Dog Community

Weird dog Behavior - Riley

Posted : 8/8/2012 8:07:14 AM

Riley has this weird funny habit that is making the cats here crazy! She loves to sit and lick them - head, ears, neck, chest, front legs, over and over till kitty is SOAKED! Bobby is the only one who has stayed long enough to get really wet, but all of them have had quite a licking he heee.

Any thoughts WHY she does this?

I haven't use any topical insecticides on the cats for a few years, so at least I don't have to worry she will get herself sick. Bobby - and all the cats -- finally get sick of the licking and leave -- to groom themselves, ha haaa.

JackieG

Posted : 8/8/2012 9:29:38 AM

My dog Rex used to groom our kitty, Coconut. Sometimes grooming is a submissive behavior in dogs but I don't know how it would be interpreted between species. I figured Rex loved his kitty and his kitty loved the grooming. :)

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/8/2012 9:40:06 AM

Riley is your newbie, right?

Complete guess: I'd say she's been reared with cats and knows they groom themselves & she's trying to bond with the cats. Does she prefer the cat company to the dogs?

PawMaid

Posted : 8/8/2012 11:21:42 AM

I was thinking along the same line as Calliecritturs or maybe its a stress / OCD thing . One of my dogs use to lick the carpet like that.

We had to redirect his attention and the behavior.

Our cats and dogs do try and clean / lick each other.Magnus will sometimes try to clean Vinny ears, but Vinny is a unwilling participant and our dogs hate it when the cats try to clean them.

JackieG

Posted : 8/8/2012 11:59:59 AM

calliecritturs
I'd say she's been reared with cats and knows they groom themselves & she's trying to bond with the cats

I've had many dogs who were raised with cats and other than Rex (not raised with cats) none have ever groomed the cats in order to bond. The possibility that it's OCD is a good guess.

Freedom

Posted : 8/8/2012 3:44:59 PM

Someone sent me this link, just what Riley does, arm over the cat's back, cat leans in to it for a bit (if the cat is Bobby). The other cats just stalk off, lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yML_Fume1gw&playnext=1&list=PL508AFB5042E88A4F&feature=results_main

Seems it's nothing to worry about, not like she does this all day long, the cats won't allow that!