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If you have more than one dog, you are likely to encounter some strange behaviors. We spend a lot of time with our pets and become accustomed to their actions and personalities. Many things they do may make us curious to know why, and one thing that might pop up from time to time is when one dog suddenly takes an interest in licking another dog’s ears.
If you have witnessed this behavior in your dogs, keep reading, and explore with us the possible reasons why dogs lick each other’s ears.
Why Do Dogs Lick Ears?
Trying to figure out our pets’ behavior is a favorite pastime for many of us. While no one can be sure what’s going on in our pets’ minds, we can get a pretty good idea, and strange behaviors like ear licking are always more fun to figure out. Let’s explore some possible reasons for this behavior.
1. Sign of Affection
One of the most likely reasons one dog might lick another dog’s ear is to signal a friendship. It’s very reasonable that the dog doing the licking is doing so as a greeting to a friend. It’s sort of like a handshake or maybe even a hug for humans.
2. Sign of Respect
It’s very possible that one dog might lick the ears of another dog as a sign of respect or appeasement. Many dogs still retain some of their pack animal mentality and ways of communicating between leaders and subordinates, although this will nowadays depend on their individual character, socialisation, and training. The dog doing the licking could demonstrate its submissiveness to the alpha, or the leader could be licking the ears of a subordinate who has done well at a certain task.
3. Grooming
One dog could simply be grooming the other. While licking oneself clean is usually reserved for cats, dogs do it too, and one could simply be helping another reach a particularly difficult spot.
4. Getting Attention
It could be one dog’s way of getting attention from the other. If one dog is sleeping, the other may choose to lick the ear to wake them up. If both dogs are awake, one dog may lick the other’s ear to convince them to play.
5. They Like the Taste
Experts say earwax tastes salty and musky, so we’ll have to take their word for it. Many believe that dogs simply like the taste of earwax and will get it where they can. Once they learn they like it or get an unplanned reward in the form of attention or praise, it can be hard to curb them from the behavior. Some dogs may show an interest in licking the ears of humans as well.
6. Sensing a Smell
Ear infections cause discharge, and this creates an odor that can attract other dogs. If your dog has picked up this behavior suddenly, it might be a good idea to check the other dog’s ear for signs of an infection. If you notice something, your dog has helped you get a jump on a health crisis.
7. Sensing a Medical Condition
If one dog is suffering from a medical condition, another dog might lick the ears due to a change in the sick dog’s body odour. It’s always a good idea to take a second to scan both dogs or consult with a vet to ensure no health conditions are present.
If the Licking Becomes Overbearing
If the behavior starts to bother the dog or it spreads to include humans, you can try to distract them with their favorite toys or give them some of their favorite treats. However, giving treats at the wrong time may also encourage the behavior, so be careful about the timing. Speak to your vet and rule out any underlying health issues or ear infections.
Is It Harmful?
Licking a dog’s ear isn’t exactly harmful, but the excess moisture is a direct path to an ear infection. It would help if you never allowed the behavior to occur without stepping in, and it’s important to tend to the ear immediately to clean and dry it. If you dry the ear quickly, there should be no harmful side effects at all.
Summary
Why do dogs lick other dogs’ ears? In our experience, one dog licks another one’s ear as a way of saying hello, especially if the two dogs weren’t together for a few hours and first thing in the morning when they are getting their first pets of the day. The second most common reason is that the offended dog may have an ear infection. Bad odor and discharge always attract other pets, and they will try to lick it, which can often make the condition worse. We recommend an immediate vet appointment to get it under control.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over our dive into this slightly disgusting topic and have learned something new about your pet. Hopefully, you are also better prepared for when the situation arises.
See also:
- Why Does My Dog Lick Walls? Should I Do Something?
- Why Dogs Lick Each Other’s Mouths? Vet Reviewed Reasons
Featured Image Credit: Olgaalisa, Shutterstock
