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Why do dogs lick each other’s ears?

One of the things that my dog does around some other dogs is licking the other dog’s ears. My dog seems to be attracted to the scent of some dogs’ ears but not others. There are particular dog ears that he plays with that he seems very attracted to. We lived close to a neighbor with dogs and they would play all the time. One day, he started licking the female dog’s ears, and ever since then, he won’t stop. Whenever they are together he is always licking her ears. We hope that it is not a sign of him liking the taste of her ears, or a sign of infection but rather a sign of affection.

I did some research online and found that this is actually not uncommon behavior in dogs. While no one knows exactly why dogs lick the ears of other dogs, there are several reasons that have been proposed.

  • As a grooming technique to clean the ears of the other dog
  • Because dogs like the taste of other dog’s ears
  • If the other dog has an ear infection
  • To soothe or comfort the other dog
  • As a sign of friendship or comradery between the dogs

Grooming

Dogs licking the ears of other dogs is often seen as a grooming technique. This is because when dogs lick the ears of other dogs, they are able to clean any dirt, wax, or other debris from the ear. In addition, this can help to prevent any infections from occurring in the ear.

Licking is a common grooming technique among canines.  Dogs will often lick their fur in order to clean it and remove any dirt or debris. By licking the ears of other dogs, they are able to clean them more thoroughly and help to prevent any infections from developing.

This licking is common not only on the ears but other parts of the body as well. Dog ears have a distinctive smell that the dog may be attracted to. This smell is totally normal. If you sniff your dog’s ears, it may seem that they smell slightly yeasty. This is totally normal and healthy. If your dog’s ears have a smell that is particularly foul or if the smell of your dog’s ears has changed drastically, you will want to consult your veterinarian and have them check the ears of your dog.

The ears of a dog are a common place for dirt and debris to gather, especially if the dog’s ears are not cleaned regularly. This dirt and debris can be just the stimulus that another dog needs to try and clean your dog’s ears. It may be wise to clean the ears of your dog frequently to avoid too much buildup and to avoid infections.

My dog loves to run on the trails and when the trails get dusty, which they do frequently here in the desert, my dog’s ears get filthy. It really grosses me out when my wife reaches in with her finger and pulls out clumps of dirt. But it is better for him to have clean ears than to let all that dirt fester in his ears which could lead to an infection.

Cleaning your dog’s ears frequently is important and you should consult with your veterinarian on the best way to do that and how frequently you should clean your dog’s ears.

Taste

Believe it or not, it is also believed that dogs lick the ears of other dogs because they like the taste. Dogs may find the taste of ear wax or other debris to be appealing, and this may be why they are drawn to lick the ears of other dogs.

As we talked about before, dog ears can have a natural yeasty odor. This odor could smell like food to another dog. This could lead that dog to believe that there is a delicious treat in your dog’s ear and lead to excessive ear licking.

Now to me this just sounds downright disgusting but dogs will be dogs. According to my research, there are no adverse health effects from your dog licking the ears of another dog. The only concern that might come into play is if your dog is excessively licking the ears of another dog with an ear infection. If you think this might be the case, it is important to bring it up with your veterinarian.

Infection

Dogs may lick the ears of other dogs that are infected as a way of grooming them. Dogs may also lick the ears of other dogs that are infected in order to taste the infection. This is because dogs have a strong sense of smell and taste, and they may be drawn to the infection as a way of learning more about it.

Ear infections in dogs can be very serious. If left untreated, they can lead to hearing loss, and in some cases, even death. It’s important to take your dog to the vet if you think he may have an ear infection, as it can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough.

Dogs that have floppy ears are more prone to ear infections than dogs with upright ears. This is because the flaps of the floppy ears can trap moisture and bacteria, which can lead to infection. Dogs that are prone to ear infections should have their ears cleaned regularly by a veterinarian.

Comfort

Dogs may also lick the ears of other dogs as a way to provide comfort. This is because ear licking can be seen as a sign of affection among dogs. When dogs lick the ears of their friends or family members, it may be seen as a way of showing that they care for them and want to make them feel better.

Friendship

A dog may lick the ears of other dogs because they are friends. Dogs that are friends may often lick each other’s ears as a way of showing their affection for one another.

Dogs that have been raised together from a young age are more likely to be friends than dogs that meet later in life. This is because they have had more time to form a bond with each other. Dogs that are friends may often sleep next to each other, play together, and groom each other.

You may notice that your dog licks the ear of dogs that he or she is close to.  This is because dogs often form close relationships with other dogs that they see on a regular basis. If you have a dog that licks the ears of other dogs, it may be because he or she has formed a close bond with those dogs.

Conclusion

Dogs lick each other’s ears for a variety of reasons, including grooming, taste, infection, comfort, and friendship. If your dog licks the ears of another dogs often, it may be because he or she has formed a close bond with those dogs. If you notice any abnormalities around a dog’s ear that are causing your dog to lick it more frequently, take him or her to the vet as soon as possible to get it checked out.

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