Why Does My Dog Lick Other Dogs’ Urine?

Dogs show behaviors we humans don't always understand, like rolling around in certain waste. Another natural, very common behavior is licking other dogs' urine. But... why do they feel tempted to do this?

Actually, a dog picks up a lot of clues about its fellow dogs by licking their urine. The Jacobson's organ (or vomeronasal organ) is responsible for this, since it lets it assess certain information from the urine and send it to the brain. Discover more about this behavior of your canine companion below.

What Happens When My Dog Licks Other Dogs' Urine?

If you're observant, you'll have noticed that after licking urine, your dog lifts its muzzle and presses its tongue against the roof of its mouth. It might look like it's savoring it and that time has stopped for it...

That said, this is most likely due to the Flehmen response. This means that, for a few moments, it stays with its tongue curled in its mouth and doesn't move. What's happening? Well, it's using the Jacobson's organ. Nothing more, nothing less.

This part is located in the vomeronasal bone, between the mouth and nose, and it's responsible for this curious behavior in our canine companions.

When they take this position, a chemical process kicks in that plays a crucial role in reproduction, environmental perception, and their social relationships.

Could My Dog's Health Be at Risk?

Dogs have a strong immune system, which, well supported by required vaccines and regular deworming, will keep your companion in great health.

That's why an occasional lick of another dog's urine shouldn't be a serious problem, since it's an instinctive, natural behavior.

That said, if your furry companion is sick or has a weak immune system, it could catch something by coming into contact with another dog's viruses or bacteria.

In the worst case, your dog could get Leptospirosis from drinking urine or contaminated water. If the inflammation is severe or lasts a long time, it could cause permanent kidney damage.

If you notice the following symptoms in your canine friend, we recommend seeing a vet soon:

• Apathy. It's suddenly stopped showing interest in things it used to enjoy.
• Fever. This always indicates something's wrong, whether paired with other symptoms or not.
• Redness in mucous membranes. The insides of the mouth, nose, and eyes are mucous membranes that, when filled with very reddened little blood vessels, are a warning sign.
• Vomiting. Carefully observe the color, texture, and frequency to report it to your vet.
• Fatigue. This is normal in an older dog, but combined with other symptoms, it's cause for concern.

What's So Interesting About a Dog's Urine?

Surprisingly, dog urine is a much more complex universe of information than we usually imagine. Its composition includes a mix of ammonia, uric acid, bacteria, and hormones.

The Jacobson's organ, with its auxiliary role in the olfactory system, is packed with sensory neurons that detect these chemical compounds, usually large molecules.

A dog's sense of smell connects directly to its brain. From the tongue and through the palate, the magic begins with detecting chemical particles in the vomeronasal organ. From there, in less than a second, your dog is processing the information.

Hormones are a chemical compound that reveal whether that urine belongs to a male or female, or whether the female is in heat, for example. On the other hand, bacteria tell it about the other dog's medical history.

How Should I Act If My Dog Licks Other Dogs' Urine?

If your dog frequently licks other dogs' urine, here's the right way to handle it:

Health Comes First

Keep its vaccination record up to date, deworm it regularly, and feed it quality kibble. This way, it'll stay healthy and happy.

Don't Punish It

This is a normal biological behavior, since it's simply trying to learn from its fellow dogs and its surroundings. Don't put it under pressure over it.

Changing the Habit

If you'd like your dog to drop this behavior, redirect its attention when it starts and encourage it to focus on something else instead of getting angry. Remember, this is instinctive for it — it's not doing anything wrong.

Hygiene Measures

Licks on our face aren't cause for concern, though it doesn't hurt to offer it a bit of water after it's licked another dog's urine. Always maintain good hygiene.

As you can see, this extra precision in their sense of smell gives dogs an ability we could almost consider a superpower. Although it's nothing to worry about excessively, it's a good idea to keep it in check and avoid, as much as possible, letting them lick unfamiliar dogs' urine on the street as a precaution. Does your dog do this often? Tell us about a case you know of where this behavior happens.