People believed that dog saliva could heal wounds in ancient times, but this is now considered a myth.Dogs, cats, and many animals are known for licking wounds instinctively, and a vet will always say a dog licking will do more harm than good. If they find something that hurt, they will lick it.Humans once thought that if they allowed dogs to lick their wounds, the healing properties in the saliva would instantaneously heal the wounds. But this is discarded now, and doctors do not recommend this practice. However, dogs lick their wounds as a reflex action similar to humans rubbing their hands after bumping them against the wall. Canine saliva does have some mild antibacterial effects that might help the pet. Wild dogs and feral dogs lick their wounds to clean them. But these wild dogs spend much time hunting and looking for food, so the wound healing through licking is not that extensive. Whereas in pet dogs, wound licking is for a more extended time, making it sore. As a pet owner, you must limit dogs’ wound licking, especially the open ones.Dogs love licking, whether licking their owners or their wounds. There are a few potential benefits to letting your dog lick their wounds, but the risks outweigh the benefits of a dog’s saliva. A dog licks its wounds to reduce pain and promote healing in the process. Dogs do not have hands like us to care for their wounds. So the best thing they can do is wound licking with their mouth to try and heal it. The mouth is the only organ available at a dog’s disposal.During Egyptian times, a dog lick was believed to cure infections and give better health to human beings. In Greece, during the old days, dogs at the shrine of the god of medicine, Aesculapius, were trained for licking the patients’ wounds. Dogs licking with the tongue was meant to be helpful in the recovery of serious illnesses; however, with the emergence of modern medicine, these practices are no longer used. Animals continue to lick their wounds to protect their health.If you enjoyed this article, why not also read about why do dogs lick themselves and why do dogs lick their lips here on Kidadl?Why do dogs lick their own wounds and other pups’?Dog saliva contains some healing properties that can help disturb infection by bacteria. A protein called tissue factor is present, which helps in a dog’s blood clotting. Dog saliva also contains opiorphin, which acts as a painkiller.Like many animals like rodents, cats, primates, and horses, dogs are also known for licking their wounds as an instinctive behavior. The mouths of these animals are the only remedy they have to counter the pain. The saliva of your pets may contain antibacterial medicine that can help with the dog’s pain and cure the infection caused by bacteria. These antimicrobial properties in the saliva of the dog work against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus Canis but do not have the capability to heal the wound.Many experts have said that it is not advised to let your canine pets lick their wounds. The licking of the animal will disrupt the natural healing process of the wound in the skin. Licking will clean away the dirt and debris but doing it excessively might irritate the wound and lead to infections. The debris may also go inside the wound and cause infections that only a veterinarian can cure. If the wound has started to heal, licking might reopen it.If a veterinarian has performed surgery in that area, licking can break down the stitches. This is why many vets give dogs a cone-shaped Elizabethan collar after surgery. This collar is beneficial as it keeps the mouth away from the sutures. A mother dog will protect the skin of her puppies by licking them as the dogs have a belief that they can cure anything just by being licked.Why do dogs lick human wounds?Animals have an instinct that if someone is hurt and has a wound, the best course of action is to lick it and try healing it.If the owners are hurt, dogs are the first to come to the rescue and try to take care of their masters’ pain. Soothing their companion is the first sign of affection they show, and the dogs’ compassion is limitless. Dogs licking wounds is just an instinct like us humans have. There were believes in the older days that the saliva of a dog could heal all wounds. Yes, it is partly true as the dog can clean the area properly, and the dog’s saliva even has some healing properties.As dogs consider you part of their family, they take the responsibility to take care of you and your wounds. However, be careful. Licking by the dog can clean your wounds but also cause other infections. Sometimes a dog might even lick to try and open the bandage in their wound so that they might be licking you for the same reason too.Do dog licks have healing powers?A dog licking wounds can be a sign of medical help as a dog’s saliva has some healing properties.Licking by a dog might offer protection against some bacteria, but it has many disadvantages too. Centuries ago, people believed that a dog’s saliva contained healing powers that could cure all wounds. But doctors have now dismissed this theory. Doctors think there is some medical use of dog licking, but the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.How do you keep a dog from licking a wound?There are several ways by which you can keep a dog from self-destructing.Recommended by a veterinarian near you, E-collar or cone is used to keep the dogs’ mouths away from the wounds. Dogs will often try to open the bandage and the sutures to lick the wound, which will cause more harm and hinder the healing process. The dog cone or recovery collar will help the wound remain clean, enabling it to heal faster. There are many sizes these cones come in for all different breeds you have. If the wound is near the torso or the dog has gone through an abdominal surgery, recovery shirts can be used. These keep the dogs away from injuries as well as protect them from dirt, water, and debris.Paw bandages can help prevent our furry friends from licking cuts and wounds on the paws. They are breathable and self-adhesive to keep them intact in the region they are put in. You can also use liquid bandage sprays for minor cuts, and these create a layer to protect the wounds from dirt.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do dogs lick wounds, then why not take a look at why do dogs pant or what are non-alphanumeric characters.
People believed that dog saliva could heal wounds in ancient times, but this is now considered a myth.
