You’ve just settled in after a long day — feet up, warm drink in hand — when suddenly, your dog launches a full-on tongue attack straight at your face. Adorable? Absolutely. Annoying? Perhaps. Risky? In some cases, yes. But it also raises the question: why do dogs insist on licking our faces?
Face-licking is one of the quirkiest and most intimate ways dogs communicate. While it can feel like a messy greeting, it’s deeply rooted in instinct, social behavior, and even health-related factors. Understanding why your furry friend treats your cheeks like a tasty treat can help you appreciate — or manage — this behavior.
Instinct from Puppyhood
From the moment they are born, puppies explore the world with their mouths. One of the earliest behaviors observed is licking their mother’s face to stimulate regurgitation of food. While it may sound unappetizing to us, in the dog world, this is completely normal and vital for survival.
