If you have ever wondered, “Why does my dog lick my cuts?”, you’re not alone. A dog will often lick its own wounds, as well as those of humans. The reason for this behavior is usually quite simple: your dog is uncomfortable. It’s instinctive to lick a wound to relieve itself of pain. But there are a couple of different reasons why your dog will lick your wounds.
First, don’t reward your dog when it licks your wounds. If you want to stop a dog from licking your wounds, try providing treats before they begin licking. Then, as soon as they divert their attention to the treat, reward them for their behavior. In this way, you’ll reinforce your dog’s desired behavior. If your dog is too excited about the treat, he might be tempted to lick your wounds too.
Another reason why your dog licks your wounds is to remove dirt and debris. It works as a cleansing agent because it has antibacterial properties. Its saliva contains enzymes that break down the cell walls of bacteria. It also cleans dirt and delivers antiviral compounds. It may sound like a strange behavior, but dogs are actually using their tongues to heal themselves. So, while it may not heal your wound, it’s still worth it.
In addition to cleaning the wounds, licking human wounds may also be an important part of your dog’s healing process. Dogs are naturally drawn to lick other dogs’ wounds as they feel a responsibility to do so. Ultimately, your dog’s instinct will help it heal. It doesn’t mean that it will turn into the next Cujo, but it is a good idea to supervise your dog’s behavior to make sure your dog doesn’t hurt you.
Although humans can’t heal their own wounds, dogs have an instinctual ability to soothe their injured companions. Dogs’ saliva contains properties that make it useful in healing wounds. The bacteria in your dog’s saliva also cleanses the wound area. Dogs’ licking behavior may also help prevent infections, reopen wounds, and hot spots. But, licking too often can be harmful to your dog.
One of the most common myths about why dogs lick your cuts is that their tongues are cleaner than ours. This is a mistake, as dog saliva contains bacteria that can lead to infections in humans. In fact, both humans and dogs have over 600 different species of bacteria in their mouths. And it’s possible to get rabies from your dog’s licks. In fact, one woman’s small burn resulted in her losing all of her fingers, toes, and even her leg.
There’s another reason for your dog to lick your cuts. Unlike humans, dogs only have a mouth to provide basic medical care. Their saliva contains enzymes and bacteria that promote healing. By licking the wound, dogs remove the loose skin and dirt from the sore. Their saliva is not nearly as effective as the antibacterial products you buy for humans, so it doesn’t work as well. In addition to cleansing your dog’s mouth of bacteria, dogs also help stimulate the flow of blood to the area.
