Why do dogs lick feet with athlete’s foot?

Dogs lick feet with athlete's foot because of the smell and the salt. Athlete's foot thrives on sweaty feet, and the combination of salty sweat and the strong odor of the fungal infection is very interesting to a dog's powerful nose. It's not a sign that your dog is trying to heal you – and it's best not to let them, because the fungi behind athlete's foot are related to those that cause ringworm in dogs.

Keep reading to find out why dogs are drawn to your feet and whether licking a fungal infection can cause problems for you or your dog.

Dog Licks My Feet Fungus: Here’s Why?

Licking is a normal behavior in the canine world. Your pooch licks your feet to communicate with you and express their affection. This behavior can be slightly unpleasant and odd for some pet owners, especially if your pup licks regularly. Still, licking is the way your pup expresses its emotions. Dogs lick themselves a lot too; we compare whether dogs clean themselves like cats.

But what if your dog licks feet with an athlete’s foot? Why are they obsessed with licking smelly feet and having fungal infections? These are some questions most pet owners ponder about. 

Your feet are one of the parts of the body that sweats the most. Human sweat contains large amounts of sodium chloride, a type of salt that’s added to your food. Your furry buddy enjoys the salty taste; no wonder they find your athlete’s feet attractive to lick. 

Sweat combined with the fungal infection can give your feet a very bad smell. Turns out, most canine pets think smelly things mean it’s something tasty to lick. That’s why salty feet having a fungal infection is a tasty treat your pooch finds hard to resist.

Can Dogs Smell Toenail Fungus?

Dogs have a strong sense of smell which is why they are attracted to licking your feet. In general, dogs constantly lick all over their owners. It’s their instinct to explore the world around them, including their owners. Their strong sense of smell and taste is what provokes them to explore by sniffing and licking. 

In addition to the numerous biological information, your feet also have pheromones unique to each individual. These chemicals emitted from your body have the ability to impact the behavior of your pet animal. To be exact, your feet function more like a pheromone factory. With your canine pet’s sense of smell more sensitive than yours, it’s no wonder they’re fascinated, but your feet smell. The same interest in your scent explains why your dog brings you socks.

On top of that, if your feet have any toenail fungal infection or athlete’s foot, the pungent smell spikes your dog’s interest, making them want to lick and explore more. 

Is Athlete’s Foot Contagious To Dogs?

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is caused by dermatophytes, a group of fungi that live on skin, hair and nails. Dogs don't get athlete's foot as such, but they do get infections from closely related dermatophytes, which is known as ringworm. Ringworm isn't limited to the feet; it can show up anywhere on the body, and it can pass between dogs, other animals and people.

Don't confuse this with yeast infections of the skin and paws, which are common in dogs but are caused by a different organism (Malassezia) and are not considered contagious.

The fungi that cause athlete's foot in people are mostly adapted to humans, so the risk to your dog is low, but it isn't zero. It's sensible to keep your dog from licking feet with athlete's foot, especially if your dog's skin is broken or has open wounds. If they ever get infected, avoid using creams or medications made for humans without consulting the vet.

Can Dogs Get Athlete’s Foot From Humans?

It's possible, but uncommon. Fungal skin infections can pass from you to your dog and, more often, from dogs to people – ringworm caught from pets is a well-known example. Still, in most cases human athlete's foot spreads from person to person, and dog ringworm spreads from animal to animal.

In dogs, a fungal infection usually looks like round patches of hair loss with scaly, crusty or red skin, and it isn't restricted to the paws. If you notice this, take your dog to the vet. Ringworm is diagnosed with tests and usually treated with medicated shampoos or dips, antifungal creams and sometimes oral medication.

Fungal infections are mostly transmitted through direct contact with the skin or by using infected materials like bedding, towels, or coming in contact with infected surfaces. The good news is that fungal infections in dogs are treatable, although treatment can take several weeks. To limit the spread, treat your athlete's foot, wear socks or slippers at home, wash towels and bedding regularly, and don't let your dog lick your feet until the infection has cleared. We look at a related question in can you get sick from sharing water with a dog.

Can Dog Licking Cure Your Athlete’s Foot?

Usually, people wash off their canine pet saliva from their skin as soon as possible. However, some individuals having fungal infections take a different approach. To cure this pesky skin issue, some let their dog lick their feet, as dog saliva is said to have properties that help cure fungal infections.

So, can your pet dog’s saliva cure the athlete’s foot? Tread with caution if you’re taking this route. 

Some individuals claim that dog licking has helped cure their athlete’s foot, but there is no evidence that it works. Dog saliva has some mild antibacterial properties, but it also carries plenty of bacteria that can cause infections when it comes in contact with cracked or broken skin – which is common with athlete's foot. Licking also keeps the skin moist, which fungi love. Over-the-counter antifungal creams or powders are the better option, and see a doctor if it doesn't clear up.

Final Thoughts On Athlete’s Foot Dog Licking

Most pet owners find it comforting to get a lick from their canine buddy after a long and tiring day. At the same time, some people find this behavior to be scornful and condemn it. While there are many reasons why your dog licks your feet, one of the top candidates that attract them is your feet’ odor. 

With an athlete’s foot giving off a pungent odor, dogs consider it a tasty snack to lick and enjoy. Your feet have a wide range of odors that your pet dog can easily detect with their powerful nose. Even if you feel your feet are odor-free and perfectly clean, your dog will be able to sniff and figure out the remaining scents.

Whether you like it or not, dogs licking your feet is considered to be generally safe. However, it's best to keep your dog away from your feet while you have warts, cuts or a fungal infection, and to check with your vet if your dog develops patchy hair loss or itchy, scaly skin.