If you’ve noticed your canine companion frequently licking their lips, you might be wondering, “Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Her Lips?” Is it simply a quirky habit, or could it be a sign of an underlying issue? Just like us, dogs lick their lips for a variety of reasons, some perfectly normal and others that might warrant a closer look.
As an integrative veterinarian dedicated to helping pet parents like you understand your dog’s health, I, Dr. Julie Buzby, often encounter observant owners who pick up on subtle changes in their dogs’ behavior. Noticing these nuances, like persistent lip licking, is incredibly helpful in catching potential problems early.
Take Mary, for instance, a client who brought her 8-year-old Golden Retriever, Montana, to my clinic. “My dog keeps licking his lips, drooling, and swallowing,” she explained, “Is this normal behavior?” I commended Mary for her astute observation. Indeed, frequent lip licking in dogs can stem from various causes, ranging from the mundane to the medically significant.
To help you decipher your dog’s lip-licking behavior, let’s explore the spectrum of reasons, starting with the everyday and progressing to those that might indicate a need for veterinary attention.
When is Lip Licking in Dogs Considered Normal?
Just as humans instinctively lick their lips to moisten them or savor a tasty treat, dogs also engage in normal lip-licking behavior. Occasional lip licking is a natural canine action, and you likely do it yourself throughout the day without conscious thought. Common, normal reasons for a dog to lick their lips include:
- Hunger: Anticipation of food can trigger lip licking as their salivary glands prepare for a meal.
- Appetizing Smells: The aroma of food, whether yours or theirs, can stimulate lip licking in anticipation of a tasty bite.
- Excitement: During moments of joy or anticipation, such as when you’re about to play or offer a treat, your dog might lick their lips as part of their excited response.
Recognizing When Lip Licking Isn’t Normal
While occasional lip licking is perfectly normal, persistent or excessive lip licking, especially when accompanied by other signs, can indicate an underlying issue. These accompanying symptoms can be subtle or more pronounced and may include:
- Difficulty Chewing: Hesitation or struggling to chew food, potentially dropping pieces.
- Excessive Drooling: Drooling more than usual, which can be a sign of nausea or oral discomfort.
- Decreased Appetite or Thirst: Eating or drinking less, which could indicate illness or oral pain.
- Pawing at the Mouth: Rubbing or pawing at their face or mouth area, suggesting discomfort.
- Sensitivity Around the Head or Mouth: Flinching, whimpering, or shying away when you touch their head or mouth.
- Abnormal Gulping or Swallowing: Exaggerated or frequent swallowing motions.
- Gagging, Retching, or Vomiting: Signs of nausea or gastrointestinal upset.
- Panting, Pacing, Whining, or Increased Stress: General signs of discomfort, anxiety, or pain.
If you observe excessive lip licking alongside any of these symptoms, it’s wise to consider that there might be an underlying medical or behavioral cause. Let’s delve into the top 10 abnormal reasons that could explain why your dog keeps licking their lips.
10 Abnormal Reasons Why Your Dog Keeps Licking Their Lips
When excessive lip licking is accompanied by other concerning signs, it’s crucial to explore potential underlying medical or behavioral issues. Here are 10 common conditions that could be the culprit:
#1: Dental Disease
One of the most prevalent reasons for persistent lip licking in dogs is oral discomfort stemming from dental disease.
Unfortunately, unlike humans, dogs don’t have the luxury of daily teeth brushing and flossing. This can lead to a rapid buildup of plaque and tartar on their teeth, ultimately resulting in periodontal disease, a common form of dental disease in dogs. When dental disease is the cause of lip licking, you might also notice other telltale signs such as:
- Bad Breath (Halitosis): An unpleasant odor emanating from your dog’s mouth.
- Excessive Drooling: Increased saliva production due to oral irritation.
- Dropping Food or Wincing While Eating: Signs of pain or discomfort when chewing.
- Reluctance to Eat: Loss of appetite due to oral pain.
- Rubbing or Pawing at the Face: Attempting to relieve oral discomfort.
- Tooth Loss: Loose or missing teeth as a result of advanced dental disease.
- Excessive Sneezing: Dental disease can sometimes affect the nasal passages.
- Swelling Under the Eye: A potential sign of a tooth root abscess.
If you observe these symptoms, take a close look at your dog’s gums and teeth. Gently examine inside their mouth (if your dog is comfortable with this). You might be able to spot:
- Broken or Missing Teeth
- Red, Swollen, or Bleeding Gums: Inflamed and irritated gums.
- Plaque and Tartar: Yellow, brown, or black buildup on the teeth.
- Foreign Object: Though less common with dental disease itself, rule out a visible object stuck in the teeth (see #2 below).
Safety First: Always approach examining your dog with caution. Pay attention to their body language. Signs of discomfort, such as cowering, lip lifting, showing whites of eyes, or growling, indicate they are not comfortable and you should not proceed. In such cases, it’s best to leave the examination to your veterinarian.
When to See Your Veterinarian
Regardless of whether you can examine your dog’s mouth at home, veterinary consultation is recommended if you suspect dental disease or notice any of the associated symptoms. Dental disease can be a source of significant pain for dogs, and professional veterinary intervention is often necessary.
Your veterinarian can perform a comprehensive dental examination under general anesthesia. This allows for a thorough assessment, teeth cleaning, and potential tooth extractions if necessary. Addressing dental disease is crucial not only for pain relief but also for preventing systemic health issues. Untreated dental disease can increase the risk of heart, liver, lung, and kidney disease in dogs. Prompt veterinary care is essential for your dog’s oral and overall well-being.
#2: Foreign Object Lodged in the Mouth
What if you’ve diligently maintained your dog’s dental hygiene, and their teeth appear pearly white, yet the lip licking persists? In such cases, consider the possibility of a foreign object lodged in their mouth.
Take a closer look for potential culprits like a stick, foxtail, grass awn, or any other foreign material stuck between their teeth or gums. Dogs with foreign objects in their mouths can exhibit symptoms mirroring those of dental disease, including excessive lip licking, drooling, pain, head shaking, and bad breath.
Even if your initial examination doesn’t reveal anything obvious, if your dog is showing signs of oral discomfort, a veterinary visit is advisable. Foreign objects can sometimes lodge deep within the mouth or far back in the throat, making them difficult to spot in an awake dog.
Your veterinarian might recommend a sedated oral examination to thoroughly investigate for any hidden foreign objects or injuries. Sedation allows for a complete and stress-free examination. If a foreign object is found, the veterinarian can typically remove it while your dog is sedated, providing immediate relief upon waking.
#3: Nausea
Beyond oral pain from dental issues or foreign objects, lip licking and excessive drooling can also be indicators of nausea in dogs.
Just as humans experience a dry or sticky mouth sensation when nauseous, dogs can experience a similar feeling. This sensation can trigger increased drooling, which in turn leads to more frequent lip licking, swallowing, and gulping. A nauseous dog might also start eating grass in an attempt to soothe their stomach.
Nausea and abdominal discomfort in dogs can arise from a variety of causes, ranging from digestive issues to systemic illnesses.
Gastrointestinal Tract Issues
Let’s first consider problems within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract itself. One of the most common reasons for nausea in dogs is dietary indiscretion – eating something they shouldn’t have. In addition to lip licking and nausea, you might observe symptoms like burping, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea.
For mild cases of nausea, a temporary bland diet and probiotics or fiber supplements might suffice to settle their stomach. However, if your dog has ingested rich, fatty foods, they could develop pancreatitis, a serious condition. Pancreatitis can rapidly escalate from lip licking to severe vomiting and abdominal pain, requiring prompt veterinary attention.
Similarly, like Montana, the Golden Retriever from our opening story, dogs can swallow foreign objects that become lodged in their digestive tract. Montana had a bone fragment stuck in his esophagus, which thankfully was removed endoscopically. In other cases, surgery might be necessary to remove foreign bodies from the stomach or intestines.
Furthermore, acid reflux in dogs can also trigger burping, lip licking, and general GI discomfort. If you suspect acid reflux, consult your veterinarian. They can assess your dog and determine if antacids like omeprazole could be beneficial.
Non-Gastrointestinal Problems
Nausea can also be a symptom of systemic conditions like kidney failure or liver disease in dogs. If you’re concerned about your dog’s overall well-being, a veterinary examination and diagnostic tests (bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasound) are crucial to identify the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis and intervention often lead to better outcomes for your dog.
Toxin Ingestion
Certain toxins can induce lip licking, trembling, shaking, drooling, and vomiting in dogs. If you observe these or other concerning symptoms and suspect toxin exposure, immediately contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and seek emergency veterinary care. Ingestion of substances like xylitol or chocolate can be life-threatening, and time is of the essence in such situations.
#4: Bloat and GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus)
If your dog exhibits nausea-related symptoms and is attempting to vomit but unable to bring anything up, bloat or GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus) could be the underlying emergency.
Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach distends with air. GDV, a more severe form, involves the bloated stomach twisting upon itself (volvulus). GDV is more common in large, deep-chested breeds and dogs that eat rapidly.
Bloat and GDV are acute, rapidly progressing conditions. While excessive lip licking can be an early indicator, other critical symptoms to watch for include:
- Pacing and Restlessness
- Enlarged, Distended Abdomen (Pot-Bellied Appearance)
- Discomfort When Lying Down
- Excessive Panting
- Drooling
- Whining, Whimpering, Hunched Posture, or other Signs of Pain
- Gagging and Dry Heaving
The last symptom – gagging and dry heaving – is a classic hallmark of bloat, along with a visibly bloated abdomen. If you suspect bloat or GDV based on these symptoms, immediate veterinary attention is paramount. GDV is a life-threatening emergency requiring rapid and aggressive treatment. Prognosis is directly linked to how quickly treatment is initiated. If you have a dog at risk for GDV, discuss preventative measures like gastropexy with your veterinarian.
#5: Seizures
Shifting focus, seizures are another potential cause of lip licking that may necessitate emergency veterinary care. Dog seizures, like those in humans, can manifest in various ways, and not all involve dramatic convulsions.
The three main types of seizures in dogs are:
- Psychomotor Seizures: Characterized by staring into space or a dazed appearance, often without significant physical movements.
- Focal or Partial Seizures: Resulting from localized abnormal brain activity, leading to symptoms like limb twitching, facial spasms, lip licking, lip smacking, or chewing motions.
- Grand Mal or Generalized Seizures: Severe seizures affecting multiple brain areas, causing loss of consciousness and violent limb movements (the classic image of a seizure).
Especially with less typical seizure types, differentiating them from other conditions can be challenging. Seizures can be mistaken for heart problems (syncope), vestibular disease, stroke, or head tremors.
Therefore, if you suspect your dog has experienced a seizure, veterinary evaluation is crucial, particularly if it’s a first-time occurrence. Your veterinarian can perform a thorough examination, including neurological assessment, blood work, X-rays, and advanced imaging, to diagnose seizures and rule out other potential causes.
#6: Allergies
A more common, though generally less emergent, cause of excessive lip licking (and licking in general) is allergies. Along with dental disease, allergies are a leading reason for persistent lip licking in dogs.
Dogs with allergies to food, fleas, or environmental factors may also lick their nose, abdomen, paws, or base of the tail. You might also notice itchy paws and other allergy symptoms like:
- Red, Irritated, or Dry Skin
- Excessive Chewing or Hair Pulling: Potentially leading to hair loss, such as on the tail.
- Excessive Scratching
- Head Shaking
- Skin Warm to the Touch
- Increased Grooming
- Hair Loss (Patchy or Generalized)
- Red, Swollen Eyes
- Pink Discoloration of Paw Fur
- Ear Infections (Otitis)
- Frequent Paw Yeast Infections or Bacterial Skin Infections (Pyoderma)
Some dogs with allergies exhibit a wide range of these symptoms, while others may present with more subtle signs, such as lip licking alone. This variability can make allergy diagnosis challenging.
Allergy Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect allergies, consulting your veterinarian is essential. They will gather a detailed history, perform a physical examination, and discuss diagnostic steps. This might include food trials to rule out food allergies, blood or skin tests to identify environmental allergens, skin or ear cytology, and cultures to detect secondary infections.
Allergy diagnosis can be a process of elimination and trial and error. However, the good news is that effective allergy management strategies, including medications, specialized diets, and topical treatments, can provide significant relief for allergic dogs. Finding the right combination can dramatically improve your dog’s coat and overall comfort.
#7: Dehydration
Thirst and dehydration are often overlooked, yet easily addressable, causes of lip licking.
Recall the feeling of dry mouth and lips after being outdoors on a hot day. Your body signals a need for water, and instinctively, you might lick your lips to try and relieve the dryness.
Dogs experience the same sensation when dehydrated. If it’s hot, your dog has been active, and they are licking their lips and nose, simple thirst could be the answer. (However, if your dog is also collapsed, disoriented, or panting heavily, heatstroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.)
If offering water resolves the lip licking, dehydration was likely the cause. However, persistent lip licking or signs of weakness and fatigue could indicate more significant dehydration.
Recognizing Dehydration in Dogs
A quick way to assess dehydration is to check your dog’s gums. Normally, gums should be moist and bright pink. Dry or sticky gums can indicate dehydration.
Another test is the Capillary Refill Time (CRT). Press on your dog’s gums; they will blanch white. The pink color should return within two seconds. A CRT longer than two seconds suggests dehydration (or other health issues).
If you suspect dehydration, veterinary attention is recommended. Your veterinarian can assess your dog’s hydration status and administer fluids intravenously or subcutaneously if needed. They can also investigate and address any underlying cause of dehydration.
#8: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD)
Until now, we’ve primarily discussed medical causes of lip licking. However, behavioral factors can also play a role. In the case of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), a behavioral condition arises from an underlying medical issue – age-related brain changes.
CCD is akin to Alzheimer’s or dementia in humans. As dogs age, their brains can undergo cognitive decline. While common in senior dogs, CCD is not simply “normal aging.” Often, owners attribute CCD-related behaviors to “just getting old,” potentially missing treatable aspects.
Signs of CCD
A senior dog that frequently licks their lips, swallows, and yawns, particularly at night or before sleeping, might be exhibiting signs of CCD. This is more likely if other dementia symptoms are present, such as:
- Anxiety: Increased pacing, panting, restlessness, especially at night (sundowner’s syndrome).
- Decreased Social Engagement: Reduced interaction with family, decreased activity, increased sleeping.
- Disorientation: Getting stuck in corners, seeming lost indoors, forgetting food/water dish locations or exits.
- House Soiling: Accidents despite previous house training.
- Sleep-Wake Cycle Changes: Restlessness, wandering at night (sundowner’s).
If you suspect CCD, completing a canine cognitive dysfunction checklist and consulting your veterinarian is advisable. Videos of the concerning behaviors can be invaluable for diagnosis and treatment planning. Medications (like selegiline), supplements, and environmental modifications can help manage anxiety, restlessness, and other CCD-related issues.
#9: Fear and Anxiety
Beyond CCD, purely behavioral factors like fear and anxiety can also lead to lip licking. Dogs communicate extensively through body language, as they cannot verbally express their feelings.
Lip licking is often a calming signal or appeasement gesture in dogs. Behaviorists believe it indicates stress or unease in a situation, signaling “I’m not a threat.”
If your dog licks their lips frequently in new environments or when approached by strangers, it could signify discomfort. Other signs of fear, stress, or anxiety might accompany lip licking, including:
- Lowered Head or Looking Away
- Raised Hackles (Hair on Back)
- Growling
- “Whale Eye” (Showing Whites of Eyes) or Side Eye
- Trembling or Shaking
- Yawning (When Not Tired)
- Licking the Air
- Drooling
- Excessive Shedding
- Turning Away or Hiding
- Panting (When Not Hot or Thirsty)
(Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine offers excellent resources on dog communication and body language for further learning.)
Addressing Fear and Anxiety
If your dog appears fearful, prioritize removing them from the stressful situation or removing the source of their fear. Dogs rely on body language to communicate discomfort, and it’s our responsibility to listen and protect them.
Avoid punishing your dog for being scared, as this can worsen anxiety. Instead, speak calmly and reassuringly. Provide a break from the stressful situation and offer positive reinforcement for calm exploration if appropriate.
For frequent fear or anxiety, consult your veterinarian. They may recommend training techniques, resources, supplements, or medications to build confidence and reduce anxiety. Partnering with a qualified dog trainer can also be beneficial.
#10: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Another behavioral reason for lip licking is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Like humans, dogs can develop OCD, exhibiting normal behaviors in an exaggerated, repetitive, and uncontrollable manner. These behaviors can interfere with normal functioning.
OCD in dogs can manifest in various ways, including:
- Pacing
- Incessant Licking: Of lips, paws, or other body parts (potentially leading to lick granulomas).
- Tail Chasing
- Ravenous Appetite (or sometimes decreased appetite)
- Light Chasing
- Fly Snapping (Biting at the Air)
- Excessive Water Drinking (Unrelated to Medical Causes of Thirst)
- Dirt Eating (Pica)
While occasional instances of these behaviors can be normal, repeated, intense, and uncontrollable performance of these actions is not.
Diagnosing OCD
If you suspect OCD, veterinary consultation is essential. Untreated OCD behaviors can sometimes lead to self-harm. Furthermore, OCD is often rooted in underlying anxiety, which also requires attention.
Prior to your appointment, record videos of the behaviors you observe at home. Dogs may not exhibit these behaviors in the unfamiliar veterinary clinic environment. Videos provide valuable insights into the behaviors in their normal context.
Your veterinarian can use these videos, along with physical examination and diagnostic testing, to differentiate OCD from other conditions like partial seizures or medical problems that can mimic OCD. The videos also aid in developing an effective, tailored treatment plan for your dog’s specific OCD behaviors.
Lip Licking: Normal or Not?
If you’ve reviewed these 10 potential causes and none seem to fit your dog’s situation, it’s possible their lip licking is within their normal range.
However, if you have any concerns or notice a sudden increase in lip-licking frequency, consulting your veterinarian is always a wise step. This list is not exhaustive, and your “dog parent intuition” is a valuable asset.
The Importance of Knowing Your Dog’s Baseline
One of the best ways to hone your intuition is to be intimately familiar with your dog’s normal state. Regularly performing a 5-minute health scan on your dog, ideally weekly (or at least monthly), is highly recommended.
By routinely examining your dog, you’ll learn what’s normal for them and be better equipped to detect subtle changes or early signs of problems. Early detection often leads to faster diagnosis and improved outcomes.
To learn how to perform a comprehensive 5-minute health scan at home, resources like the Tip to Tail Health Scan™ Master Course can be invaluable. Empowering yourself with the knowledge to assess your dog’s health can make you an even better advocate for their well-being.
Was Lip Licking Explained?
Has this exploration of 10 potential causes shed light on why your dog keeps licking their lips? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
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