Why Does My Dog ​​lick Other Dogs’ Ears

Dogs are in constant communication . In fact, almost everything they do, from the slightest movement or behavior that might seem strange to us, is, in fact, a way of communicating. An example of this is when your dog licks another dog’s ear.

To communicate with each other, dogs use gestures, their body or the sound of their voice , in the same way as humans, albeit in a more “primitive” way. Among these forms of communication is licking the ears of other dogs, which usually represents an act of personal hygiene or “preparation”.

Two dogs that live in the same house, spend a lot of time with each other, or always go out and play together if they consider themselves members of the same herd. Therefore, for them, hygiene between them is common.

What does it mean to lick each other?

In addition to the need for hygiene, licking each other corresponds to an act of respect and affection as companions of the same herd.

Another reason they do this is to protect themselves from hearing disease . Since dogs cannot lick and clean their own ears, they do it with others (and others with them) to keep themselves clean and avoid health problems.

Another hypothesis about this custom is that dogs just like the taste of other dogs’ earwax and so they lick the ears of other animals.

This hypothesis may be true if we consider that this wax is salty. Since they are omnivores with a preference for a carnivorous diet, dogs prefer these flavors. Also, when licking, they can taste the salty skin inside the ear.

matter of senses

Dogs, like us, experience the world through the senses. . However, they favor different sensations from ours, as their more developed senses are hearing and smell, which are strongly linked to taste.

This means that dogs use their taste buds to experience the world around them and learn that way. Therefore, this behavior is normal. It means that they enjoy a place in the herd, identify with it, feel comfortable in their group. and achieved adequate emotional development.

When to pay attention to this behavior

Although it’s absolutely normal to lick other dogs’ ears, must  pay close attention when it becomes a compulsive attitude .

The problem when the dog does this too often and for a long time is hurting another dog’s ear and causing health problems due to excess moisture in the ear canal.

This is a situation that must be corrected, so remain alert for the following situations :

• The dog has redness in the pink region, inside the ear.
• The dog itches a lot and shows signs of pain.
• Bleeding.
• Excessive moisture.
• More than 15 minutes licking another dog’s ear.
• Bad smell in the ears.
• Sign of swelling and wounds.