Why do dogs lick (you)?

[LadyStanley]

I'm a cat person so rarely have my kids licked me.

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[Leafsdude7]

I'm a cat person so rarely have my kids licked me.

Really?

I've been around cats my whole life and most of them licked me reasonably often. The one I currently have doesn't, though.

IIRC, if they're not handled sufficiently by humans at a young age (from when their eyes open to 6-8 weeks, I think?), cats won't be as sociable, and licking is a social activity for cats, so if they don't lick you, that could be an indicator of poor human socialization at the formative age.

 

[LadyStanley]

Note, I said rarely (not never).

 

[crump]

Dogs are looking for food. When you come home did you notice they always try to lick your mouth? It's apparently an instinct in their genetic code or something. The parents come home and they try to see what you have brought them. It is supposed to stimulate the regurgitation reflex. Essentially, they want you to vomit your food into their mouths.

 

[Leafsdude7]

Note, I said rarely (not never).

Yup. Note that I said "reasonably often".

 

[Cor]

Dogs are looking for food. When you come home did you notice they always try to lick your mouth? It's apparently an instinct in their genetic code or something. The parents come home and they try to see what you have brought them. It is supposed to stimulate the regurgitation reflex. Essentially, they want you to vomit your food into their mouths.

Anything for my dog. Will pick up fast food on my home.