Medically Reviewed by Dr. Majid Tanveer, DVM
As a dog owner, you love your dog at its best.
And you get worried whenever something is out of order or unusual.
But something usual that makes you wonder is when your dog licks.
You must know if it’s okay or unhealthy.
Why does my dog lick other dogs’ ears?
They do it for multiple reasons. To begin with, they would lick other dogs’ ears to give a friendly greeting. Your dog might also be licking ears for the taste of it. It can also be due to grooming. Finally, your dog might start licking another dog’s ears when it gets boring.
You just have had a head-up to the central part. Read along to learn some of the valuable drills about your pet.
What makes you wait? Get into the central part now!
Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs’ Ears?
Your dog licking ears is nothing unusual, like licking his lips. He might lick other dogs’ ears for multiple reasons. But not all of them are okay. You need to look out if it is alright or not.
Please take a look to learn about them in detail.
Reason 1: Friendly Greet
Just imagine one human licking another human’s ear. It would be bizarre, right? But animals express the warmth of welcome by licking the other one.
And licking ears can be healthy times, like your dog having lettuce. It can be beneficial because it enhances their emotional and mental state.
Usual dog behavior theory claimed supremacy was essential to their daily lives.
Ear licking while meeting a dog is considered normal, respectful behavior. This theory worked its way into behavioral training as well. However, it was later discredited.
But, it is more accurately described as appeasing conduct. This shows that the dog is friendly and respectful of other dogs. These are followed by more subservient body language and stances.
Licking other puppies, raising paws, and smiling submissively are all examples of appeasement behavior.
Usually, most pet owners think it signals a fight when dogs lick other dogs’ ears. But you can understand now that it is just a greeting.
Reason 2: Dogs Like The Taste
When your dog licks its ears, it can taste something. And the taste it feels seems excellent. As a result of this, your dog keeps on licking its ears.
Yes, I know it sounds bizarre. But it happens! And it looks gross too. Because it’s not only that they taste, but they also like licking infected ears.
The scent of some ear wax can pique their attention.
They sometimes like things that are not good for them, like licking pillows.
The wax a dog has in its ears seems tasty to the dogs. Other than the taste, dogs also like the smell of ears while licking.
This combination of taste and smell attracts them to lick other dogs’ ears. And that is why they like to lick other dogs’ ears.
This must be gross to you. In that case, you should stop your dog from licking when you notice something filthy.
Reason 3: Lack of Grooming
A dog doesn’t have the same status as a cat in grooming. They lick themselves to keep clean.
On the other hand, cats have learned the subtle use of the paw to groom, while dogs have not.
The dog whose ears are being licked may also be pleased with the attention. Dogs appreciate assistance in getting to those hard-to-reach places.
Getting their ears licked is also a pleasurable experience for many dogs. There is a chance that excellent intentions are present.
Ear licking, on the other hand, might lead to infections rather than cleaner ears. This can have a similar reaction to when they chew their nails. It can be harmful to the stomach.
Thus, it would help if you did not overlook it when your dog overlicks your ears.
Bacteria and yeast prefer damp settings to flourish in. And another dog’s persistent licking can bring even more moisture. This may eventually aid in the spread of illness.
Reason 4: Boredom Or Monotonousness
A dog likes it when he remains busy or engaged in activities. Well, they are not usually as lazy as humans. They get bored when they have nothing to do.
This boredom or monotonousness can even make them do something crazy at times. And most of the time, your dog would start licking when bored.
If there’s another dog around, he will start approaching and licking. In addition to that, you already know ear wax works them up.
Thus, it would be a bonus if they smelled the ear wax or any infections. But if you have another fresh dog at home, it is alright. And try to keep the ears of your dogs clean.
Licking ears can become risky if it’s of a stranger or stray dog. Otherwise, a petite licking of the ears is excellent for your dog.
How to Stop My Dog from Licking Ears?
Stopping your dog from licking its ears can be as simple as thinking. All you need is to divert his mind from what he is doing.
That is, you need to replace the actions with something better. You can give your dog something else to lick, which is not unhealthy.
Like, a chicken or beef bone can be a good one to replace. They would love to lick that and would keep on doing that.
You can also try letting your dog fetch and divert his mind. But do not forcibly let your dog come out of that situation. This might hamper his mental state.
This is how you can quickly stop your dog from licking its ears.
FAQs
Should I stop my dog when he starts licking me?
No, it would help if you did not stop your dog when he licks you. You may stop him if you need to shower or anything. Your dog generally licks you to show the affection he has for you. Thus, it is beautiful if your dog licks you quite often.
Are licking ears similar to licking butts?
No, it is a straight no. Dogs licking another pet’s butt can be problematic in many ways. The primary problem is that it can get filth inside the mouth. And eventually, germs can get in and make your dog sick. Thus, licking ears is not similar to licking the butt.
Is it okay if my dog licks a lot?
This question does not have a fixed solution. But it’s better to get your dog off licking often. Excessive licking can sometimes be problematic due to filth getting inside the mouth. But it is usually safe if your dog licks around neat stuff.
