Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Its Lips? Causes, Signs and What to Do

Why does my dog keep licking its lips? If your dog is repeatedly licking its lips, you may be wondering whether it is simply a harmless habit or a sign that something is wrong. Occasional lip licking is completely normal, particularly after eating or drinking. However, excessive lip licking in dogs can sometimes indicate nausea, dental problems, anxiety, pain, allergies or another underlying health issue.

Understanding your dog's behaviour and looking for other symptoms can help you work out why your dog keeps licking its lips and whether veterinary advice is needed.

Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Its Lips?

There are many possible reasons why a dog repeatedly licks its lips.

Some causes are minor and temporary, while others may require attention from a vet.

Your dog may be licking its lips because of:

• Hunger or the smell of food

• Something tasty left around its mouth

• Nausea or an upset stomach

• Dental or mouth problems

• Something stuck in the mouth.

• Anxiety or stress

• Pain or discomfort

• Dehydration or a dry mouth

• Allergies or irritation

• Excessive saliva

• Acid reflux

• Medication side effects

• A more serious underlying illness

The most important thing is to consider how often your dog is licking its lips and whether other changes accompany the behaviour.

Dog Licking Lips After Eating or Drinking

A simple explanation for lip licking is that your dog has just drunk or eaten something.

Dogs naturally lick their lips to clean food from around their mouths and to swallow saliva.

You may see your dog licking its lips after finishing a meal, receiving a treat or smelling something particularly appealing.

If your dog only licks its lips occasionally and otherwise appears happy, active and healthy, there is usually little cause for concern.

However, constant lip licking in dogs, particularly when it occurs away from mealtimes, deserves closer attention.

Dog Licking Lips and Nausea

One of the most common reasons for excessive lip licking in dogs is nausea.

Just like people, dogs can feel sick without actually vomiting.

Nausea can cause increased saliva production, swallowing and repeated licking of the lips.

Signs of nausea when your dog keeps licking its lips

If nausea is causing your dog's lip licking, you may also notice:

• Drooling or excessive saliva

• Repeated swallowing

• Eating grass

• Reduced appetite

• Restlessness

• Vomiting

• Gurgling or unusual stomach noises

• Licking floors or other surfaces

• Looking uncomfortable

An occasional upset stomach may settle relatively quickly.

However, if your dog continues licking its lips, refuses food, vomits repeatedly or appears unwell, contact your vet.

Dog Licking Lips Because of Dental Problems

Dental disease is another possible explanation for why your dog keeps licking its lips.

Problems affecting the teeth, gums or mouth can make swallowing uncomfortable and may cause a dog to lick its lips more frequently.

Dental problems that can cause excessive lip licking in dogs

Potential causes include:

• Tartar and plaque build-up

• Gum disease

• A broken or damaged tooth

• Mouth ulcers

• An infected tooth

• Gum inflammation

• Something trapped between the teeth

• An injury inside the mouth

You may also notice bad breath, difficulty chewing, dropping food, pawing at the mouth, increased drooling or a reluctance to eat.

If your dog suddenly starts licking its lips frequently and appears uncomfortable when eating, a veterinary dental examination is advisable.

Something Could Be Stuck in Your Dog's Mouth

Dogs explore the world with their mouths, so grass, food, sticks or another foreign object can become lodged between their teeth or elsewhere inside the mouth.

This can cause your dog to repeatedly lick its lips, swallow or paw at its face.

Check your dog's mouth carefully.

If your dog allows you to do so safely, you can gently look around the mouth for an obvious problem. Look for food, grass, swelling, bleeding or anything unusual.

Never put your fingers deep into a dog's mouth, particularly if your dog is frightened or in pain.

A painful dog may bite even if it is normally gentle.

If you suspect something is stuck or your dog is struggling to swallow, contact your vet.

Dog Licking Lips Because of Anxiety or Stress

Not every case of dog lip licking is caused by a physical health problem.

Lip licking can also be a form of canine body language.

Some dogs lick their lips when they feel nervous, uncomfortable, frightened or stressed.

You might see lip licking when your dog:

• Visits the vet

• Meets unfamiliar people

• Encounters another dog

• Hears loud noises

• Travels in the car

• Is being groomed

• Is left alone

• Experiences a change in its environment

Other signs of stress in dogs

If anxiety is causing your dog's lip licking, you may notice other stress signals, including:

• Yawning

• Panting when it is not hot

• Turning the head away

• Avoiding eye contact

• Pacing

• Trembling

• Hiding

• Whining

• Excessive barking

• Holding the ears back

• A lowered or tucked tail

If your dog repeatedly licks its lips in stressful situations, try to identify what is triggering the behaviour.

Giving your dog space, providing a safe area and using positive reinforcement can help.

If anxiety is persistent or severe, speak to your vet or a qualified canine behaviourist.

Dog Licking Lips and Acid Reflux

Acid reflux can sometimes cause excessive lip licking in dogs.

When stomach acid moves back towards the oesophagus, it can cause irritation and discomfort.

Some dogs may respond by swallowing frequently, licking their lips or appearing restless.

Other possible signs include:

• Gulping

• Repeated swallowing

• Drooling

• Reduced appetite

• Eating grass

• Restlessness at night

• Regurgitation

• Occasional vomiting

If you think your dog has acid reflux, speak to your vet rather than trying to treat the condition yourself.

Allergies Can Cause Lip Licking in Dogs

Allergies and irritation around the mouth can also result in a dog licking its lips frequently.

A dog may lick its lips if its mouth, gums or skin around the muzzle feels itchy or irritated.

Possible allergy-related signs

You may also notice:

• Itchy skin

• Redness

• Paw licking

• Ear problems

• Face rubbing

• Hair loss

• Skin irritation

• Repeated scratching

• Red or inflamed areas around the mouth

Allergies can have several causes, including environmental allergens, food ingredients and contact irritation.

Your vet can help determine the likely cause.

Dog Licking Lips and Dehydration

A dry mouth can make a dog lick its lips more frequently.

Dogs can become dehydrated after exercise, particularly in warm weather, or when they have been vomiting or suffering from diarrhoea.

Signs of dehydration in dogs

Look for other symptoms such as:

• Excessive panting

• Dry or sticky gums

• Reduced energy

• Loss of appetite

• Sunken-looking eyes

• Increased thirst

• Weakness

Make sure your dog has access to fresh drinking water.

If you are concerned that your dog is dehydrated, particularly after vomiting or diarrhoea, contact your vet promptly.

When Should I Worry About My Dog Licking Its Lips?

Occasional lip licking is generally nothing to worry about.

However, constant lip licking in dogs should not be ignored if it is unusual for your pet or appears alongside other symptoms.

Contact your vet if your dog keeps licking its lips and you notice:

• Repeated vomiting

• Severe or persistent diarrhoea

• Loss of appetite

• Difficulty eating

• Excessive drooling

• Blood around the mouth

• Bad breath

• Swelling around the face or mouth

• Difficulty swallowing

• Difficulty breathing

• Extreme tiredness

• Signs of significant pain

• A sudden change in behaviour

• Repeated pawing at the mouth

When dog lip licking could be an emergency

Seek urgent veterinary attention if your dog is having difficulty breathing or swallowing, has severe facial swelling, is repeatedly vomiting, collapses, becomes extremely weak or may have swallowed something dangerous.

Some serious conditions can initially present with seemingly minor behavioural changes, so it is better to have your dog assessed if you are worried.

How to Stop Your Dog Licking Its Lips

The most effective way to reduce excessive lip licking in dogs is to figure out what’s causing it and treat that root issue.

If your dog licks its lips after meals but is otherwise healthy, there may be nothing that needs to be treated.

If anxiety appears to be the trigger, reducing stressful situations and creating a calm, predictable environment may help.

If dental disease, nausea, allergies, pain or another medical condition is suspected, your vet should investigate the cause rather than simply trying to stop the licking.

Keep a Record of Your Dog's Lip Licking

If the behaviour is happening regularly, make a note of:

• When the lip licking occurs

• How long it lasts

• Whether it happens after meals

• What your dog has eaten

• Whether your dog is drinking normally

• Any vomiting or diarrhoea

• Changes in appetite

• Changes in behaviour

• Other symptoms you have noticed

Taking a short video of the behaviour can also be useful when speaking to your vet.

Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Its Lips at Night?

If your dog keeps licking its lips at night, it is worth paying attention to the pattern.

Night-time lip licking may be associated with nausea, reflux, dental discomfort, anxiety or another source of irritation.

Some dogs may also become more noticeable at night because the environment is quiet and there are fewer distractions.

If your dog regularly wakes up, swallows repeatedly, licks its lips or appears restless during the night, discuss the behaviour with your vet.

Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Its Lips and Swallowing?

Lip licking and repeated swallowing in dogs can sometimes indicate nausea, reflux, excessive saliva or irritation in the mouth or throat.

If your dog is repeatedly swallowing when there is no obvious reason, particularly if it is also drooling, gagging, vomiting, refusing food or appearing distressed, veterinary advice should be sought.

Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Its Lips and Yawning?

Lip licking and yawning can both be signs of stress or anxiety in dogs.

For example, your dog may lick its lips and yawn during a stressful encounter, such as a visit to the vet or meeting an unfamiliar dog.

However, these behaviours can also occur for other reasons.

Look at the overall picture rather than assuming that every instance of lip licking is anxiety-related.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Licking Its Lips

Is it normal for dogs to lick their lips?

Yes. Dogs naturally lick their lips when eating, drinking, grooming themselves or responding to food smells.

Occasional lip licking is usually normal. Frequent or sudden lip licking can indicate an underlying problem.

Why does my dog lick its lips when I stroke it?

Some dogs lick their lips when being touched because they are relaxed or communicating with you.

However, lip licking can also indicate that a dog feels uncertain or uncomfortable.

Pay attention to other body language, such as turning away, yawning, tense muscles or avoiding contact.

Why is my dog licking its lips but not eating?

A dog that is repeatedly licking its lips but refusing food may be experiencing nausea, dental pain, mouth discomfort or another health problem.

If the loss of appetite continues or your dog appears unwell, contact your vet.

Can anxiety cause a dog to lick its lips?

Yes. Lip licking can be a calming or stress-related behaviour in dogs.

If it happens mainly during stressful situations and is accompanied by other anxiety signals, stress may be contributing to the behaviour.

Should I take my dog to the vet for excessive lip licking?

If the lip licking is persistent, sudden, unusual for your dog or accompanied by other symptoms, it is sensible to speak to your vet.

A veterinary examination can help identify whether the cause is dental, digestive, behavioural or another medical issue.

Final Thoughts: Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Its Lips?

So, why does my dog keep licking its lips? 

There is no single answer.

Your dog may simply be responding to food, but repeated lip licking can also be a sign of nausea, dental disease, anxiety, allergies, reflux, mouth irritation or pain.

The key is to look at the behaviour alongside your dog's other symptoms and normal routine.

If your dog suddenly begins licking its lips excessively, continues doing so or appears uncomfortable or unwell, don't ignore the change.

Noting when the behaviour occurs and talking it over with your vet can help pinpoint the cause and ensure your dog gets the appropriate care.

Remember: lip licking is a symptom rather than a diagnosis.

Your vet is best placed to determine why your individual dog is repeatedly licking its lips.