Dog's natural behavior is much different to humans. This leaves us wondering why they do certain things such as smell other dogs behind, sneeze when they begin to play or even lick another dog's urine. It's important to inform ourselves why they do this, not only to understand our dogs but to also make sure that whatever they are doing won't cause them any harm.
In this AnimalWised article we will explain what the causes this behavior and what you must take into account to protect their health and ultimately answer your question why does my dog lick urine of other dogs?
Why do dogs lick urine?
To understand why your dog licks urine from other dogs, it's important to pay attention to the vomeronasal organ, also known as Jacobson's organ. This organ is located in the vomer bone, between the mouth and the nose of the dog. Its main responsibility is to transmit information to the brain.
Jacobson's organ is responsible for analyzing large molecules, such as pheromones and other compounds. This plays a crucial role in hunting, reproduction, their environmental perception and their social relationships. It is therefore a fundamental organ for dogs to decipher information related to other dogs, such as food, sex or estrous cycle.
If you watch your dog lick urine while "savoring" it, pressing their tongue against their palate and raising their snout, it's probably because they are using the vomeronasal organ to receive extra information from a dog in the area. It is a completely natural behavior for dogs. We should not scold our dog if they lick urine from other dogs. This is merely a result of their canine instinct.
Does it have a negative effect on their health?
According to ethologists and other professionals in canine behavior, this conduct is completely natural and should be respected by dog companions. Licking urine is a way for dogs to better perceive their environment and allowing them to follow this instinct is good for their well-being. To learn more about how dogs perceive their surrounding, read our article on why does my dog smell everything on the street?
As for health, it is important to understand that if your dog has strictly followed the vaccination schedule as well as regular deworming, they are very unlikely to become ill. However, sick dogs or those with weak immune systems are more susceptible to infections. Therefore, if this is the case for your dog, you should take more precautions.
In conclusion, allowing your dog to lick urine from other dogs is not a bad thing, but if your dog is sick or has a weak immune system it is best to be careful. Nevertheless, it's important to understand that this is a normal canine behavior and that your dog should not be scolded for following his instincts.
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