Dogs lick themselves after being washed primarily as a form of self-grooming, but there are also other contributing factors.
Here's a breakdown of the reasons:
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Natural Grooming Instinct: Licking is a natural canine behavior for cleaning and maintaining their coat. After a bath, a dog might be trying to "fix" their fur to feel normal again. They're essentially trying to spread their natural oils back across their coat.
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Removing the Unfamiliar Smell: Dogs have a strong sense of smell. The shampoo and water used during the bath leave behind an unfamiliar scent. Licking helps them cover up this smell with their own scent, making them feel more comfortable. They want to get rid of the artificial fragrance and regain their own familiar odor.
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Drying Themselves: Licking can help remove excess water from their fur, aiding in the drying process, albeit inefficiently.
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Itchiness: Sometimes, licking after a bath indicates underlying skin irritation. The shampoo used might be too harsh, causing itchiness or dryness. Always use dog-specific shampoos. If excessive licking persists, it could be a sign of allergies or skin problems, warranting a vet visit.
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Stress/Anxiety: Some dogs experience stress or anxiety during bath time. Licking can be a self-soothing behavior to cope with this stress.
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Getting Rid of Residue: They might be trying to get rid of shampoo residue that wasn't rinsed off properly. Be thorough when rinsing to prevent this.
In summary, a dog's post-bath licking is usually a combination of instinctual grooming, scent restoration, and drying. However, it's important to observe the behavior and consider whether underlying skin issues or stress are playing a role, especially if the licking is excessive or accompanied by other symptoms like scratching or redness.
