So, have you ever wondered why do Chihuahuas lick so much? Chihuahuas are even known to lick the floor, paws, and human feet. Well, don’t go anywhere, you’re about to find out the reasons!
Chihuahuas are dogs with a reputation for being feisty and stubborn. And while that’s true for many Chihuahuas, it’s also true that individual dogs can have very different personalities! Despite their reputation, Chihuahuas (like any other breed of dog) enjoy licking and will do it happily in certain situations.
However, like humans and all other animals, they often lick when they’re nervous or anxious. This is because licking releases the hormone oxytocin, which makes us feel happy and relaxed; basically, it acts as a natural anti-anxiety drug.
Besides making your pup feel better when he or she is feeling frightful or tense, oxytocin also increases the bond between you and your furry friend.
When a pup licks its owner’s hand, face, or feet, it’s saying that he feels comfortable with that person – which essentially makes him trust his owner.
There are many other reasons why Chihuahuas lick so much; for example, large amounts of licking may indicate an issue with the dog’s teeth or mouth. A trip to the vet might be required in this case! However, why do Chihuahuas lick so much?
Contents
- 1 Why do Chihuahuas lick so much? (6 Reason)
- 2 How To Stop Your Chihuahuas From licking so much?
- 3 Why Do Chihuahuas lick the floor?
- 4 Why Does My Chihuahua Lick My Face?
- 5 Why does my Chihuahuas lick his paw?
Why do Chihuahuas lick so much? (6 Reason)
Chihuahuas lick so much because they enjoy it, and it makes them feel better when they’re nervous or anxious! Other reasons why Chihuahuas lick so much includes:
1. Sign of Affection
Licking can signify affection or bonding with you or other animals. This is probably the biggest reason why Chihuahuas lick so much because they are very affectionate and playful animals.
If they aren’t getting enough attention through cuddles and playing, then they will lick your face to get your attention!
They simply love to explore their surroundings too, which means licking everything in sight – food included! (And no, this isn’t good for them)
2. Marking Territory
Licking is one way that Chihuahuas mark their territory; it’s like leaving a personal “scent message” for everyone to know who owns what/who.
Do you know how some dogs lift their leg on things? It’s kind of like that, but much less aggressive.
3. High Prey Drive
Chihuahuas have a high prey drive because their ancestors were bred to hunt mice and rats in underground mines. So when your little guy finds something interesting to play with, they’re going to try and “take it down” by wrestling and licking it!
This is also why some Chihuahuas will be overly protective of their food – they think you might take it away from them (even though we know they get plenty).
4. Sign of Stress or Anxiety
Licking can actually be a sign of stress or anxiety; this happens more often than not with rescue dogs who haven’t been socialized properly before coming into their new homes.
Check for other signs such as nervousness, low energy, hiding, shivering, etc. It could also be due to a poor diet or an underlying health issue!
5. The Release of Oxytocin
It releases the hormone oxytocin, which naturally reduces stress and increases bonding with their human.
6. Teething
A lick-happy puppy may just be teething; their teeth haven’t come in yet, so they’ll try anything to soothe the pain/irritation on their gums. Just make sure nothing is stuck in there or hurting them – if it is, then see a vet.
If your Chihuahua is frequently licking, make sure you take him to the vet for an examination and some blood tests. It could be caused by many health problems such as allergies or an illness like diabetes.
If the underlying cause cannot be found and remedied, there are also medications available to help control excessive licking (such as anti-depressants).
How To Stop Your Chihuahuas From licking so much?
It’s not uncommon for Chihuahuas to lick frequently; it can even be considered normal behavior in some cases! So if your little guy has taken a liking to this pastime (and you DON’T want him to continue), here are a few suggestions on how to break them of this habit.
1. Don’t give them attention for licking things – if they aren’t getting what they want, then it’s only a matter of time before the behavior stops.
2. Make sure that your little guy has someone to play with or cuddle with at all times! You don’t have to let him climb ALL over you, but he should be given other opportunities to get his affectionate fix too. For example, sit down and play with Chihuahuas often so he knows he can have your attention when he needs it most.
3. Get rid of anything that is being licked excessively – if their food gets licked clean every time they eat, then take it away. Also, make sure nothing is stuck in their mouths or could be hurting them/causing other issues.
4. If your Chihuahua is licking excessively due to stress or anxiety, then give him plenty of love and affection! When they feel neglected, the behavior only amplifies. They need all the attention you can give!
5. The last reason why Chihuahuas lick so much – teething. Just let them chew on everything that isn’t valuable or dangerous (don’t leave them alone with something they might choke on!). As their teeth come in, this behavior will decrease, usually within a matter of weeks.
If these tips don’t help or an underlying medical issue causes it, some medications can assist in the control of excessive licking. It will take time to fix this problem, but the results will be well worth it!
Read Also:
- Why Do Dachshund Lick So Much (10 Reasons)
Why Do Chihuahuas lick the floor?
Chihuahuas are one of the most lovable and affectionate pets, but they have a few quirks that some people find a little odd. One of those quirks is their tendency to lick the floor constantly.
It’s not because they are hungry or dirty; there is an actual reason behind this behavior – read on.
Different reasons why Chihuahuas lick the floor
As cute as it is to watch, there are many different reasons why Chihuahuas may be licking the floor. Some other possible reasons include:
1. To get attention
It should not be surprising that one of the most common reasons why Chihuahuas attempt to lick your shoes or feet is because they want your attention.
If you pay less notice to your dog’s behavior, they will find a way to attract more attention. One of these ways sometimes happens to be licking floors and surfaces to get their owner’s attention.
Although this kind of behavior can seem like a nuisance, it shouldn’t bother you too much, especially if you understand where it comes from.
2. To show submission
By licking the floor or another surface, Chihuahuas are subconsciously attempting to submit themselves to you. As mentioned earlier, they find a way to attract your attention, and by licking a surface that you walk on, they attempt to submit themselves as lower beings in your eyes.
This behavior is even more common among very young Chihuahuas as it is a way for them to try and bond with their owners.
If this is displayed towards children, then it’s important not to treat this behavior as wrong as it can be seen as cute from a young age.
3. Get rid of excess saliva.
Chihuahuas might start licking floors out of necessity rather than desire. After eating, dogs produce excess saliva, which may cause them to spend an additional 20 minutes licking the floor to get rid of that saliva.
If this is common with your Chihuahua, then it might be a sign that there’s something wrong with their digestive system, and you should consult your vet immediately.
4. Get rid of the food they don’t like.
Sometimes, Chihuahuas may attempt to lick the floor because they are trying to get rid of the food they found unfit for consumption. You have probably poured some food on the ground accidentally at some point, so if your dog starts licking the area where you spilled food, then it’s nothing serious; they are just trying to clean up after themselves.
5. To mark their territory
Last but not least, one reason why Chihuahua may be licking the floor is to mark their territory.
If you have recently introduced any new items in your home, whether it’s a dog bed or toy, your dog might start licking the surface of these objects to claim them as their property.
6. To get rid of drool
Like dogs produce excess saliva after eating food, they sometimes produce excess saliva after drinking water. The liquid might cause some drooling which Chihuahuas will try to clean up either by using their tongues or paws.
If this is common with your pet, it’s nothing serious and should not require immediate attention from the vet. However, if it happens frequently, there might be something wrong with your dog’s system that you should consult the vet about.
7. To sweep the floor
In some cases, Chihuahuas might start licking floors simply because they want to clean up after themselves. If you have a Chihuahua that regularly spills food or liquid on the ground, then it’s nothing serious, and your dog is just trying to help out with cleaning up after people walk around their home.
Effect of Chihuahuas licking the floor?
There are dangers or side effects of Chihuahuas licking the floor excessively.
Some of these dangers are very serious, and others may not be as severe, but either way, one should be aware that there is a risk associated with allowing a Chihuahua to lick the floor.
1. Disease
The first possible side effect of Chihuahuas licking the floor is a disease. Many people think that all dogs have strong immune systems and can handle bacteria from areas throughout their home without any problem.
However, this might not actually be true for every dog breed or type of canine out there today. In fact, certain breeds such as Chihuahuas may be more susceptible to illness from contact with saliva from other dogs or some types of mice droppings on hardwood floors around the home.
This is because the immune system of these smaller breeds may not be as powerful or developed as that of larger canines, such as German Shepherds.
2. The Risk To Human Life.
The most serious potential danger associated with Chihuahuas licking the floor is the risk to human life.
No one wants to believe that their furry, four-legged family member poses a threat to them; however, the simple fact remains that some dogs are simply unpredictable and do things without warning, which could cause injury or even death to humans in their household.
There was a case in 2012 where a man’s small dog attacked him so quickly and so savagely that he died from his injuries before medical help could reach him at his home. It turned out that this particular Chihuahua had a history of biting and attacking the man’s wife a few weeks before her husband was fatally wounded.
If you have a smaller breed dog, such as a Chihuahua, it may be best to train them not to lick the floor or anything on the floor with their tongue, for that matter.
If they are trained early enough in life, they will most likely live longer due to good health practices throughout their lives. However, if you choose not to train your small canine friend, at least be aware of the risks involved so that the side effects of Chihuahuas licking the floor do not become even more serious than they already are.
Stop Chihuahuas from licking the floor today.
Why Does My Chihuahua Lick My Face?
Chihuahuas are known for their child-like behavior. They tend to act like humans when trying to communicate with their owners. This is the reason why your Chihuahua licks your face.
Your Chihuahua sees you as its parent figure and is trying to get your attention so that it understands what you want them to do by imitating this licking behavior that the owner taught to show love.
Even though our canine friends may not know what it means, licking is usually seen as an act of affection when it comes from their loved ones (especially human parents).
Once your dog feels like they have gotten your attention or when they feel loved enough, they will stop this behavior over time because they will know that you understand them and they will feel loved.
In case your Chihuahua is licking the faces of other people, this might be a sign of dominance. The best thing to get rid of this behavior would be to show leadership, become confident, and strengthen your role as a pack leader.
If the licking persists, it might be an idea to seek professional help from a veterinarian or, even better – take some additional classes on how to become a leader of your pack.
Why does my Chihuahuas lick his paw?
Chihuahuas are charming little dogs, but not all Chihuahua owners are charmed by their habit of licking around their feet. Chihuahua owners ask one of the most common questions “Why does my Chihuahuas lick his paw?”
Licking is natural for wild canines and many domestic dog breeds, but this action can turn into an obsessive-compulsive disorder if it becomes too frequent or intense.
If your Chihuahua is experiencing excessively high levels of anxiety, he may lick his paws to the point where they become irritated or painful.
Possible causes for excessive paw licking include:
You can do several things to help soothe your dog and stop him from licking his paws.
* If your Chihuahua is licking his paws out of anxiety, you will need to find a way to reduce his stress. You can do this by ensuring that he gets enough rest and playtime each day. At least ten minutes per day of aerobic exercise should also help take the edge off for him.
Try to avoid situations that cause fear or desperation, like visiting the groomer or riding in the car – if possible, try only to take him places he enjoys going to (for example, see friends who have dogs).
It has been suggested that adding fish oil supplements to your Chihuahua’s diet may be beneficial as it has properties that help calm restless pets down. Some pet owners swear by homeopathic remedies for their pets as well.
* If your Chihuahua starts licking his paws excessively, you should make an appointment to take him to the veterinarian for a checkup. If he has an infection or other medical condition, this must be treated as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
It is also possible for repetitive paw licking to lead to nerve damage, in which case your dog will need medication and physical therapy.
* In some rare cases, the cause of excessive paw licking may have nothing to do with anxiety or stress levels – in these cases; it could be related to allergies caused by a food ingredient in their diet, a lack of nutrients in their diet, fleas, or contact with irritating substances on the ground such as grasses or pesticides.
If your dog’s licking has become excessive and has led to irritation or infections, you will need to get him some help, but if he is just doing it for fun, there is nothing wrong with him!
Just make sure he doesn’t bite down on his paws too hard when he starts chewing them, as this can cause damage to his teeth, foot, and gums. Also, avoid letting him chew on any other items that might be potentially dangerous for him, such as electrical cords or pieces from shoes or clothing.
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