Reasons For Eye-Licking
Dogs may lick each other’s eyes as a form of shared grooming and bonding. Or they will lick the eyes of another dog to say hello. Sometimes dogs just like the salty flavour around the eye. Let’s look into these reasons in more detail to help you understand the behaviour.
Grooming
Dogs lick all parts of their body to groom themselves, but they can’t reach certain areas like their ears, eyes, and face. Dogs often lick each other in these areas to aid a helping hand in the grooming process.
If two dogs are licking each other’s eyes back and forth, this is likely the reason why.
Submissive Gesture
In a group of dogs, there can only be one pack leader. If your dog is licking another dog’s eyes, it could be a sign that they are showing submission to the other dog.
This behaviour is more likely to be submission if the eye licking occurs while another dog shows signs of being aggressive. Other submissive gestures include sleeping near another dog’s feet, following another dog around, smiling, teeth chattering, or rolling on their back.
Dominance theory previously led some dog trainers to use forceful techniques like the alpha roll to train dogs. While these training techniques have been debunked, there is still a hierarchy that dogs adhere to within their pack.
For dogs that live together, appeasement signals are a way of showing respect, saying hello, or just a way of saying, “I don’t want to make trouble.”
Submissive licking gestures are usually short, but the eyes and muzzle of another dog are common targets.
Obsessive or Compulsive Behavior
Occasionally, dogs exhibit obsessive-compulsive behaviours that they just can’t seem to stop. In this case, your dog may be licking another dog’s eyes simply because it can’t resist the urge to do so.
It will be evident that your dog is exhibiting obsessive-compulsive behaviour if they constantly lick another dog’s eyes. If your dog is engaged in obsessive licking, you should visit your vet to treat the behaviour.
Bonding
Dogs who live together often lick each other’s faces as a form of bonding and affection. It’s similar to how dogs lick their owner’s faces to show affection. Licking helps dogs socialize and bond with other dogs.
Licking releases endorphins in dogs’ bodies, so it feels like a pleasurable experience. Dogs bond with each other and find it relaxing. Pack mates who lick each other keep close bonds. These bonds are a necessary process for survival.
Hunger
Puppies show mother dogs that they are hungry by licking them. Sometimes young pups also do this to other dogs when they are hungry.
Now, other dogs aren’t going to feed the puppy the way its mother will, but your dog doesn’t know that. If you have a puppy who is indicating hunger, it’s your job to make sure they are properly fed.
Dogs like the salty taste
A dog’s skin usually tastes salty when it’s licked (human skin does too). Your dog may be licking another dog’s eyes because they like the salty taste. Since eyes make tears, they are a particularly salty part of the body. So, your dog may be licking off tears, eye crusts, or both.
This will be evident if your dog doesn’t lick excessively, which would be the case with obsessive eye licking.
Should You Worry About Eye Licking?
You needn’t worry about your dog licking another dog’s eyes most of the time unless the behaviour suddenly starts out of nowhere. Anytime a dog starts to exhibit odd behaviour that has never occurred before, it can indicate that something’s wrong, and it’s time to contact the vet.
Very rarely, dogs can develop obsessive-compulsive disorder. Treatments for compulsive behaviours, including medications, treat the illness. However, it’s very rare that compulsive dog behaviour would be directed towards licking another dog’s eyes.
A few medical reasons related to the eyes make it more likely for other dogs to lick. Discharge from the eyes is often appealing. Any discharge coming from a dog’s eyes is an indication to consult a veterinarian.
If your dog only licks other dogs’ eyes during grooming or when meeting a new dog, there likely isn’t anything to be concerned about.
Discouraging Eye Licking
If your dog is licking other dogs’ eyes at the dog park, you probably don’t want to discourage the behaviour. This is a healthy component of canine behaviour.
However, if your dog’s eye licking is causing problems with another dog in the household, there are some things you can do. It may be that your other dog is irritated by the eye-licking, and it’s starting to cause conflict.
Managing eye licking is best done by giving your dog an alternative activity. Since they are already prone to licking, a distraction that allows them to lick is best. A Kong with peanut butter or a Lick Mat can often redirect eye licking and keep both dogs happy.
Final Thoughts
While it can be baffling to see dogs licking each other’s eyes, this is usually normal behaviour. It is part of complex canine behaviour that allows dogs to communicate, greet, and bond with other dogs.
