Dog Licking Lips

adorable dog licking lips white background stock photo image pedigree licking

Dog lip-licking is a common behavior, but understanding why your furry friend is doing it requires a little detective work. It isn’t always about anticipating a tasty treat. While anticipation or enjoyment of food is certainly a possibility, excessive or unusual lip-licking can also be a sign of stress, anxiety, a medical issue, or even communication with you or other dogs.

The Delicious Possibility: Food Anticipation and Enjoyment

One of the simplest explanations is that your dog is thinking about food. Maybe you’re preparing a meal, or perhaps they just finished eating and are savoring the lingering flavors. A quick lick or two in these situations is usually nothing to worry about. They might also be trying to clean up a little food residue around their mouth.

Stress and Anxiety: Calming Signals

Lip-licking is frequently a “calming signal” used by dogs to diffuse a stressful situation. This is part of their communication toolkit. When a dog feels uncomfortable, threatened, or anxious, they might lick their lips to signal to other dogs (or humans) that they are not a threat and are trying to avoid conflict. The lip-licking serves as a way to say, “I’m no danger,” in dog language.

Consider the context. Is your dog lip-licking while being approached by a larger dog? During a vet visit? When a stranger is petting them? These situations can trigger anxiety and lead to lip-licking. Other signs of stress to watch for include yawning, whale eye (showing the whites of their eyes), panting when they are not hot, a tucked tail, and flattened ears.

Medical Causes: When to Seek Veterinary Advice

If the lip-licking is persistent, excessive, and doesn’t seem related to food or obvious stress, a medical issue could be the culprit. Potential medical causes include:

Nausea: Just like humans, dogs often salivate more when feeling nauseous, leading to frequent lip-licking.
Dental problems: A painful tooth, gum disease, or a foreign object stuck in the mouth can cause discomfort and excessive lip-licking.
Dry mouth: Certain medications or underlying health conditions can lead to dry mouth, which might prompt a dog to lick their lips frequently.
Oral lesions or ulcers: Sores in the mouth can be painful and cause excessive salivation and lip-licking.
Gastrointestinal issues: Acid reflux or other digestive problems can cause discomfort and lead to lip-licking.

If you suspect a medical issue, consult your veterinarian. They can perform a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

Communication: Talking to You (and Other Dogs)

Sometimes, lip-licking is simply a way for your dog to get your attention. They may have learned that this behavior elicits a response from you, such as a treat, a pat on the head, or even just a concerned look. Similarly, they might use it as a submissive signal toward other dogs, even in non-stressful contexts.

Observe and Analyze

The key to understanding your dog’s lip-licking behavior is careful observation. Pay attention to the context in which it occurs, look for other accompanying body language cues, and consider whether there have been any recent changes in your dog’s environment or routine. By understanding the underlying cause, you can better address your dog’s needs, whether it’s providing reassurance, seeking veterinary care, or simply acknowledging their subtle communication.