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:

10 Reasons a Dog Might Be Licking and Smacking Their Lips

Here are a few potential reasons why a dog might be licking and smacking their lips:

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.
8. They have salivary gland issues.
9. They’re dehydrated.
10. They have something stuck in their mouth.

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.

8. They Have Salivary Gland Issues

Sometimes, if a dog has problems with their salivary glands, they might begin to lick their lips a lot or make loud smacking noises with their lips. This can also be a reason why dogs drool. There are a few conditions that can cause salivary gland issues, including:

• Sialadenosis: This is a rare disease that causes the salivary glands to enlarge. Other symptoms of this condition include lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, and snorting. You may also notice that your dog isn’t interested in usual activities or may seem depressed.
• Neoplasias: Sometimes, fast-growing tumors in the salivary glands cause lip smacking. This condition typically occurs in older dogs and can accompany symptoms such as swelling of an oral area, diarrhea and vomiting, sudden weight loss or gain, and lack of appetite.
• Mucoceles: If a dog’s glands become damaged from trauma or illness, saliva may build up under the skin. You will also notice symptoms you should never ignore in your dog, such as swelling, trouble breathing, and blood in the saliva.

9. They’re Dehydrated

Have you ever noticed that when you’re thirsty, you tend to lick your lips in an effort to moisturize your lips? This is also the case for dogs when they are dehydrated or thirsty. If they’re licking their lips repeatedly, this might be an effort to stimulate saliva to hydrate their mouth. If you think dehydration might be the cause of their lip smacking, look for other signs such as lethargy or pale gums.

10. They Have Something Stuck in Their Mouth

If there’s something in your dog’s mouth that’s irritating them, you might notice extra drooling and lip smacking. They might also try rubbing their face in an effort to try and relieve some of the irritation. If this is the case, your dog might have a piece of food or bone stuck between their teeth or somewhere else in their mouth.

What To Do If Your Dog is Licking And Smacking Their Lips

If your dog has begun to lick or smack their lips out of the blue, it’s important to assess the situation in order to determine if you need to seek treatment or modify behavior.

1. Observe and try to determine the cause.
2. Help puppies through teething.
3. Make sure your dog can access clean water.
4. Go to the vet for medical issues.
5. Help manage your dog’s stress or anxiety.

1. Observe and Try to Determine the Cause

Start by observing what’s going on around them when they start smacking their lips. For example, if you’re cooking dinner in the kitchen and your dog is sitting right beside you, licking their lips and looking pleadingly into your eyes, they’re probably just hungry! These circumstances are totally normal and are not a cause for worry.

2. Help Puppies Through Teething

If you have a puppy and they’re at the teething stage, lip smacking can be a way to eliminate pain. Making sure your puppy has some chew toys can help eliminate this discomfort. You can soak a rag or cloth in water, freeze it, and let them chew on it. Another great pain relief option is to look into dog-friendly ice cream or other frozen dog treats.

3. Make Sure Your Dog Can Access Clean Water

If you’re experiencing warm weather, make sure your dog has plenty of cool and clean water. It might be helpful to set up a feeding station, along with a few extra water bowls around your home, so your dog doesn’t have to look too far to find water. If you think they’re severely dehydrated, you should call your vet immediately in case they need further medical treatment.

4. Go To The Vet For Medical Issues

While some dogs lick and smack their lips for benign reasons, this behavior can indicate bigger issues. If you notice that your dog is licking and smacking their lips along with other symptoms, you should give your veterinarian a call and try to have them seen as soon as possible. Other signs and symptoms that indicate a bigger problem can include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pain
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Sudden behavioral changes

If you think your dog might have an object stuck in their mouth or an injury to the mouth area, you should also have your dog seen by a veterinarian. If possible, try to get a look inside your dog’s mouth. If you’re able to sweep the object out, do so carefully. However, if it’s too risky, take your dog to either your veterinarian or an emergency clinic if necessary.

5. Help Manage Your Dog’s Stress or Anxiety

If you notice lip-smacking behavior when your dog seems anxious, stressed, or scared, you may want to work on some behavior and training techniques. Make sure your dog has a safe spot where they can retreat to when they feel nervous or scared. Creating a pet nook can give your dog a sense of security and help eliminate some of those feelings.

You also need to figure out what’s causing your dog to feel anxious or scared. Some dogs get really nervous during fireworks or thunderstorms, but there are some ways to help keep your dog calm during thunderstorms, like creating a safe spot, comforting them, and more.

If you’re still having trouble helping your dog feel safe and secure, it might be time to consult with a dog trainer or your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may be able to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication to help your dog feel calm in stressful situations.

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!