Licking is a normal behavior of dogs. Dogs cannot talk but they have an effective way of showing their affection to people they like. Dogs lick to communicate with humans and with other dogs as well. A mother dog will keep the litter clean by licking. Apart from being a show of affection, the mother dog will lick the pups to motivate defecation and urination.

Dogs are often seen licking their butts. Apparently, this kind of licking is not done as a show of affection nor is it a way of expressing themselves. A dog with the body all contorted to be able to reach and to lick the rear end would be amusing to watch. A dog owner though would not be amused if the dog that has been licking its butt would jump with alacrity to meet its master with sloppy kisses.

After the puppy has defecated or urinated, the mother dog will lick the pup’s anal area clean. The habit to lick was learned by puppies from their mother. Dogs use their long raspy tongue for grooming purposes. Dog’s version of human’s hand shaking is butt sniffing. If humans make sure that their hands are clean, dogs too would want to keep their butts feces free and this is done by licking. Dog owners are aware that dogs love anything that people find repulsive. Dog owners would always complain about the dogs habit of eating feces and rolling in smelly objects. A dog that licks the butt is simply giving in to the desire to indulge in something smelly

Butt licking can be due the dog’s effort to remove a foreign object. Plastics, cloth and other non-edible objects will be ingested because dogs are indiscriminate eaters. The plastic, the cloth and other indigestible objects eaten by the dog will come out in the same form. One end of the plastic or the cloth can get stuck inside so that the dog will continuously lick to get the thing out.

An impacted anal gland is another reason why a dog would continuously lick its butt. Anal glands are normally emptied when the dog defecates but inexpensive dog food that are mostly cereal fillers will result to soft stools so that the anal glands get impacted. Bacteria will build up if the anal glands are impacted. This will make the dog extremely uncomfortable. To alleviate the pain and the discomfort, the dog will be seen constantly scooting and licking the butt.

Learn more about why dogs lick their butts and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.