Why Do Dogs Like Lotion? Is It Tasty for Them? (7 Reasons)

If you are an owner of a dog, the struggle of keeping them away from the lotion on your skin may not be something new to you. 

We all know how strong a dog’s sense of smell is. While this can be a good thing most of the time, it is not very helpful when you are putting on your lotion. 

Why do dogs like lotion so much? Well, if you knew, you wouldn’t be reading this article, would you? 

And yet, we can’t help but be curious to know, so here goes. This article seeks to explore some of the answers to the question of why dogs like to lick body lotion. 

Why Do Dogs Like Lotion?

Do you ever wonder why your dog likes to lick your hands and face? Or why do they always try to steal your lotion? It turns out there are several reasons why dogs like lotion! Check out the seven main reasons below:

#1. Taste

Well, one of the most obvious answers is that they like the taste. But why do dogs like the taste of lotion?

While the lotion you apply on your skin may not be as sumptuous as his bone, a lot of them can be very sweet, and we all know how most dogs come with a sweet tooth. 

So, there you are. However, know that this is no reason for you to sit back and relax, as a lot of body lotions can come with ingredients that can be indeed harmful to dogs. 

While the bottle may display pictures of almond, coconut, and avocado and even come with the refreshing smell of these contents, we all know how most lotions today are not entirely chemical-free. 

#2. It may be a sign of a nutrient deficiency

Licking lotion may be a sign that your dog’s diet is lacking in certain nutrients. This is because certain minerals and vitamins such as essential fatty acids, zinc, and Vitamin A are important for healthy skin and coat.

If your dog is deficient in these nutrients, they may crave the moisturizing and nourishing properties of lotions to compensate for what they are missing in their diet.

For your dog to get all the nutrients they need, it is important to feed them a well-balanced diet appropriate for its breed, age, and activity level.

Must Read: Can dogs eat cream of wheat? Is it safe to feed? Find out now!

#3. Smell

We just spoke about smell sometime back, didn’t we? Why do dogs like licking lotion? Well, simply because they got the smell of it, and chances are they liked it. 

A lot of lotions today, as you saw about, can come with the smell of food. Recall a time when you put on lotion in the past and then just felt like you could eat it because it smelled so good!

Well, now dogs have feelings too, and a more sensitive sense of smell, so you can only imagine what they are going through. 

#4. They Want To Protect You

Well, this should not come as a surprise, knowing how committed dogs are. They just sensed something new about you and have come to protect you, probably by getting to know what it is that you now have on you. 

That said, he may be trying to lick off that foreign scent you now smell of as he thinks it is something harmful to you. Little does he know that it is not as harmful to you as it should be harmful to him in his efforts to lick it off you. 

Poor doggie.

#5. It may be a compulsive behavior

Some dogs may develop a compulsive behavior of licking certain substances as a way to cope with stress or anxiety.

This compulsive behavior may be caused by a variety of underlying issues such as boredom, lack of mental and physical stimulation, separation anxiety, or even as a side effect of certain medications.

In these cases, it is important to address the underlying emotional issue that is causing the stress or anxiety, which may include training, behavior modification, or medication as well as consulting with a veterinarian or a professional animal behaviorist.

#6. Lick For Lick Sake

Okay, now let’s put it this way. It is a fact that dogs love to lick. They simply want to lick and lick their owners because he is deeply in love with you.

And so, smell or no smell, lotion or no lotion, your dog will always come to lick you. 

Now there’s nothing you can do to stop them here, can you? Dogs are affectionate beings, and while they can’t hug and kiss, two ways for them to show their affection for you is to wag their tails when they see you and then come over to lick you. 

Now, they simply believe that in the process, they are making you feel good; after all, isn’t that true? 

And that’s not all! Dogs lick other dogs too. They lick their pups, they lick the other pets around, and they lick you. 

#7. Curiosity

Why do dogs like licking lotion? Well, another good answer could simply be curiosity. Dogs are curious beings, more than us human beings, with their playful nature and their desire to poke their nose into everything. 

Yes, this includes the lotion you apply to your body before sleeping. It could be a source of play for these naughty beings, more so when you try to stop them, which only goes on to make them more determined.

Dogs learn about the world around them by sniffing and licking, and now that your dog is done with the sniffing part of your lotion, he is only going to want to go ahead with some licking.

You Might Also Like: Can dogs breathe through their mouth?

Is It Ok for My Dog to Lick My Lotion?

No, sadly, it is not okay if your dog is licking your lotion off, and you need to find a way to stop this habit, however much you find it sweet and cute. 

Why so? While a little of it with probably just a lick would be okay, if not good, we doubt that it is all your dog would want to do.

Rather he would lick and lick and lick, causing your heart to melt as you let him go on till you finally get to see him drooling and vomiting, and for a dog owner, this would indeed be one of the most painful sights for you. 

Final Thoughts!

Dogs like lotion because it smells good, feels good, and is a tasty treat. If your dog likes to lick lotion off of you, there are some solutions that can help prevent this behavior.

Training your dog with positive reinforcement will help teach them not to lick you and ensure they have plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied. By being patient and persistent, you can train your dog to leave the lotion alone!