Licking scents?

[Anne123]

Finn has come up with a rather peculiar habit in my opinion....When I walk him on lead he starts licking grass, leaves, trees etc. He used to have a sniff and trotted along. Now I have to drag him away. Not once but several times. Off lead he will do the same, but catching up with me sooner or later. I sometimes have to wait until his Majesty is finished....What could this be? No ladies in heat, that’s what I thought first.

 

[snowbunny]

Shadow does this when it's a particularly good scent, especially when his testosterone levels are raised like they are now. It's always where an animal has had a wee and it's just a way to get more of the scent than sniffing alone. I let him at it, it doesn't bother me.

 

[M.F.]

Snowie could join the municipal clean-up services as Chief Wee Licker. He cleans the pavements and walls thoroughly! I imagine it must be quite good for his micribiome (one hopes!). I notice he tends to lick a lot more if it belongs to a dog he’s not keen on—perhaps trying remove all trace of him? Well, I surmise, based on some times when I’ve seen ahead of us a dog he doesn’t like make a wee, then when Snowie gets there, he gives it a really good lick.

I did also think he licked to get a better sense of the smell, cos I don’t think he has such a great nose.

 

[Beanwood]

Yup, Benson had started doing this...usually no amount of distraction can lure him away, so I expect a very interesting scent. I suspect hormone related as Benson couldn't give a monkeys about anything else!

 

[Stacia]

I reckon it is a bitch who has been on heat, even if you are not aware of any being around