Do you know Why Does My Dog Lick My Mosquito Bites? Well…
Dogs are awesome pets to keep. You can have a best friend who helps you stay healthy and cares about you more than themselves. Digging into this topic, we will find out how dogs continuously try to take care of us and soothe our pain without wanting anything in return.
While those precious creatures are to be cherished and appreciated, it is important to keep a check-and-balance of their activities that can seem normal but cause infections. Dogs licking your bug bites or wounds is one of the very common ways of the spread of diseases from pets to their owners.
Dogs learn how to live with you by the patterns you teach them. They notice the tiniest things and that is why you should totally take care of not making a mistake of forgetting to correct your dog when they do something bad. Licking or unnecessarily touching your wounds is one of the bad habits you need to make sure your dog avoids at all costs.
Getting hurt in any way may make us feel the need to have someone around for companionship or to soothe our pain. Having a wound is mostly painful and dogs are fully aware of that. It’s in their instinct to take care of the ones around them as they think of them like a part of their pack.
Dogs are naturally wired this way, to care for those around them and help them feel less lonely in their pain. Dogs tend to lick every wound they see thinking that would heal it because that is what they do to theirs.
Let’s dig in and find out together why dogs tend to lick your wounds and how they are just trying to show their connection with you as a pet.
Why Does My Dog Lick My Mosquito Bites?
A dog licking your wound or bug bite may seem extremely disgusting to us, but dogs do not do it without any purpose. Yes, it is weird that they may like the taste of it but there are a few other reasons as to why dogs can lick your mosquito bites. And to be honest, they make sense. They can be related to them licking to figure out what it is, they are just trying to take care of you, or because mosquito bites taste nice, or you could have accidentally trained them to do so.
So, why does my dog lick my mosquito bites? Well, actually dogs tend to soothe their pain by licking their wounds. Hence when they see your wound or bug bite they instantly think of something to help you with it and so they use their saliva to soothe it. Dogs tend to take the responsibility to take care of their owners because they want to protect them.
They also do it because they think of their owners as their family.
Dogs can get as close to our hearts as possible but we can not deny that they are different species with different likes and dislikes. What may seem odd to the owners may taste amazing to the dogs. However, you should always take care that you do not have any cream or medication applied because it can be harmful for the dog.
Dog owners are fully aware of the fact that dogs love exploring. Be it sights or sounds, they become fully alert to observe and explore places and people. The same goes for your mosquito bites. It’s possible that they are new to seeing such bumps which makes them lick and smell it to realize what it is.
Who doesn’t want a fully trained dog who knows all the manners and fully obeys you? Well, training dogs can be a hard task because you can accidentally teach them something other than you want. A thing simple as chuckling when they lick your mosquito bites can train them into doing it repeatedly thinking you like it and they will get attention when they do so.
Making sure that you teach them their behavioral patterns correctly is highly important. Mostly whatever they do comes from their learning habits and to alter them once they have learned can be difficult. Whenever they do an act that is undesired, you should give them the sign to not do it.
Another thing to note is that you can be allergic to a dog’s saliva. Researchers have found out that there are nearly 12 different allergy-causing bacteria in a dog’s saliva. You can be hypersensitive to bacteria that their saliva contains making it more harmful for some people than others.
Should You Let Your Dog Lick Your Mosquito Bites?
Dog saliva contains harmful bugs that can make an open wound worse. Even if casually it is considered safe to let them lick your mosquito bites, you should fully try to avoid it.
Research from old times stated that their saliva can heal wounds and it’s okay to let them lick it but you need to make sure they don’t lick it continuously and rigorously because it can cause severe infections.
Not only for you but dogs licking your mosquito bite is also harmful for them. Any bug bite or wound mostly contains bacteria that are harmful to dogs so it’s safest to keep them away from anything like that.
What Happens if a Dog Licks Your Mosquito Bite?
Soothing Effect:
It’s common to hair that dogs can relieve and soothe a mosquito or ant bite. It is because there are many kinds of things in their saliva. Some of which are anti-bacterial and can soothe the irritating bites.
This is also why dogs lick their wounds when injured. But, please note that not all the microbes in their saliva are good for you. You can get infections transmitted if you don’t keep the dog away from your wound.
Relief from Itchiness:
It’s common to feel itchiness from mosquito bites. Those bites, after some time, become a bump on the skin that also feels itchy. The dog’s saliva can improve that with their soothing properties.
Risk of Infection:
While it is considered safe to let your dog lick a mosquito bite on your skin, it is still risky because of the number of parasites in their saliva. The part where there is a bump is prone to many infections and you should try to keep it away from all possible contacts with other bacteria that can give you harmful diseases.
Spread of Irritation:
Scratching the bump or getting licked by your dog can definitely spread irritation. Infections spread widely when you scratch a bump or if a dog licks it. So it is possible that the same bacteria spread to some other place and cause irritation there as well. You should keep mosquito bites away from anything that can spread the infection. A dog’s saliva or scratching is the main cause.
Transfer of Allergens:
There are a few routes for allergens to get inside your body and mosquito bites are one of them. When your dog licks your mosquito bites it is highly likely that the allergens (if any) in the dog enter your body and cause severe infections.
Behavior Reinforcement:
Dogs are really smart and they grasp things quickly. When your dog licks your mosquito bite, or licks anywhere that is not to your liking such as face, feet, or hands, you need to stop them and take measures immediately so they don’t end up thinking it is okay if they do so.
You can distract them from licking by using positive reinforcement techniques. It’s most probable that you will not have to use drastic measures.
Making sure that your reactions are positive is also important. Dogs don’t fully understand human body language and it can be hard for them to understand a few things sometimes. Staying calm with them and altering their behavior with love and affection will help them learn better.
How to Stop a Dog From Licking Mosquito Bites
Apply Anti-Lick Products:
Using pet-safe products to keep your dog from licking any wounds is recommended. Bitter sprays or creams can help you train your dog to think they should not lick or touch the infected area.
Keep the Area Clean:
you should always keep a wound clean to prevent any infections and spread of bacteria. A wound heals better when it’s clean and it also prevents dogs from licking your wound because a cleaner wound will not be visible and it will not make the dog curious to see what it is.
Cover the Bite:
Covering your mosquito bite is the best solution to prevent dogs from licking any bug bites or wounds. But, do it after counseling with your doctor. It may not always be safe to cover a bug bite or a wound.
You can use bodysuits, sleeves, or socks to cover up your mosquito bites. Or, you can use a fabric to easily secure it with medical tape. Make sure it does not stick to your hairy parts.
Provide Distractions:
Dogs love nibbling. So, give them something like a rubber ball to chew and nibble at which will make them forget about licking your wound. If your dog needs to stay contained, make sure he doesn’t chase or fiddle with these toys. Redirect their attention by playing or giving them treats that will make your dog follow. That way, your puppy won’t scratch an itchy wound.
Training and Redirection:
As I mentioned above, a thing as small as chuckling when they lick your wound can make them think it’s okay to lick or scratch your wound or bug bites. You need to train and redirect them to save yourself from infections and the spread of diseases.
Supervise and Correct:
You need to supervise their acts and correct their behavioral patterns at all times. Remember that the dog’s saliva contains contagious bacteria that can end up giving you rabies or all the animal diseases. It’s best to train your pets the healthy way so staying with them is not problematic.
Use Positive Reinforcement:
As I mentioned above, making sure that your reactions are positive is also important. Dogs don’t fully understand human body language and it can be hard for them to understand our patterns and emotions. It’s best to stay calm and teach them while also treating and rewarding them for responding positively.
Do Dog Licks Help Mosquito Bites?
A dog-licking mosquito bite can help heal it by soothing and relaxing the bump or wound. Other than that it’s mostly harmful and should be avoided.
Dogs mostly heal their wounds by licking and it works because their saliva has such antibacterial microbes which help a lot in healing a wound.
Research in 2018 showed that a wound licked by a dog heals twice as fast as wounds that have not been liked. Researchers stated that canine saliva contains various proteins, antimicrobial enzymes, and peptides that make holes in the bacterial cell membranes.
There is a kind of bacteria in a dog’s saliva named histatins, they help fight against infections and protect cuts from infection. There are many other beneficial chemicals in a dog’s saliva that have healing properties.
Does Dog Saliva Heal Wounds?
Dog’s saliva has antibacterial but it probably won’t heal wounds fully. I mean, you can’t fully rely on your dog’s saliva to heal your wounds. While it can help in soothing your pain and may also help the wound heal quicker, it cannot heal the whole wound on its own. You need to consult a doctor and take precautions.
Does Dog Saliva Infect Mosquito Bites?
Dogs’ saliva has a lot of infectious bacteria. In comparison with cats, dog’s saliva is known to be impure religiously as well, but any animal, when licking an exposed wound, can give you unexpected diseases. Especially rabies, it is really common in dogs hence it is always recommended to avoid letting your dogs lick any wounds.
FAQs
Do dogs care about mosquito bites?
Dogs can get irritated by mosquito bites just like us. Mosquito bites end up making a bump on the skin that causes itchiness and it makes dogs uncomfortable just like us. But, dogs aren’t as quick to notice a mosquito bite and care about it as much. The only difference is that we know mosquitoes inject their dirty diseases inside us and dogs don’t!
Why are mosquitoes so attracted to my dog?
Dogs attract mosquitoes primarily because of the carbon dioxide and body heat they emit. Mosquitos are looking for hosts for their blood meals. Mosquitoes can easily detect various smells that the dogs release and the presence of these cues makes mosquitoes target dogs for mosquitoes searching for a blood source. Movement, scents, and certain chemicals in the dog’s body can attract mosquitoes towards them. The presence of these cues can make the dogs the blood source mosquitoes look for. However, it differs between dogs individually as these factors are affected individually. If your dog’s blood becomes a mosquito’s meal, and you see a bump on their skin, just try to take care of it, and for safety measures, consult with a veterinarian. You can use a cold compress and a pet-safe itch cream that can help your dog get relief from itchiness.
What if my dog keeps licking a bug bite?
If your dog is constantly licking a bug bite, it could potentially make the irritation worse. Excessive licking can introduce bacteria into the area and delay the healing process. It might also lead to a secondary infection. To address this, try to discourage your dog from licking the area. You can use a cone collar or a bitter-tasting pet-safe spray to distract them. You can also use soap and water to gently clean your wound and keep an eye on it for any infections. Increased swelling, redness or a discharge are some signs of an infection that you should look for.
Why is my dog licking me now I’m itchy?
It’s possible and highly likely that you will get allergens from the mouth of a dog to your skin. There are allergens and irritants that can cause a lot of damage and allergic reactions that are not good for your health. Moreover, their licking could stimulate a histamine response in your body, triggering an itching sensation. If you’re feeling an annoying persistent itchiness, it’s a good idea to wash the area your dog licked with mild soap and water, and consider using a soothing lotion or anti-itch cream. At all times, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional who can help you understand and treat your wound or bug bites. They will help you rule out any underlying condition or allergy.
Can dogs smell infection in humans?
Yes, dogs have an incredible sense of smell that enables them to detect various scents, including changes in human body chemistry associated with infections. Studies showed that dogs can indeed smell many infections and diseases in humans, including certain types of cancers. Lonely people mostly keep a service dog to help them out when their sugar levels deteriorate or increase, dogs can sense it and immediately sign their owner to take medication. Dogs can pick on a subtle smell that is produced by these conditions and it helps because humans are not capable of smelling and sensing such things. However, as I have mentioned above as well, relying entirely on a dog to think you have an infection or a disease is not recommended. You should always visit a healthcare professional and get your required tests done to confirm whether or not you have a disease, allergy, or infection. Dogs do have amazing sensing abilities but they are no fool-proof diagnostic tools that you can fully rely upon. If you do so and take medication, it can be really bad for your health. But, when your dog is trying to signal a bad thing, you should always consider it. Their sight, smell and senses are way stronger than us and it is undoubtedly true that they can save you from a lot of diseases by detecting them earlier.
Why do dogs like human wounds?
Dogs may show interest in human wounds due to their heightened sense of smell and curiosity. Wounds can emit different scents, including blood, bodily fluids, and changes in skin chemistry. Mostly, it’s just their curiosity that drives them to investigate all the new things they see. Wounds can cause certain chemical changes and scents that can be detected easily by dogs. When they sense such a thing, they are quick to respond and signal you. As for licking wounds, it comes as an instinct and all dogs, including many other animals lick their wounds trying to heal it. It does help because of the soothing effect and relief their saliva gives them.
Conclusions
A dog’s saliva can be beneficial for some part but it’s mostly harmful. It has different kinds of bacteria which can either help you or completely hinder the process of healing. By that, I mean that you can easily get infections through a dog’s saliva and that always worsens the wound.
Excessive licking can introduce bacteria and delay the healing process. If your dog keeps on licking your wound and not getting your sign to stop or to not do it again, you can try consulting a vet and asking them the best way possible. They can provide guidance on wound care, potential health concerns, and behavior modification if needed.
However, if your dog ever licks your mosquito bite or a wound to help you soothe it, it’s fine for one gentle time. You should totally avoid it but if they do it one unexpected time, it’s fine, you just need to train your dog not doing it again.
A lot of things can help you prevent your dog from licking your wounds or bug bites. Especially using creams or sprays that taste bitter so they would not want to do it again. You can also use a cloth or a medical fabric to cover up the wound of bug bite, that protects you from many unwanted diseases and infections.
