Why Does My Dog… Lick Me? Hint: It’s NOT Simply To Show Affection

2. It’s feeding time

Once puppies reach that awkward age — weaned from the teat, but perhaps still not ready for kibble — they lick their mother’s mouth. This is to inform her that they would like to be fed.

At this stage, puppies are not unlike baby birds. In the wild, mom may have to leave the puppies and forage for food. When puppies lick her mouth, she will regurgitate whatever she’s eaten and offer it to her young.

When dogs lick people, particularly about the mouth, what we may think of as a kiss may actually be a request for food.

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