Why Do Chihuahuas Lick So Much? [2024 Updated Guide]

Chihuahuas may be tiny in size, but they have prominent personalities. Surprisingly, this dog breed is known for being the perfect watchdog. They love getting along with people and require minimal exercise, making them low-maintenance dogs. They are excellent companion dogs with a life span of 10 to 18 years. And, how could we forget! They are the world’s smallest dog breed that grows only 6 to 9 inches in height at the shoulder and weighs around 3 to 6 pounds.

Sounds like the ideal dog, right? But some owners face a problem with their chihuahua because they lick so much. Now, that is a problem most people would love to have. But we understand that too much of anything can become annoying. Some owners might think that this is a result of an ill-mannered dog, but it could not be the case for every dog. Several factors contribute to your chihuahua’s licking habits; we just want you to understand their behavior and treat them well.

What Does Too Much Licking In Chihuahuas Indicate?

Many Chihuahuas lick their owners and other dogs to show their affection; sometimes, they might also do this to submit themselves. Another reason could be the need to feel groomed and clean.

On the contrary, excessive licking can be a sign of a compulsive disorder caused by many things such as stress, pain, boredom, and anxiety. As a dog owner, you must learn to recognize the cause behind your dog’s licking to come up with proper solutions.

So we have tried to list out all the causes for you and also included the solutions. Decode the secrets behind your Chihuahuas licking by finishing this short read!

What Can Chihuahuas Lick?

Let us try to understand what kind of things a Chihuahua might feel inclined to lick; then, we shall look at the reasoning behind them. Some Chihuahuas are always busy licking their own body; this can also include their feet, paws, and lips. On the other hand, some Chihuahuas love to lick their owners, especially the face and their feet. We can all come to an agreement that the weirdest one of them all is the ones who lick random things around the house like your carpet, furniture, etc.

Why Does My Chihuahua Lick Me?

If you do not like how your Chihuahua licks you, you must train them to stop this behavior during their puppy stage. But the good side of licking is that it makes the bond stronger between you and your dog.

Love And Respect

When Chihuahuas lick you out of love and respect, it is a part of their herd instinct. Wolves, the ancestors of dogs, lick their mother’s mouth whenever in need of food. So they may think of you as their mother and are trying to show you the same love and respect they would have for her.

Affection

Dogs naturally love beings; it is common for dogs to lick their owners, which is considered a sign of affection. It is the same for Chihuahuas; in fact, licking is a sign of love shown by the mother in this dog breed. The mother licks her puppy to clean, urinate, and defecate, all caregiving signs relating to affectionate behavior.

Why Does My Chihuahua Lick My Face?

Excessive licking on the face can be annoying for many dog owners, but understanding the cause behind this behavior might give you a better insight. Although these reasons are strange and funny, we still want you to know about them.

Tasting Your Food

So did you eat something delicious and lip-smacking while you were around your Chihuahua? because the chances are that your dog wants to get a taste of the food. We cannot blame them; who doesn’t love food? So they could simply be licking around your face to taste or smell the food that you just ate.

Taste Of Skin

The taste of your sweat is salty, and dogs love that. So every time you find your Chihuahua licking you without any reason, then it is highly likely that they want to taste your skin. Like us liking MSG in our Chinese takeout, it is addictive and makes an excellent analogy. Your face is a Chihuahua’s salt and vinegar chip. We know. Yikes!

Submissive

Dogs still have the instincts of their ancestors, the Wolves! If you know about wolf packs, you can quickly notice that they have a hierarchical system. Young wolves submit to the stronger leaders and alpha males of the pack. It is a sign of respect and acknowledgment in Wolves. So if your dog is submitting to you by licking, then then they probably recognize you as the leader of their pack.

Why Do Chihuahuas Lick Furniture?

Is your Chihuahua wreaking havoc in your house by licking random things and grossing everyone out? Scheme through this small list, and you might have clarity on your dog’s issues.

Gastrointestinal Disorder

Licking furniture around the house could be a health issue. Chihuahuas occasionally have something known as a gastrointestinal disorder. A common symptom of this health issue is excessively licking one particular place on the floor, carpet, bed, or couch. Another sign is furrowing their forehead and panting for air. If you observe this in your Chihuahua, then it is time to take your pet to a vet!

Texture

As children, we loved nibbling and sucking on things just because we liked the texture. The action felt rewarding due to how a particular thing felt in our mouth. When it comes to Chihuahua, they experience the world with their tongues and noses. Therefore, whenever they find something mildly interesting, they tend to lick, taste or smell that thing.

Licking Food Or Drink

Dropped something delicious on the couch or spilled a drink on your carpet? Your Chihuahua will lick it right off for you, for free! The best cleaning service in the whole wide world. As you know by now, your Chihuahua could be licking random things because you spilled food on them. If you wish to break this habit of theirs, try being careful with spillage and clean the floor whenever you get the chance.

Why Does My Chihuahua Lick Themself?

If your Chihuahua licks themself, these are clear signs of self-obsession, and your dog is the reincarnation of a drag queen (Just Kidding). Here are the reasons that could justify why your Chihuahuas lick themselves.

Anxious

Separation anxiety is common in dogs. Have you noticed yourself doing weird things when you were anxious? Like shaking a leg, biting nails and lips? Similarly, Chihuahuas resort to licking themselves when they feel anxious. Remember that humans are not the only ones who experience anxiety; it is pretty noticeable in dogs. Whenever your dog licks themselves out of anxiety, they are trying to ease their discomfort and stress.

Bored

Boredom is challenging to deal with; people resort to doing all kinds of weird things to help with lethargy. Dogs can not get rid of boredom as efficiently as humans do, so it manifests in strange ways. A Chihuahua might start continuously scratching, biting, or licking their body to ease the boredom. They might temporarily get rid of the boredom, but the long-term effects of this habit can be detrimental to their body.

Irritated Skin

Infections can irritate the skin due to a lack of moisture, which is common during winters. It also happens because of an unbalanced diet that leads to a lack of fatty acid in the body. So check for any area that looks dry, red, or distinct on your Chihuahua’s body. Your pet is licking that area to heal the dry skin by adding moisture, but it may or may not work for many reasons.

Excessive Licking

Excessive licking is a sign of over-grooming where the dog is trying their best to calm down. It can last for hours, and that is how you distinguish this action from regular grooming. If they go on for too long, try to distract them with a toy and reward them for diverting their attention towards you.

Grooming

Chihuahuas are known for staying clean and grooming themselves. Since their little paws cannot hold combs and brush their coat, they prefer licking their entire body to groom and clean. It is common for two Chihuahuas to get along and do this activity to show affection while cleaning each other. If anything, you should be proud of your dog for maintaining hygiene.

How To Stop Your Chihuahua From Licking?

There are a few measures that you can take to stop your Chihuahuas from licking. We recommend taking these steps if your pet is anxious. So the first thing you can do is, make the environment dog-friendly and get rid of all the stressors. Keep your pet in a room that is calm and cool, away from all the loud noises and humidity.

You must have heard that dogs imitate their owner’s energy, well try to remain composed around them and watch how your dog picks up on your energy. Whenever you are around them, be gentle and move slowly.
If nothing works, you can enroll them in an excellent training program and take them to a behaviorist. Also, make sure that their diet contains all the essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins. You can also opt for high-quality supplements and go the extra mile for your Chihuahua.

Give them a nice treat whenever they refrain from licking after you distract them; this will work wonders for all dogs. Other common causes are hormonal imbalance, pain, and parasites. In this scenario, do not rely upon home remedies; take your dog to a reputed veterinarian; start their treatment as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Chihuahuas can be difficult to handle because they are like tiny bolts of energy. As an owner, you should be ready to deal with their tantrums, but we can avoid most of them if you train them well. If your chihuahua indulges in excessive licking, you should visit a veterinarian or a dog behaviorist. We hope this article has helped you in pinpointing the reasons behind why your chihuahua licks so much. If not, then we recommend professional guidance to resolve this matter.

What Does Too Much Licking In Chihuahuas Indicate?

What Can Chihuahuas Lick?