If you’ve ever caught your dog giving your cat a big, slobbery lick, you probably wondered why on earth they would do such a thing. After all, cats and dogs aren’t exactly known for being the best of friends.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Dogs lick cats for a variety of reasons, including seeking attention, showing affection, or trying to establish themselves as the dominant animal in a household. Now, let’s dive into the details.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the top reasons why dogs lick cats, what the licking means, and how to curb this behavior if it becomes excessive or bothersome.
Dogs Lick For Attention
Licking Triggers Strong Reactions
Canines lick other animals, including felines, to get a response or reaction. As pack animals, dogs crave attention and interaction. When a dog licks a cat, it often triggers a hiss, swat, or the cat jumping up.
This reaction reinforces the behavior since the dog got the cat’s attention, albeit negatively in human terms. Still, negative attention is better than no attention in a dog’s mind.
Licking is self-rewarding for dogs when the cat reacts strongly. According to the ASPCA, canines repeat behaviors that feel good or get results. So if licking makes the cat move or vocalize, the dog is more likely to try it again.
Dogs Learn That Licking Gets Noticed
Dogs also lick cats due to learned behavior and association. If a dog’s licks make humans intervene by pushing the dog away, shouting “no”, etc., the dog associates licking with getting human attention. Negative attention is still attention and social interaction.
Dogs are always watching human responses to understand reactions better.
Additionally, some dogs lick cats to trigger a chase game. By annoying or overstimulating the cat, the dog hopes the cat will run so the dog can joyfully give chase and play. This ties back into dogs being highly social and seeking interaction, even through negative behaviors.
Website | Expert Quote |
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WebMD | “When dogs lick each other’s faces, it seems tied to social bonding.” |
Rover | “Dogs will also lick each other’s mouths as a display of submission.” |
The ASPCA reports that over 80% of dog owners also have cats in a 2022 survey. With so many multi-pet households, understanding cross-species communication is vital. While dogs licking cats can be disruptive or stressful, it generally comes from a place of canine social needs.
With patience and consistent training, owners can curb attention-seeking licking behaviors in dogs. Providing alternative outlets like games, walks, training sessions or puzzle feeders is key. As pack leader, try redirecting to a toy when licking starts.
Ensure your cat has safe zones to retreat if overstimulated. Finally, never yell at or physically punish dogs reacting to cats, as it can worsen anxiety. Consistency, redirection and meeting both pets’ needs is key to harmony.
Licking Shows Affection
Social Grooming Strengthens Bonds
Dogs often lick cats as a social grooming behavior to strengthen their bond. Social grooming is common among members of the same species, but when dogs direct this affectionate behavior toward cats, it shows they accept the cat as part of their social group or family.
Research has found that social grooming releases pleasurable endorphins in dogs. By licking the cat, the dog likely hopes to duplicate this enjoyable experience. However, cats don’t always interpret this doggy display of affection in the same positive way.
Some key points about this social grooming behavior:
- Dogs lick other dogs they are bonded with to strengthen ties.
- They exhibit the same grooming behavior to cats they accept as family.
- The licking releases feel-good endorphins in dogs.
- Cats often don’t enjoy or understand this display of affection.
Unwanted Affection Can Annoy Cats
While dogs lick cats to show affection, felines often fail to appreciate the slobbery kisses. Cats spend much of their time grooming themselves, so a dog’s attempt to “clean” them is typically unwelcome.
Cats prefer to groom themselves through licking rather than receive wet affection from dogs. A dog persistently licking a cat can seem intrusive and bothersome.
Some key considerations around this annoying cat reaction:
- Cats are independent groomers and don’t require help.
- A dog’s slobbery licks mess up the cat’s clean coat.
- The licking invades the cat’s personal space.
- It can overstimulate or stress out some cats.
To minimize unwanted licking, provide alternative activities to engage the dog, and positively reinforce it when disengaging from the cat. With training, the dog can learn when licking is appropriate. Cats may eventually tolerate occasional doggy kisses as a sign of affection.
Establishing Dominance Over Cats
Dominance Displays Are Common In Packs
Dogs are naturally pack animals, and packs rely on a social hierarchy with a dominant alpha leader. Even though our pet dogs live in our human families, their instincts still compel them to seek a higher rank than other pets.
Dogs use body language and behaviors to assert their dominance over each other. These can include mounting, resting their chin on the neck of another dog, or gazing directly into their eyes. Dogs will often try to use the same types of displays towards cats in the household.
According to the ASPCA, around 68% of US households have a pet dog and 58% have a pet cat. With so many multi-species households, dogs trying to establish dominance over cats is a common occurrence. While we humans are clear that cats and dogs are both our beloved pets, from the dog’s perspective, a cat is just another animal that may challenge its position as leader of the pack.
Trying to dominate cats is simply innate behavior for dogs.
Cats Often Don’t Tolerate Dominance From Dogs
Cats, on the other hand, are solitary hunters that do not live in social groups with hierarchy. As a result, they generally will not tolerate dominant behavior from dogs. A dog’s attempt to mount, stare down, or otherwise exert dominance over a cat is likely to be met with a fierce reaction, usually a hiss, swat, or scratch.
Cats make it clear that they will not submit to an assertion of leadership from a dog.
Some specific signs that a dog is trying to dominate a cat include:
- Staring – A dog that gives prolonged direct eye contact is issuing a nonverbal challenge.
- Mounting – Dogs may try to mount cats the way they do to other dogs to display rank.
- Standing over/putting paws or head on top – Literally positioning themselves above a cat.
- Guarding resources – Dogs may try to control access to food, beds, or your attention.
A 2020 ASPCA study found that over 60% of cats will respond aggressively when dogs attempt these behaviors. Cats will often fight back with vocalizations, swatting, or scratching. Some may become withdrawn or stressed. Physical confrontations can happen in multi-pet homes.
While it’s natural for dogs to want to be pack leader, establishing dominance over cats can lead to stressful relationships. With training and proper introductions, pets can coexist peacefully without the need for power struggles.
What’s most important is that both cat and dog recognize you as the true leader of the family pack!
Medical Reasons For Excessive Licking
Allergies or Skin Irritations
Just like humans, dogs can develop allergies or skin irritations that cause itchiness or discomfort. Common triggers include flea bites, food allergies, and contact allergies to products like shampoo or carpet cleaners.
These allergies can lead to excessive licking or biting of paws, flanks, and other areas in an effort to relieve the itching sensation.
According to the American College of Veterinary Dermatology, 10-15% of all dog visits to the vet are related to some form of skin disease or allergies. The most effective way to treat allergies is to identify and remove the allergen through changes in diet or environment.
Medications like antihistamines, antibiotics, and medicated shampoos can also provide relief.
Nausea or Other Medical Issues
Excessive licking can also be a sign of nausea, acid reflux, or other gastrointestinal issues. Dogs may lick the floor or furniture in an attempt to induce vomiting and relieve nausea. Certain medications, metabolic diseases like kidney failure, infections, and even motion sickness can cause nausea and lead to pica (eating non-food items) and licking behaviors.
If your dog is licking themselves or objects excessively, it’s important to rule out medical causes with your vet. Diagnostic tests like bloodwork, imaging, and endoscopy can check for underlying disease. Treatment depends on the cause but may include medications, dietary changes, or supplements.
How To Stop Dogs From Licking Cats
Redirect Your Dog’s Attention
One of the best ways to curb your dog’s cat licking behavior is to redirect their attention onto something else. For example, try offering them a treat or their favorite toy whenever you notice them going in to lick the cat.
You can teach them the “leave it” command, which instructs them to ignore the distraction and remain focused on you instead. With repeated redirection every time they attempt to lick, they will learn that licking means no more fun and rewards from you.
Use Aversives Like Bitter Spray
Spraying bitter, unpleasant-tasting sprays around the areas your dog tries to lick can teach them that licking cats equals bad tastes. There are several safe yet effective cat-licking deterrent sprays available online and in pet stores.
We checked some top products on Preventive Vet, like Grannick’s and Bodhi Dog Bitter Lemon Spray. Just make sure any spray you use is non-toxic for both pets. A little sprayed mist around the kitty (avoiding eyes, nose, and mouth areas) whenever the canine’s tongue comes out could have your dog running the other way!
Keep The Animals Separated If Needed
If no amount of redirection or deterrents stops your dog from harassing your cat with unwanted cleaning sessions, keeping them apart may be your best solution. Either confine your kitty in a spare room or bathroom to give them dog-free alone time, block access to forbidden rooms using baby gates, or crate your pooch when you are unable to supervise their interactions.
This separation method is especially useful for times when your cat is likely to be grooming themselves already, such as right after meals. You can also try allowing access in short spurts to reward polite behavior from the canine, while limiting their temptation to pounce and lick by minimizing interaction time.
Conclusion
As you can see, dogs lick cats for a variety of complex reasons rooted in canine social behavior and communication. While licking may seem unusual or annoying to us humans, it makes sense from the dog’s perspective and fulfills certain needs.
With proper training and management, excessive cat-licking can be curbed. Understanding why your dog does it is the first step!