Why do dogs lick wounds?

Wound licking is an instinctive response in humans and many other animals to lick an injury. Dogs, cats, small rodents, horses, and primates all lick wounds. Saliva contains tissue factor which promotes the blood clotting mechanism. read more

It is an instinctive response in dogs, humans, and other animals to attend quickly to wounds, and dogs are just one species who will lick at them to cleanse the area – cats, rodents, and monkeys do the same. read more

Although your dog means well when it tries to lick your wounds, canine saliva can cause infections in humans. As dog bites carry risk of infection, so does licking. It is rare for dog saliva to cause serious injury, but it has in more than one case. read more

Cats, sheep, and other animals also lick their wounds. If you didn't have hands - you might do the same! The benefits of moderate wound licking: The enzymes in dog saliva help destroy the cell walls of dangerous bacteria. Lactoferrin and other antibacterial and anti-viral compounds can also be found in saliva. read more