Are you wondering why your dog licks their toys?
There’s a simple reason behind this behavior: hygiene! You see, dogs lick themselves to clean away dirt and bad smells.
They also use their tongues to remove bacteria from their fur and skin.
This is especially important during hot summer months when they’re likely to sweat more than usual (and therefore have more bacteria on them).
And it can be helpful if you need something else to do while watching TV: just watch your pup go at it for a while!
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Toys?
Dogs have different reasons for licking their toys and here are some of them:
- They like the taste
- They want to get rid of the smell
- They are bored
- They are anxious or stressed out.
What do dogs do when they lick their toys?
You may have witnessed a dog licking its toy before.
The most common reason is that they are trying to clean it.
This can be because the toy has gotten dirty or because the dog wants to remove any leftover smells from their previous playtime sessions.
Another possible reason why your dogs lick their toys could be that they are trying to play with them.
They might have seen you playing with toys in this way in the past, so now they want to join in on the fun as well!
Learn More:
Is licking a toy a way that dogs show affection?
You may have heard that dogs lick their toys because they like the taste of them.
While this is true, it’s not the whole story.
Another possibility is that your dog licks its toys as a way of showing affection and love for its owner.
Dogs often lick objects when they show affection toward people or other animals, so if your dog licks you frequently then this may explain why he or she also adds new toys into the mix!
However, if your dog has been taught that licking is acceptable behavior, he might use this habit as a way to show dominance over others.
In these cases, licking should be discouraged immediately so that it doesn’t become a habit!
Do dogs understand that licking their toys is weird?
It is hard to say whether or not dogs understand that licking their toys is weird.
Dogs lick because they are bored, anxious and stressed out, happy, curious, and want to clean them.
So what you might be seeing your dog do right now is not a sign that he thinks you are weird but rather one of these other reasons.
Conclusion
We are not sure whether dogs understand their own behavior, but they certainly like it.
Licking is a way to show affection and even a way to express themselves.
They are very smart animals and there are many things you can learn from them.
So if your dog licks its toys, don’t be surprised! Just enjoy the moment and share with us on our Facebook page!
