Many of us have been on the receiving end of a wet, sloppy dog lick, and while it’s usually gross, it can also be surprisingly comforting. As it turns out, dogs have a lot of wisdom when it comes to licking wounds. In fact, the science behind why dogs lick your wounds is fascinating and potentially beneficial for your health. Dogs have a natural instinct to lick wounds and are able to recognize the signs of discomfort and pain. This natural instinct may have evolved over time to help heal wounds, providing an antiseptic effect. Not only that, but dogs may also be able to pick up on chemical and hormonal signals in the body that can help them determine when and how to best provide comfort to their owners. It is important to understand the science behind why dogs lick your wounds, as this knowledge may help you make the most of your canine’s natural healing abilities.
Why Do Dogs Lick Your Wounds?
Helps Wounds Heal Faster
As we’ve discussed, we know that the saliva in dogs’ mouths has a very high red blood cell count. This can be very beneficial for helping wounds heal faster because it can help to reduce inflammation. Additionally, the saliva produced by dogs has been shown to have antibacterial properties, which can help fight off infections and help wounds to heal faster. Wounds that are healing take time and can be very painful, making it difficult to move around and do basic tasks. If a dog licks your wounds, it can help them to heal faster, which can make daily life easier.
Reduces Inflammation
As we’ve discussed, dogs have high red blood cell counts. This can help to reduce inflammation. For example, if someone gets a cut, the area may become swollen and red because of an increase in blood flow to the area. This is a normal part of the healing process, but it can be painful and uncomfortable. The high red blood cell count in dogs’ saliva can help to reduce this swelling and redness. This can be especially helpful for people who are dealing with painful and swollen wounds. Reducing the amount of swelling in a wound can make it more comfortable and make it easier to move around with.
Reduces Pain
We also know that dogs’ saliva has painkillers, like endorphins, that can help to reduce pain. This would be especially helpful for people who are experiencing pain at the site of their wounds. This can be especially helpful for people who are experiencing pain in their wounds because it can make it easier to move around and perform daily activities. Wounds can be painful and can make it difficult to move around and do the things that you need to do. If a dog licks your wound, it can help to reduce the pain so that it is easier to get around.
Helps Fight Infection
We’ve also discussed how the saliva in dogs’ mouths contains antibacterial properties, which can help fight off infections. This can be very helpful and can help to prevent infections from forming in wounds. If a dog licks a wound, it can help to fight off any infections that may be forming. Additionally, this can help to prevent the wound from becoming infected, which can be very helpful. Infections can cause wounds to last longer and be more painful, so this can be extremely helpful for people who are experiencing infections in their wounds.
Provides Emotional Support
Dogs are known for being very affectionate animals, and licking is one way that they can show you that they care. This can help to provide emotional support, which is especially helpful for people who are experiencing a lot of anxiety while they’re healing. This can be helpful both in the immediate and long-term healing process by helping people to feel less anxious and more relaxed. When people are injured or sick, they may feel anxious or worried about their health. Dogs can help to reduce these feelings of anxiety and provide emotional support. This can be helpful in the healing process and can also be beneficial long-term by helping people to feel less anxious.
What Is The Science Behind Why Dogs Lick Wounds?
- When a dog licks your wound, they are able to pick up on chemical and hormonal signals that help them determine when and how to best provide comfort to its owners. Gross as it might sound, a dog’s saliva has natural antiseptic properties, making it an ideal choice for cleaning wounds.
- In addition, dogs have a special enzyme called coagulase in their saliva that acts as a clotting agent in wounds. When a dog licks your wound, they are able to pick up on signs of pain and discomfort that we, as humans, may overlook.
- While licking a wound, dogs may also be able to pick up on certain chemicals, such as histamines, that our bodies release when we are in distress. Some of these chemicals would not be present in the saliva of a healthy dog, so they can be able to tell the difference between a wound caused by injury and one caused by something else, like an allergic reaction.
How Does A Dog’s Licking Provide An Antiseptic Effect On Wounds?
- When a dog licks a wound, they ingest any bacteria that may be present, effectively cleaning the wound. In addition, the dog’s saliva has natural antiseptic properties, making it an ideal choice for cleaning wounds.
- Dogs are also able to pick up on chemical and hormonal signals in the body that can help them determine when and how to best provide comfort to their owners.
- Some of these chemicals would not be present in the saliva of a healthy dog, so they can be able to tell the difference between a wound caused by injury and one caused by something else, like an allergic reaction.
- This may also be why dogs seem to be able to instinctively know when their humans are sick, as it’s been said that dogs can smell cancer.
How Do Dogs Sense When Their Owner Is In Pain Or Discomfort?
- When a dog licks a wound, they are able to pick up on chemicals, such as histamines, that our bodies release when we are in distress. Dogs can also tell the difference between a wound caused by injury and one caused by something else, like an allergic reaction.
- When their owner is in pain or discomfort, dogs may also be able to pick up on certain hormones, such as serotonin and oxytocin, that are released during emotional states.
- This ability may have evolved over time to help dogs better understand their humans and respond to us as needed.
How Can Owners Make The Most Of A Dog’s Natural Healing Abilities?
- When a dog licks a wound, owners can make the most of their natural healing abilities by making sure that the wound is appropriately cleaned. This can help reduce the risk of infection and speed up the healing process.
- It can be helpful to keep a log of the healing process to see what signs your dog’s licking can tell you about your body.
- You can also consider taking advantage of your dog’s natural ability to help keep you healthy by letting them lick your hands and sanitize your surfaces from time to time.
- Owners should take care to avoid infections by washing their hands after allowing their dog to lick a wound or sanitizing surfaces as needed.
Conclusion
Dogs have a lot of wisdom when it comes to licking wounds, making them an ideal choice for healing. This can be helpful not only for wounds but also for sanitizing hands and surfaces in the home. By understanding the science behind why dogs lick wounds, owners can better take advantage of their natural abilities and help heal themselves.
