11 Reasons Why Dogs Lick Their Lips

Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Dogs do a lot of funny things, like tilting their heads or licking the air. But why do they sometimes lick and smack their lips?

Lip licking is when a dog licks or moves their tongue over their lips. They do it when they’re nervous, excited, feeling sick, in pain, after eating, or have something stuck in their mouths.

Here’s why dogs might lick their lips and what you can do to help them.

1. They Want to Eat

If you’re making a yummy sandwich and see your dog licking their lips, they probably want a bite! Dogs often lick their lips when they see or smell something tasty, says Dr. Joanne Fernandez-Lopez, director of veterinary affairs at ABCs Puppy Zs.

Like in the famous Pavlov’s dogs study, dogs can learn to drool when they know food is coming, like when you open the cupboard or a treat wrapper. Licking helps them deal with extra drool before they eat!

What to do: Feed your dog at regular times. If they start licking more than usual, talk to your vet to make sure nothing else, like a tummy issue, is going on.

2. They’re Nauseous

Lip licking and drooling can mean your dog feels nauseous or sick. “Your dog might start licking their lips to deal with the extra slobber that comes with feeling sick,” says pet nutritionist David D’Angelo. Dogs can feel sick and vomit for different reasons, like:

What to do: If your dog seems sick, watch them closely. Dr. Fernandez-Lopez recommends giving them bland food or waiting a bit before feeding. If they keep throwing up, take them to the vet to find out why.

3. They Have Stress or Anxiety

“Dogs can lick their lips when they’re feeling stressed, almost as if it’s their way of calming down,” D’Angelo says. Lip licking can be a way for dogs to soothe themselves. If your dog is stressed or anxious, you might also notice other signs like:

Yawning
Freezing in place
Turning their head or body away
Eyes looking soft or sad

What to do: Dr. Fernandez-Lopez says to figure out what is stressing your dog and see if you can reduce it. Additionally, D’Angelo suggests creating a calm environment and using calming products like pheromone diffusers, collars, and treats. Getting help from a behavior expert can also be useful, and positive reinforcement training is a great way to teach your dog how to handle stress better.

4. They’re in Pain

Dogs may lick their lips or drool a lot when they have mouth pain. This is often caused by things like a broken tooth, gum disease, or an infection called an abscess. Some types of dogs are more likely to have these mouth problems, including:

Flat-faced breeds: Dogs like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers have small mouths, so their teeth can be crowded. This makes it easier for food to get stuck, which can cause bacteria to grow.
Large breeds: Big dogs, like Great Danes, Boxers, and Mastiffs, can have problems with their gums growing too much. This happens when there’s too much plaque (sticky stuff) on their teeth.
Dachshunds: These dogs have long, narrow mouths that can make their gums pull away from their teeth, which can cause tooth pain and decay.

What to do: Dr. Fernandez-Lopez if your dog is licking their lips a lot, check if they’re whining or not eating. A vet can find the cause of the mouth pain, while brushing your dog’s teeth can help prevent plaque buildup.

5. They’re Sick

Dr. Fernandez-Lopez says lip smacking can mean your dog isn’t feeling well. Some health problems that might cause this include:

Kidney disease: This can make your dog feel sick and thirsty and cause sores in their mouth, leading to lip licking or smacking.
Liver disease: This can also cause nausea and dehydration, making your dog drool more or lick their lips.
Nervous system problems: If your dog has issues with their nerves or brain, it might cause strange movements like lip licking. Dogs also lick their lips to calm themselves when they’re stressed.
Seizures: Lip smacking could be a sign of a small seizure in part of your dog’s brain. Other signs include biting at the air or kicking one leg.
Joint or bone pain: Though rare, if your dog is in pain, they might smack their lips to make themselves feel better.

What to do: If your dog licks their lips and seems tired, isn’t interested in food, or shows other signs of being sick, she says to take them to the vet.

6. They’re a Teething Puppy

When puppies are teething, their gums hurt and feel sore. Because of this, Dr. Fernandez-Lopez says they often lick or chew on things to make their gums feel better. Puppies usually start teething when they are 5-6 weeks old, and by 12-16 weeks, their baby teeth begin to fall out. By eight months old, their adult teeth should be fully grown.

While licking and chewing are normal for developing puppies, they can also be at risk for illnesses like parvovirus or swallowing things they shouldn’t, both of which can cause lip licking, too. If you’re not sure, always ask your vet for advice.

What to do: “Give a teething puppy some chew toys to help alleviate the pain,” Dr. Fernandez-Lopez recommends. If you’re worried about how much your puppy is teething, talk to your vet for help.

7. They Want Attention

“Dogs often lick their lips to gain attention, especially if rewarded,” Dr. Fernandez-Lopez says. If you give your dog attention or food when they smack their lips, they’ll learn to do it more often!

What to do: Make sure you spend time with your dog, exercise them, and give them things to do. If you don’t want your dog licking their lips for attention, Dr. Fernandez-Lopez suggests ignoring them and giving them attention when they’re calm and relaxed.

Two hungry dogs licking their lips and ready to eat

iStock/fotyma

8. They Have Weird Saliva Glands

Dr. Fernandez-Lopez explains that dogs with problems in their salivary glands may lick a lot and make loud lip-smacking sounds. Some conditions that can affect the salivary glands include:

Sialadenosis. This rare disease makes the salivary glands bigger. Other signs include gulping, throwing up, snorting, feeling sad, not eating, and losing weight.
Neoplasias. These are fast-growing tumors that usually happen in older dogs. Other signs include trouble eating, bleeding from the mouth or nose, swelling, sudden weight changes, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Mucoceles. This happens when damaged salivary glands cause saliva to build up under the skin. Other signs include swelling, pain, trouble breathing, and bloody saliva.

What to do: If you think your dog has a salivary gland problem, talk to your vet for help and treatment.

9. They’re Dehydrated

“If your dog licks their lips frequently, they may be dehydrated trying to moisten their mouth,” Dr. Fernandez-Lopez explains. Dehydration can cause a dry mouth. If it’s a hot day and you think your dog isn’t drinking enough, look for other signs like pale, sticky gums and lethargy.

What to do: She says it’s most important to make sure your dog has fresh, clean water. If you’re still worried your dog is dehydrated, take them to the vet.

10. They Have Something Stuck in Their Mouth

Food, bone pieces, chew toys, or sticks can get stuck in your dog’s mouth. When this happens, your dog might drool more and lick their lips to try to get it out. You might also see them rubbing their face or acting strange.

What to do: Dr. Fernandez-Lopez suggests thoroughly examining your dog’s mouth to ensure nothing is stuck. “If you see a foreign object but are unable to remove it, or if your dog begins showing signs of distress, head immediately to the vet,” she adds.

iStock/fotokostic

iStock/Wavetop

11. They’re Being Submissive

Lip licking and licking another dog’s face are signs of a dog being submissive or trying to keep the peace. Dogs do this when they feel nervous, like when they meet a more dominant dog or new people.

What to do: Dr. Fernandez-Lopez suggests calmly noticing the behavior. If your dog licks another dog’s face, make sure they are getting along and watch their interactions.

How to Respond to Your Dog’s Lip Licking

When dogs lick, it’s often an immediate response to a situation.

Watch your dog’s behavior

If you’re worried about your dog’s lip licking, the first step is to figure out why it’s happening. “Keeping an eye on when and how often lip licking happens can clue you into what’s going on,” D’Angelo says.

For example, if your dog licks their lips when you’re making food, they’re probably hungry. If they’re a teething puppy, they might be trying to ease the pain. Watching your dog’s behavior and noticing when it happens can also help your vet understand the reason.

Visit the vet if it’s a medical issue

Some causes of lip licking can be more serious than others. D’Angelo says if your dog is licking their lips constantly or you see other signs like vomiting or changes in behavior, contact your vet.

Additionally, Dr. Fernandez-Lopez says to see the vet right away if your dog’s lip licking comes with:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Tiredness
Signs of pain
Not eating as much
Changes in behavior

Help your dog’s anxiety or stress

If your dog licks their lips because they’re anxious or stressed, D’Angelo suggests creating a cozy, safe space for them and using calming aids like pheromone diffusers or anxiety wraps.

Dr. Fernandez-Lopez also says it’s important to figure out what’s making your dog anxious, like loud noises, a new place, or being alone. “To help with anxiety, keep your pup active and mentally stimulated,” she adds.

Try positive reinforcement

If you’re at a loss, D’Angelo says positive reinforcement training is a great way to help them feel more comfortable. This training can also help if your dog is licking their lips to get attention or because they feel nervous.

If you’re not sure how to start, getting help from a certified behaviorist can be a good idea. They can give you advice that fits your dog’s specific needs.

Why Do Dogs Lick & Smack Their Lips?