lost her fingers after her pup licked a small burn, and a man developed a kidney infection from bacteria introduced through a hand wound.

How to discourage your dog from licking your wounds

Now you know it’s not recommended at all to let your dog lick your wounds, how do you stop them?

• Cover your injuries: Clean the wound and keep it covered to protect it from your pup’s tongue.
• Redirect their affection: Train your furry friend to show their love in other ways, like snuggling or offering a paw.
• Avoid encouragement: Don’t praise or reward licking behavior – it’s cute, but not worth the risk!
  

While your dog’s intentions are pure, letting them lick your wounds is a terrible idea. Focus their attention on other activities such as walks, toys or puzzle feeders to keep their brains occupied on something other than your injuries. If you have been letting your dog lick a wound, seek care from a medical professional straight away. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.