Are Dogs Ticklish?

You’re hanging out with your favorite furry friend, giving some love and pets, when suddenly you seem to scratch just the right itch.

A leg may start to twitch, or your dog might wiggle or squirm. If your pooch seems extra excited about a light touch on certain areas of their body, you may have found their “tickle spots.”

But are dogs ticklish, or did you just find the right spot to scratch?

Some dogs are ticklish, but not all.

Research from the University of California, San Diego, notes that knismesis (or the response to very light touch) is found in many types of mammals—including dogs.

But before you start dreaming of tickle fights with your furry BFF, you’ll want to make sure your pet enjoys the interaction. Knowing your dog’s body language can help you determine if you’re both having fun, or if you need to find another spot to scratch.

Are Dogs Ticklish?

Some dogs are ticklish, but not all.

"Like humans, dogs have nerve endings throughout their body and may be more sensitive to touch in certain areas," says Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP. “Dogs have the same receptors in their skin that trigger light skin responses in people, like a feather across the skin or goosebumps when you are chilly.”

But their response to that sensation is not the same as ours, Dr. Mitchell adds. “While dogs do get a different sensation when touched lightly in the right spots, they don’t have the giggle or belly laugh response that people have.”

Those sensitive spots on their body can include their belly, feet, or ears, and they may twitch or wiggle in response to light touches on those sensitive parts.

It’s a reaction that helps them respond quickly to bothersome sensations, like an insect crawling on their skin.

Do Dogs Enjoy Being Tickled?

Just like humans, some dogs can tolerate a little tickling, while others may show signs of irritation or annoyance. Get to know your dog’s body language so you can tell when your pooch is having fun. Happy dogs will have relaxed body language and show playful behavior, and might wag their tail.

Some dogs won’t love being tickled, though. In fact, that cute little leg twitch you may notice is just an involuntary response meant to keep bugs from crawling on their skin.

And you don’t want to “bug” your pet, especially if they show signs of discomfort.

Any time your dog tries to move away, raises their lip, growls, or shows tense body language, it’s time to stop.

How To Tell if Your Dog Enjoys Being Tickled

If you’re not sure if your dog likes being tickled, you can run a “consent test” to see what your dog enjoys.

Gently touch your dog on their belly for three seconds and watch their reaction, says Dana Fedman, a certified dog behavior consultant and founder of Pupstart Family Dog Training, in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Do they clamp their mouth shut and look away? Do they get up and leave? Does their muzzle crinkle up, and do you see the whites of their eyes? Do they get up and come to you?” Fedman asks. If so, those are signs your dog didn’t like it.

Alternatively, she says, there are signs your pooch can send that indicate they’re enjoying your touch. “Do they lie on their back with their mouth open? Do they exhale, making a ‘ha-ha-ha’ sound? Are their eyes bright and happy? That means, ‘More, please!’”

Using the consent test for any type of touch is a great way to find out what your dog dislikes, tolerates, or loves, Fedman says.

Learning to read your dog’s body language can help you understand the signs that let you know they enjoy something (or don’t).

Knowing whether your dog is happy, stressed, embarrassed, or fearful can help build trust between the two of you.

Signs your dogs likes being tickled:

• Leg kicking

• Tail wagging

• Wiggling

• Barking playfully

• Relaxed, loose posture

Signs your dog wants you to stop:

• Yawning

• Tucked ears

• Tucked tail

• White of the eyes showing

• Mouth tension (showing teeth)

What It Means When Your Dog Kicks Their Legs

If your dog kicks their legs while being tickled, it’s a reflex known as the “scratch reflex.”

"This reflex is triggered by the nerves under their skin sending a signal to their brain, causing an automatic kick. It’s usually a different response than the tickle reflex," Dr. Mitchell says. It’s a natural reaction to the stimulation of the nerves and causes an involuntary scratch in the form of an automatic kick. 

As long as your dog is clearly enjoying the experience, it doesn’t matter much whether their leg kicking is a tickle or a scratch—it’s OK to continue.

However, if your dog seems uncomfortable or tries to move away, it’s best to stop. Give them space or switch to an interaction you know they enjoy, like belly rubs or ear scratches.

How Can You Tell if Your Dog Is Ticklish?

As mentioned above, there are several ways to tell if a dog is ticklish. But, not all dogs are ticklish. Some dogs might not react to tickling at all, and that’s perfectly normal.

Each dog is unique, and their “tickle spots” can vary. It’s a lot like how tickling works in humans.

Some people may squirm at the thought of someone touching their feet, while others may not feel any reaction at all, even as a feather brushes up against their toes.

Keep in mind that there is a difference between tickling and scratching:

• Tickling involves light, gentle touches that cause a reflexive response.

• Scratching is usually a bit firmer and is intended to relieve an itch rather than elicit a playful response.

Why Are Dogs Ticklish?

Dogs are ticklish because they have tiny nerve endings all over their body. When these nerve endings are stimulated (such as when petting your pup), a sensation can occur.

Certain areas of the body are more sensitive than others, which is why some dogs have specific tickle spots that may differ from others.

Although we know these nerve endings are there, there is limited research into what specifically makes a dog more ticklish. It’s suspected that dogs have more sensitive nerve endings in their feet—this may be why nail trims can be a struggle for your pup!

Dr. Mitchell explains that tickling in dogs works similarly to how it works with people who are ticklish. “Not all dogs will respond to this type of touch, and they won’t always respond. Other dogs are much more sensitive to it and will consistently respond,” she says.

Where Are Dogs Most Ticklish?

Dogs tend to be most ticklish in certain areas:

• Belly

• Paws

• Sides

• Back

• Armpits

These spots have more nerve endings, making them more sensitive to light touches.

How to Tickle Your Dog

To tickle your dog, use gentle, light touches and watch their reaction.

Start with a familiar petting spot where they’re used to being touched or scratched, like their belly or sides. Use your fingers to lightly graze the area and see if your dog responds with a happy kick or wiggle.