A vet has revealed what it really means when a dog licks their owner’s feet, and why it isn’t always a sign of affection.
Paul Manktelow, a TV vet from London, revealed that their are four reasons a pooch may do the action – including that they’re simply craving attention.
‘It’s a bit weird, isn’t it, but there are reasons behind it,’ Paul said in a TikTok video.
This action can indicate that the dog does indeed feel affection towards their human.
Paul, who posts on TikTok as drpaul_thevet, acknowledges that ‘it is a sign of affection’.
‘Dogs lick to show that they love you and their part of your pack.’
Yet, while a dog may simply be showing people affection by licking their feet, the action could equally indicate that the pooch is craving attention.
‘It can also be attention seeking behaviour,’ Paul says.
He explains: ‘If you react when they lick – like you laugh or you start petting them – then it can be the behaviour that they know grabs your attention.’
Dr Paul Manktelow (pictured) says when your dog licks your feet it could mean one of four things
In other words, if an owner affirms the behaviour with a laugh or by showing affection in return, the dog is more likely to keep doing it.
The third reason why a dog might lick their owner’s feet, according to Dr Paul, is to do with the supposed ‘salty’ taste.
‘Most people’s feet taste salty because of the sweat and there’s some interesting smells down there, and that’s how dogs explore the world,’ he says.
There is, however, a fourth reason – and it may be the most surprising one of all.
‘It can be a naturally grooming behaviour,’ Paul reveals.
‘Dogs in the wild would lick each other to keep themselves clean and it really just says that they’re looking after you.’
Dogs, of course, have many other ways of showing their owners that they love them and care for them.
Natasha Watson, a vet at Vetfone – a company which provides round the clock support for pet owners via telephone or video call – explained: ‘Dogs have a unique way of expressing their love and affection. From wagging their tails to giving you gentle cuddles, their actions speak volumes.
‘They are very social animals who are great at understanding human emotions and will often learn to mirror them.
A common reason that a dog might lick its owners feet is to show affection
‘By recognising the signs your dog shows to let you know just how much they adore you, you can deepen your bond with your furry companion.’
While dogs use their tail to communicate many different emotions, a slightly upright side-to-side slow wag may indicate happiness and contentment, according to Natasha.
If a dog greets their owner when then walk in the room with this kind of happy tail wag, that’s a clear sign that they love their human and are happy to see them.
And if dogs display a ‘helicopter’ tail – where their tail moves in a rapid, circular motion – then they are more than a little excited to see their owner.
Dogs that feel trust and affection toward their owners often make prolonged eye contact.
Research has found that when a dog looks at their human, it can trigger the release of oxytocin, the ‘love hormone,’ in both the dog and the owner.
So, when a pooch looks at someone with gentle eyes, it’s a clear sign of their love for that person.
From wagging their tail in a certain way to making eye contact, dogs have distinct ways of showing their humans that they love them
According to research carried out by Tesco Insurance, 31 per cent of dog owners report that their pup shares their toys with them.
Most dogs are good judges of character so if a furry companion brings their human a toy to play with, then it is a sign that the person has reached an unconditional level of trust and love with the pooch.
Dogs will cuddle in and lean on people they feel comfortable with.
In fact, 39 per cent of dog owners report that their pup will shower them with cuddles and kisses – and this rises to 41 per cent when owners are upset.
This is because cuddles bring back feelings of maternal closeness and release pheromones that soothe the dog.
If a dog follows their from room to room, they’re likely showing affection.
This behaviour signifies that they want to be near the person, and since dogs are naturally pack animals, it’s a sign of attachment or loyalty.
Whilst this can be cute, dogs should still be able to have some alone time.
Dogs are naturally protective of those they love.
Natasha explains that if a dog shows signs of guarding their human or their home, it can be a sign of affection.
They want to keep their person safe and are demonstrating loyalty and love.
Dogs communicate with their owners in various ways, and vocalisations are one of them, according to vet Natasha Watson.
While some breeds are more vocal than others, many dogs will ‘talk’ to their owners with barks or whines to get attention or express emotions.
If a dog barks or makes sounds when they see their person or during moments of excitement, it could be a sign of love and attachment.
While jumping up can sometimes be seen as a sign of excitement or a way to get attention, it’s also a common way dogs show affection.
When a dog jumps on their owner, they may simply be expressing their joy at seeing them – or seeking closeness.
Similarly, almost half (45 per cent) of dog owners say their furry companion sits on them when they want attention.
Natasha says that dogs that respond well to recall and commands are often eager to please their owners.
Their willingness to obey shows trust and a desire to make their people happy.
Training strengthens the bond between a pooch and their owner, as dogs enjoy the positive reinforcement and the satisfaction of making people proud.
Dogs wants to please their owner as well as receive their reward, so when they follow directions, like coming back when called, they should be given an extra special ear rub.
Dogs are remarkably empathetic creatures. If dogs mirrors their humans’ emotions, it’s a sign they love them.
Natasha points out that they may sense when people upset or happy and adjust their behaviour accordingly.
For instance, if a dog owner is feeling down, their pooch might come and sit by them, or offer comfort.
