21
Aug
Why Does My Dog Want To Lick My Cuts. Thats one of the reasons why dogs love to lick you on the face. In addition to this human skin is slightly salty. When a dog licks a wound–or a newborn puppy–it cleans it in much the same way you might clean a counter with a sponge. He probably just likes the taste and contrary to popular belief dog saliva does not have healing properties so I dont recommend continuing to allow him to lick your wounds.
Your dog considers you as a part of their pack because their pack is their family. Licking wounds seems an instinctual reaction to the injury. This is a question that we often get from sitter and owners who work with Rover. There is a belief that dog saliva can heal wounds which dates back to Egyptian times. Part of this is due to affection and their presumed duty of care towards you. Dogs are ingrained to exhibit pack behavior with hand licking being part of that make-up.
Licking might offer some protection against certain bacteria but there are serious drawbacks to letting your dog lick wounds.
In addition to this human skin is slightly salty. And of course their saliva contains enzymes etc. New moms lick their puppies to clean them off help them start breathing and stimulate digestion and puppies will lick them in return. Licking can be an appeasement gesture that signals a dogs social deference. Licking wounds seems an instinctual reaction to the injury. Some dogs may be more attracted to feet because they smell.