Sometimes dogs do quirky things like licking the air or chasing their tail. But sometimes they might lick or smack their lips, which might be a little confusing to their owner. This behavior is fairly common among dogs, but there can be a few reasons for it. So if you’re wondering, “Why is my dog licking and smacking their lips?” these may be a few reasons why:

1. They’re hungry.
2. They’re nauseated.
3. They feel stressed or anxious.
4. They have oral pain.
5. They don’t feel well.
6. They’re a teething puppy.
7. They want your attention.

1. They’re Hungry

If you have a dog, you probably know most dogs love food. So if you’re in the kitchen cooking something that smells delicious to your dog, they might be licking their lips in hopes that you will share.

Much like humans, dogs tend to lick their lips if they smell something delicious. This behavior might also be accompanied by drooling. Licking their lips can also be a way of controlling that drool, especially if they’re about to eat.

2. They’re Nauseated

Sometimes, lip licking or smacking might indicate that your dog isn’t feeling well. When a dog begins to feel nauseated, their saliva glands produce extra saliva, and smacking or licking their lips helps with that extra drool.

If your dog is vomiting or feeling nauseated, it may be for a variety of reasons, including:

• Parasites
• Car sickness
• An allergy, especially to a food item
• Eating toxic foods for dogs or food poisoning
• A reaction to a medication
• Infections such as parvovirus
• Gastritis or other stomach issues

3. They Feel Stressed or Anxious

Licking and smacking lips can indicate that your dog is feeling anxious or stressed. This behavior can be a way to soothe them and make them feel better. Anxiety in dogs is common, and you may see other signs such as shaking, cowering, pacing, restless behavior, and crying

4. They Have Oral Pain

When a dog is in pain, they may lick and smack their lips. This is especially common if they’re experiencing oral pain. This can be caused by a variety of reasons, including an abscess in the mouth, a broken tooth, or even gum disease.

5. They Don’t Feel Well

Much like when a dog has anxiety, licking and smacking the lips can be a way for a dog to self-soothe when they don’t feel well. There are plenty of common health problems in dogs that may cause your dog to feel unwell.

Some health problems in dogs can be more serious, like liver or kidney disease or nervous system diseases. You may notice other symptoms, such as lethargy or a lack of appetite as well. These are a few symptoms you should never ignore in your dog, so give your vet a call as soon as possible.

6. They’re a Teething Puppy

Puppy teething means your puppy is experiencing oral and gum pain. When this happens, many puppies chew or lick things to help their gums feel better. Licking and smacking their lips may also be a way for them to help manage the pain.

Many puppies start to get their temporary baby teeth at 2-4 weeks old, with all 28 coming in by about 5-6 weeks old. Puppy teething really begins when they are 12-16 weeks old, and their baby teeth start to fall out as their adult teeth come in. By the time they are 6-8 months old, they should have their full set of adult teeth!

7. They Want Your Attention

Dogs are good at social referencing and are really smart. They quickly learn that certain behaviors get them attention. Licking and smacking their lips can be one of those behaviors that they’ve learned that gets your attention. This is especially true if you’ve given your dog food or attention when they smacked or licked their lips.

If you’ve been wondering, “Why is my dog licking and smacking their lips?” these may be a few reasons why. If something doesn’t feel right with your dog, don’t hesitate to check with your veterinarian. They can give your dog an examination and determine if anything is bothering them or if they’re just hungry or looking for attention!