Dogs lick ears to show affection, groom you, or taste the salt on your skin.
Why
- Affection and bonding.
- Salt and taste from your skin and wax.
- Grooming behavior.
- Attention seeking.
Is it safe
Mostly. Wash your hands and ears after.
Medical
Your ears may have wax or an infection if the dog seems drawn to them.
Training
Redirect with toys or a command.
See a vet
If licking is constant or obsessive.
Social grooming and bonding
Licking ears may be a way of grooming. Dogs lick each other’s ears as part of social grooming, and may do it to humans to show affection or to take part in bonding.
Taste and smell
Ears have wax, salt and oils, which dogs find interesting. Ear canals hold a scent signature unique to each individual.
Attention and habit
A dog may learn that licking your ears leads to attention, laughter or play.
Comfort and anxiety
Licking can calm a dog and release endorphins. It may become compulsive if the dog is anxious.
Safety
Dog saliva has bacteria. Licking can introduce bacteria to the ear and skin, which can lead to ear infections in people with ear tubes, perforated eardrums or skin problems. People with weakened immune systems should avoid licking contact.
Medical issues in the dog
If a dog licks its own ears or another dog’s ears excessively, it could have an ear infection (otitis), allergies, ear mites or a foreign object. Signs include head shaking, scratching, redness, odor, dark discharge and pain. Ear infections affect around 20% of dogs.
Training
- Redirect with a toy or chew.
- Reward when the dog stops.
- Use a command like “off” or “enough.”
- Provide exercise and mental stimulation.
- Don’t punish the dog, which could cause anxiety.
Hygiene
Wash your ears and hands after contact. Clean your dog’s ears with a vet approved solution if needed.
See a vet if
You notice signs of ear infection or the licking is compulsive or accompanied by other behavior changes.
Other behavior
Dogs may also lick faces and hands.
Reasons dogs lick ears
Dogs lick as grooming, affection and submission behavior learned from puppyhood when mothers lick them. Human ears carry salt, wax and scent, which interest dogs. Dogs may also lick to get attention, because it earns a reaction. Excessive licking can be compulsive or linked to anxiety.
Hygiene and health
A dog’s mouth contains bacteria such as Capnocytophaga, which rarely cause serious infection in healthy people but can be risky for people with weakened immune systems. Avoid letting a dog lick open wounds or the inside of the ear. If your dog licks its own ears constantly, check for ear infection with redness, odor or discharge, mites or allergies, and see a vet.
Based on data from the American Kennel Club and the CDC
