Why does my dog lick my wounds?

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.
• There might be some science behind their slobbery instincts, but it’s not always safe to let dogs lick a wound.

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. While modern medicine’s come a long way since then, there is some science behind the idea – saliva contains proteins that can help fight infection and encourage wounds to heal faster. So, just like how kids suck on a scraped finger, wound licking in dogs is an instinctive action to try and “fix” you.

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. Along with the potential healing properties of their saliva, their tongues can clear away dirt, debris, or anything else that doesn’t belong.

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 feels.

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?

Dog licking wounds: The good

People often ask “Isn’t dog saliva healing?”. It’s true, research shows that saliva – both human and canine – contains proteins that can help heal wounds and fight off infections. Plus, the nitrite in saliva converts to nitric oxide when it comes into contact with your skin, offering an extra layer of protection against infection. Gentle licking can also remove dirt and debris from wounds, helping to keep it clean and potentially preventing further irritation.

Dogs licking cuts: The bad

As helpful as it might sound, letting your dog lick a wound isn’t always a great idea. Firstly, dogs licking wounds overzealously 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. In rare cases, meningitis has even been traced back to dog saliva.

How to discourage your dog from licking your wounds

Now you know it’s not the best idea 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 isn’t the healthiest choice. A good bandage, some TLC, and lots of pets (sans tongue) is the way to go!