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Why do dogs always lick themselves?
Dogs licking themselves excessively may be due to reasons such as skin diseases, cleaning themselves, or having wounds. Here are the possible reasons:
Skin diseases: If a dog has a skin disease, it may feel itchy, so it will lick its body to alleviate the itch.
Cleaning: If there is something stuck on the dog's fur, it may feel uncomfortable and naturally want to lick it off.
Wounds: Many dogs will lick their wounds after being injured, which is an instinctive behavior. This is because dog saliva contains an enzyme that helps alleviate pain, making the dog think it can heal the wound.
Skin diseases:
Dogs with skin diseases often feel itchy, so they resort to licking to alleviate the discomfort. Owners can closely observe their dog's skin for symptoms such as redness, itching, scabbing, and dandruff. If any of these are present, it's time to consult a veterinarian for medication.
- Cleaning:
Dogs don't groom themselves as often as cats do, so if they frequently lick themselves, it's likely because they have dirtied themselves. This is an easy fix – just give the dog a bath.
- Wounds:
If a dog is injured, it will likely lick the wound to clean it of blood or debris. However, if the dog licks the wound too often, it can easily lead to infection. Owners should carefully inspect their dog and apply iodine and alcohol to the wound for disinfection. It's also a good idea to put a collar on the dog to prevent them from licking the wound and making it worse.