Why Does My Dog Lick My Other Dog’s Pee?

Are you lucky enough to own more than one dog, but you have noticed that one dog licks the other dog’s urine?

Would you like to know why they do this and should you be concerned about it?

Could it indicate a potential problem?

Is there any risk from one dog licking another dog’s pee?

Let’s find out the answer to all these questions.

Why Does My Dog Lick My Other Dog’s Urine?

There are several reasons why one dog would lick another dog’s pee.

These can include medical conditions, stress-related behavioral issues, or natural curiosity.

Here is a more in-depth list of reasons dogs might lick another dog’s urine:

1. Natural canine curiosity.
2. Dehydration.
3. Canine pica (consuming non-food items).
4. Behavioral issues due to problems with emotional well-being.

Now let’s look at each of these reasons in more detail and help you figure out which one may be affecting your pup.

1. Natural Curiosity

Dogs explore the world using their noses and mouths, similarly to humans using their eyes and hands.

Your dog may just be licking your other dog’s pee out of curiosity.

Solution: Don’t worry about it, or use the below training method to train them out of this behavior pattern.

2. Dehydration

If your dog is dehydrated, it may drink your other dog’s pee to satiate its thirst.

If this dehydration is temporary and only because they haven’t had a drink for a while, it’s nothing to worry about. Just give them some water to drink asap.

However, if your dog is frequently dehydrated, even with plenty of water to drink, this could indicate an underlying medical condition.

Solution – If your dog is frequently dehydrated, take them to a veterinary surgeon for a check-up.

NOTE – You might also find this post about why dogs like their own pee interesting to read.

3. Canine Pica (Consuming Non-Food Items)

Pica is the technical term for eating or drinking non-food items. Lots of animals do it, including humans and dogs.

Dogs may engage in this behavior for various reasons, such as stress, boredom, or just making a mistake (such as thinking a rubber chew toy is edible).

Solution – If you are worried about your dog eating and drinking non-food items, you should take them to the vet to double-check there is nothing to worry about.

NOTE – Before you continue reading, you might enjoy this short but really interesting video.

The video looks at all the reasons why dogs lick things. Just click the image to play:

 

NOTE – You might like to read this post looking at the question: why do dogs like beer so much?

4. Behavioral Issues Due Problems with Emotional Well-Being

Sometimes new behavior traits in dogs can be caused as a response to a drop in emotional well-being.

If something has changed in the dog’s life that is upsetting them, they may start acting differently in unforeseen ways, such as another dog’s licking pee.

Solution – Try to assess and identify any new circumstances that could be stressing or disturbing your dog, then try to improve the dog’s environment to reduce their stress levels.

Related Post: Do Dogs Find Other Dogs Attractive?

What Should You Do if Your Dog Licks Your Other Dog’s  Pee?

The simple answer is to find out what might be causing the issue and then take action to resolve it if you think it needs attention.

If the licking isn’t frantic or obsessive and seems like natural curiosity, then the chances are there is nothing more you need to do.

If you are concerned that there may be a medical reason for the behavior, especially if your dog is showing other signs of ill health, such as excessive thirst or urination, you should take them to the vet.

NOTE – Why not check out this post asking why don’t dogs use litter boxes?

Should You be Worried if One Dog Licks Your Other Dog’s Urine?

There is no risk to the dog that is licking the urine. They won’t get sick from licking it.

In most cases, this is just normal canine behavior. However, keep an eye on both dogs for any signs of pain, stress, or ill health that suggest a trip to the vet is needed.

An Important Note About the Other Dog

If the urine-licking is a new behavior, it could be that the dog doing the licking is picking up on a fresh scent in the other dog’s pee.

This new scent could be an early indicator of a health condition in the dog that urinated.

So you should keep a close eye on this dog, make sure they isn’t any blood in their urine and watch out for any signs of sickness, stress, or pain.

If you notice anything concerning, you should take them to the vet to get checked out.

How to Stop Your Dog From Licking Your Other Dog’s Pee

When training a dog not to lick, we first need to remember that licking is a perfectly natural behavior for them.

This means it might be hard to eliminate the pee-licking, and you should only try to do so with good reason.

With that said, there is a simple two-step process that should be effective with most dogs:

1. Use the “No” command to stop the licking.
2. Use distraction and praise to redirect the dog’s attention.

Let’s look at each step more closely:

Training and Using the “No” Command

If you have not already trained your dog to obey the no command, you should prioritize it.

Select a behavior you want them to stop doing – in this case, licking your other dog’s urine.

Then you need to catch them in the act of doing it, say “No” in a firm voice, and physically stop them from doing it.

For example, if your dog was licking your hand, you would pull your hand away and say the “No” command clearly and firmly.

Once they understand the “No” command for hand licking, it will be much easier to train them to understand it in a different context, such as barking or jumping up at people.

So you should work through a few different behaviors until they understand that “No” means stop what they are doing, whatever it is.

Using Distraction and Praise to Encourage A Different Behavior

After successfully using the “No” command to stop the dog from licking your hand, you should reward and distract them.

Give them a treat, pet them, or give verbal praise so they associate stopping with feeling good.

If you keep up with this simple two-step process, you will notice a reduction in this urine-licking behavior.

Not only that, but if they do carry on with the licking, you will be able to stop them much more quickly.

Final Notes On Why Your Dog Licks Your Other Dog’s Pee

If your dog licks your other dog’s urine, it will most likely be due to one of the following reasons:

• They are being curious.
  
• They are suffering from dehydration.
• Canine pica.
• Behavioral issues due to problems with emotional well-being.

Licking the pee isn’t risky for your dog, but it could indicate a medical condition.

If the licking is frantic or obsessive, you should take them to the vet for a check-up.

You should also keep an eye on the dog that’s urine is being licked, just in case they have a medical issue that other dog is picking up on.

The best way to train your dog out of this behavior pattern is to teach them to understand and obey the “No” command.

Ok, so that is all we have for this blog post looking at the question – why does my dog lick my other dog’s pee?

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