Licking can cause some damage if you don’t give your dog enough time and space between licks. For example, if your dog licks his feet for long periods of time without cleaning them regularly, this could lead to bacterial infections and other health issues. Licking can also make your hands smell unpleasant, leave unwanted skin cells on your fingers, and possibly even spread diseases like ringworm. However, most pets will not suffer any serious harm from regular hand-licking. In fact, many pet owners report that their pets actually prefer having their paws licked by humans over being left alone. But if your dog does seem to be suffering from excessive licking, there are ways to help them feel better.