Have you ever wondered why your dog licks the air?
We've all seen it: your dog will be sitting there, minding his own business, and suddenly they'll start licking at nothing. It can be pretty cute! But why do dogs do this?
The answer is actually pretty simple. Your dog is probably just trying to get a taste of whatever it is they smell—whether it's food or another animal. This behavior is called “licking air.”
When animals lick the air, it's usually because they're trying to catch a scent. For example, if you have a dog who likes to go out hunting, licking air may help them find prey by helping them detect changes in their environment—like the presence of an animal or a person nearby.
But even if your dog isn't trying to hunt or eat anything in particular, they're still doing what comes naturally: smelling things! In fact, dogs have more than 200 million olfactory receptors in their noses (compared with only 5 million for humans). They rely heavily on their sense of smell and use it constantly throughout the day—especially when they're exploring new places or meeting new people!
If you have more questions or wish to schedule Fido for a checkup, please feel free to call us, your local vets York, PA today!
