Why Does My Dog Lick My Ears? Causes and What To Do

This article, "Why Does My Dog Lick My Ears" was written by Gayle Hickman and reviewed by Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS. Last updated March 16, 2026.

My pit bull, Bunker, has always had a thing for ears. My husband Doug will sit patiently while Bunker licks away to his heart's content. I last about two licks before I call it. Honestly, I think it is one of the ways they bond, and watching them together made me curious: why does my dog lick my ears in the first place?

It turns out there are several reasons behind this behavior, and most of them are completely harmless. Whether your dog licks your ears, your other dog's ears, or anyone who sits still long enough, the motivation is usually rooted in affection, instinct, or simple habit.

Here is what the science and veterinary experience tell us about why dogs lick ears, when it is worth paying attention to, and how to discourage it if it is getting a little out of hand.

Why Does My Dog Lick My Ears?

Ear licking is a surprisingly common dog behavior and it has several possible explanations. Most of the time it is a combination of factors rather than one single reason.

Affection and bonding

The most common reason your dog licks your ears is simply that they love you. Licking is one of the primary ways dogs show affection, and ears are a convenient, accessible target. If your dog tends to do this during quiet moments together, after a long day apart, or while you are sitting still, it is almost certainly their way of saying they are happy you are there.

This kind of affectionate licking is closely related to the grooming behaviors dogs show within their social groups. In the wild, mutual grooming reinforces bonds between pack members. Your dog is essentially treating you as part of their family. You can read more about how dogs communicate affection in our guide to dog body language and behavior.

Grooming instinct

Dogs often lick each other's ears as part of natural grooming. Ears are one of the harder spots for a dog to clean themselves, so licking another dog's ears is a cooperative social behavior. When your dog does this to you, they are following the same instinct -- you are a member of their social group and they are looking after you.

The smell and taste of ear wax

This one is less flattering but completely true. Regardless of how clean you think your ears are, they contain a unique combination of scents and a slightly salty, bitter taste that some dogs find genuinely interesting. Ear wax in particular seems to attract certain dogs more than others. It is not glamorous, but it is a real part of why dogs lick your ears.

Submission

In dog social dynamics, licking another individual's face or ears can be a submissive gesture. Lower-ranking dogs will lick the faces of more dominant animals as a sign of deference and respect. If your dog does this in moments when you have been assertive or after a correction, it may carry a submissive element alongside the affection.

Boredom or habit

Some dogs simply lick ears because they have learned it gets a reaction. If your dog started doing it occasionally and you responded with attention, laughter, or even gentle pushback, they may have decided it is a reliable way to engage you. Over time this can become a habit rather than a meaningful communication. This is similar to other attention-seeking behaviors covered in our article on how to stop a dog from licking you.

Why Do Dogs Lick Each Other's Ears?

The same motivations apply when dogs lick each other's ears, but there is an added layer of social significance. In a multi-dog household, you will often see one dog grooming another's ears as part of their daily interaction. It is a normal, healthy behavior in most cases.

However, there is one important caution here. When one dog repeatedly licks another dog's ears, the constant moisture creates a warm, damp environment inside the ear canal. This is exactly the kind of environment where bacteria and yeast thrive. According to veterinary behavioral research, if one dog in the pair already has an ear infection, the other dog can pick it up through this contact.

If you notice one of your dogs licking the other's ears frequently, check both dogs' ears regularly for signs of infection such as redness, discharge, odor, or head shaking. Ear infections in dogs are more common than many owners realize and are worth catching early. See our guide on signs of ear infections in dogs for what to look out for.

Is It Normal for My Dog to Lick My Ears?

Yes, it is completely normal. Most dogs who lick ears do so occasionally as part of their regular affectionate behavior. It becomes worth paying more attention to when the licking is frequent, intense, or difficult to interrupt.

From a behavioral standpoint, there is nothing inherently harmful about a dog licking your ears occasionally. The main concern is sanitation -- a dog's mouth carries bacteria, and regular contact with your ear canal is not ideal from a hygiene perspective, particularly if you are prone to ear infections yourself. A note from Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS:

Occasional ear licking is nothing to worry about. Where I would advise owners to pay closer attention is if the licking becomes obsessive, if it is directed at one specific ear repeatedly, or if the dog seems agitated or anxious when they cannot lick. In those cases it is worth ruling out an underlying cause.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Most ear licking is benign, but there are a few situations where it is worth taking a closer look.

If your dog is licking their own ears obsessively

A dog that repeatedly licks or scratches at their own ears may be dealing with an underlying issue such as an ear infection, allergies, or a foreign object in the ear canal. This is different from social licking and should not be ignored. Dogs with skin allergies often show ear discomfort as one of the first symptoms.

If the licking between dogs is constant

As mentioned above, persistent dog-to-dog ear licking can cause moisture-related ear infections. If one dog is fixated on licking another's ears for extended periods, it is worth interrupting the behavior and checking both dogs' ears weekly.

If the behavior has become compulsive

Dogs that lick compulsively, whether ears, paws, or other body parts, may be experiencing anxiety or stress. Compulsive licking shares some characteristics with the obsessive self-licking seen in lick granuloma in dogs, and in both cases the underlying emotional state is worth addressing alongside the physical behavior.

How To Stop Your Dog From Licking Your Ears

If the ear licking is something you would rather discourage, the good news is that it responds well to consistent redirection. The key is being consistent -- reacting differently each time just confuses your dog and prolongs the habit.

Redirect their attention

The moment your dog starts licking your ears, calmly get up and redirect them to another activity. A short walk, a training exercise, or a puzzle toy are all effective. Most dogs will quickly forget about the licking once their mind is engaged elsewhere. Some dogs are simply more orally focused than others, and for these dogs having a suitable alternative outlet makes a significant difference.

Use positive reinforcement

When your dog chooses not to lick your ears and settles calmly beside you instead, reward that behavior with quiet praise or a treat. You are teaching them that calm companionship gets them what they want just as effectively as licking.

Avoid inadvertently rewarding the behavior

Laughing, pushing your dog away playfully, or giving them attention the moment they start licking can all reinforce the behavior even if that was not your intention. A calm, neutral response followed by redirection is more effective than any reaction that signals engagement.

Try enrichment toys

For dogs that lick out of boredom, increasing mental stimulation can reduce the behavior significantly. Food puzzle toys that require the dog to work for their meal are particularly effective. This addresses the root cause rather than just the symptom. Our guide on boredom busters for dogs has some practical ideas worth trying.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

References

1. Godey, B., Morandi, X., Bourdiniere, J., and Heurtin, C. "Beware of Dogs Licking Ears." Lancet 354, no. 9186 (October 1999): 1267-1268. https://www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10520644.
2. Overall, Karen L., MA, VMD, PhD, DACVB. Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier Mosby. 2013.
3. Romero, T., Nagasawa, M., Mogi, K., Hasegawa, T., and Kikusui, T. "Oxytocin Promotes Social Bonding in Dogs." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 111, no. 25 (June 2014): 9085-9090. https://www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24927552.
4. Merck Veterinary Manual. "Otitis Externa in Animals." Updated September 2025. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/ear-disorders/otitis-externa/otitis-externa-in-animals.
5. Nuttall, Tim, et al. "Canine Otitis Externa: Treatment and Complications." Veterinary Record 175, no. 13 (September 2014): 1-10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6294027.