If you’re a Basset Hound owner, you may have noticed that your furry friend licks a lot. This behavior can be confusing and concerning, but there are several reasons why Basset Hounds lick.
Basset Hounds may lick due to hunger and dehydration, as a way of showing affection, as a pack trait, for grooming, seasonal and food allergies, anxiety, boredom, as a habit, to calm down, as a way of communication, excitement, and attention-seeking.
It’s important to be aware of these reasons in detail because Basset Hounds may lick due to normal and abnormal circumstances. In our upcoming discussion, we’ll explore the possible causes of excessive licking in Bassets and provide you with tips for addressing this behavior. Don’t miss out on this informative conversation that can help you better understand your furry friend and keep them healthy and happy.
Reasons why some Basset Hounds lick so much
A few weeks ago, I received some questions about Basset hounds from an old friend of mine. After responding to him, I decided to write several articles about them.
So, I went to see a few owners get reliable information and experience about them. As a result, I came up with several articles about Basset hounds.
Well, there are a number of reasons why Basset hounds lick so much. Here are 13 common causes.
- As a pack trait
- Way of showing love and Affection
- Hunger and Dehydration
- Grooming
- Seasonal Allergies and Food allergies
- Due to anxiety and Boredom
- To calm down
- As a habit.
- Like the taste of food
- As a way of communication
- Excitement
- Attention seeking
- Sickness
Basset hounds lick as a pack trait
Dogs are pack animals, and most importantly, they care about each other. Every dog has the traits of its ancestors. Dogs are extremely sensitive, and they can understand whether a pack member is sick or not by just licking.
That’s how they cared about each other.
If you lay down on the floor, your Basset hound might think you are not feeling good. Then he will come immediately and lick you. But he just wanna help you to feel better.
Because every member of your household is a member of its package.
Way of showing love and Affection
The Basset hounds are extremely affectionate and love to have a human companion all over the day. So, they tend to lick their owners as a way of showing their affection and love.
In fact, this would be more likely the response of being affectionate toward them, such as petting, cuddling them. So, when your dog licking you, he might let you know that he trusts you and you are one of the parts of its pack.
Hunger and Dehydration
Hunger and Dehydration are one of the other major reasons why some Basset hounds lick so much. You should provide drinking water to your Basset hound in order to keep them from dehydration.
Most people think these dogs are extremely lazy and don’t like to engage in outdoor activities. But, you know what, Basset hounds love to play fetch, running, and other outdoor games.
But, The fact is that they don’t have high strength and can not withstand strenuous exercise. So, giving limited exercise and a sufficient amount of water and food is crucial in order to keep them healthy.
Basset hounds tend to lick as Grooming
One of the reasons why your Basset hound lick you is grooming you. In most cases, they would like to groom themselves by licking themselves.
In fact, they do love to lick each other, like when a Basset hound mom grooms its puppies. This factor is also one of the reasons why they lick you!
Seasonal Allergies and Food allergies
This is something where you really wanna be aware of. Basset hounds used to lick due to seasonal allergies and food allergies.
When it comes to seasonal allergies, it could happen during summer and spring. Check if your Basset hound soothes its paws more frequently during these seasons. If so, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Read this article to understand why do some Basset Hounds refuse to eat.
As dog owners, people should be more careful when choosing a diet for their dogs. The wrong foods can cause food allergies and can sometimes be really dangerous in the long run.
So, I wanna emphasize here that basset hounds tend to lick more frequently due to food allergies. If you figure out that your dog is licking excessively, check if there are any other symptoms of food allegories. If so, consult a Veterinarian asap!
Basset hounds may lick due to anxiety and Boredom
In case of Boredom or anxiety, such as
- The fear of being home alone
- Traveling
- Abandonment
- loud noises
- being around strange people, other pets, Children.
the Basset hounds may lick excessively.
But, if your dog is well-socialized, this won’t happen when being around other people or pets. Because they are incredibly social dogs and Basset hounds love to have a companion all over the day.
To calm down
Most dogs tend to lick their lips as they feel hyper, or an incident where could lead them to become aggressive.
So, we can see this licking behavior when your basset hound tries to calm down after an aggressive behavior. Except for behavioral problems, it is actually normal behavior.
Basset hounds lick as a habit.
Most Basset hounds used to lick their paws, toys, owners as a habit. This is actually a normal circumstance, and there is nothing to worry about.
Like the taste of food
Frankly, This is one of the most straightforward ways to check if your basset hound loves its meals. If so, He would lick his lips for at least 30 minutes.
Basset hounds lick as a way of communication
Dogs often lick their lips as a way of communication. But, what do you think if your dog licks its lips? Probably you may think that he might be eating something or must have eaten something lately.
But that isn’t the only case. I mean, if you cannot find a piece of food or a sign of food next to your Basset hound, there should have something else problem.
In most cases, dogs use body language instead of verbal communication to communicate with you. So, in such cases, they usually lick their lips to express their feelings.
This could often happen when,
- When confused
- When hungry
- Appeasement gesture
So, be mindful of such instances.
Excitement
This factor is also one of the common reasons why does your Basset hound lick you. It will most likely happen when you return home.
Basset hounds lick as attention seeking
Usually, Basset hounds are seeking loads of attention and care from their owners. If the dog owner has a really tough schedule, this could happen.
But, attention-seeking could also be a behavioral problem. Engaging in regular walks with your Basset hound would be a great way to increase the bond between both of you.
But, It is very important to give adequate attention to your dog as a lifestyle habit.
Suggested Reading: Why does your dog lick you after he eats?
Sickness
Most basset hounds tend to lick due to a variety of health problems. Don’t try to apply home remedies. The only option you have is consulting a veterinarian.
How to get your Basset hound to stop licking?
Even though Basset hounds lick due to both normal and abnormal circumstances, this behavior can be annoying in many cases. So, you should do something to solve this problem.
First, you need to figure out what the exact cause is. Then the remedy process can be done.
How to get your Basset hound to stop licking? This mainly depends on what the basset hound licks. But the common methods are not giving it attention when it licks, giving toys, puzzle toys, rewarding for not licking, using a bitter spray, giving sufficient exercises, consulting a veterinarian.
Don’t give attention when your basset hound licks you!
This is one of the good practices you can do to eliminate your dog’s possible behavioral problems. As we discussed above, some basset hounds are used to lick just to grab your attention.
Actually, that is some kind of bad behavior problem, and it can get worse over time. So, when the next time your dog licks you to get your attention, ignore him and don’t give any attention.
This will make them feel that licking for getting attention is not gonna work anymore!
Reward your dog for not licking
This is a really handy way to eliminate such kinds of bad behaviors. This is pretty much easier to do, and I highly suggest you follow the video below.
Give him sufficient exercises.
Lack of exercise could be one reason why does our Basset hound licks you excessively. In fact, this could lead to a handful of problems such as,
- Rough playing
- Excess barking
- Destructive behavior
- Depression or Sluggishness
- Weight gain
- Restlessness
Give him toys.
This problem could quickly eliminate by using toys. In most cases, chew toys are really great, and they can be kept distracted all over the day.
I should mention here that this option is slightly temporary and won’t stop this issue permanently.
Use Bitter spray
The Bitter spray can be used if you wanna keep your Basset hound from licking or chewing any kind of your belongings. The smell and taste are really disgusting to them. So, they won’t lick it.
Be patience
As we understood so far, the Basset hounds tend to lick due to several reasons. But, have you noticed that there is one reason that would be most interesting for everyone?
Well, that is these dogs lick as a way of showing their love and affection. They cannot talk and say, “I love you!” So, they use that way to express their feelings.
So, what I wanna emphasize here is that you have to be patient since this behavior could also be normal circumstances.
Consult a Veterinarian
If you cannot understand the exact problem, and If you feel something is wrong, consult a Vet immediately.
Things to be aware of
When we discuss Basset hounds and their licking, you should always be aware of several essential things. So, it’s time to figure out what they are!
Start young
As you have understood so far, several causes are really behavioral issues. So, you have to do several things to eliminate such problems.
But, what if you give your Basset hound good training not to lick at it’s young age? It will be easy for everyone.
Puppies are extremely sociable creatures, and they are more likely to be responsible to their owners. So, this effort will definitely be paid off by becoming this positive behavior as a habit of your dog.
Don’t let your Basset hound lick your face.
Most people think of this as an excellent way to express your feelings to them. But the fact is, this can be really dangerous in a case where the dog could have been licking something or somewhere that has germs. So, Germs can easily enter the body.
Especially if you have kids in your room, This is something you need to take seriously.
Conclusion
Most people love these most affectionate ground creatures. But what most people dislike about them is the Basset hounds lick so much due to various reasons. In this article, we have discussed those possible causes and the possible solutions to eliminate that problem. Hope you found this helps. Have a nice day!
