What Does It Mean When a Dog Smacks Its Lips? Causes, Concerns, and Solutions

Is your dog's lip smacking a cute quirk, or does it mean something more serious? While lip smacking in dogs can be a normal reaction to a taste or smell, it can also be a sign of an underlying issue like nausea, dental problems such as cavities, or even neurological problems. If you notice your dog smacking its lips, especially if it's happening frequently, it's a good idea to talk to your vet.

Below, we'll take a deep dive into this unusual behavior, discussing what causes it and when it may be a sign of a more serious issue. By looking at information from veterinary medicine, animal behaviorists, and dog owners, you'll learn how to better understand what your dog is trying to tell you when they smack their lips. This knowledge can help you make sure you're doing everything you can to keep your dog healthy and happy.

What Causes Dog Lip Smacking?

One of the most common reasons dogs smack their lips is in anticipation of food or after enjoying a tasty smell, similar to how humans may lick their lips when something smells delicious. As The Columbia Tribune explains, "Sometimes humans lick and smack their lips when they anticipate food is coming. Dogs often do the same thing."

That said, lip smacking can also be a calming behavior that dogs use to signal that they are feeling stressed or anxious. PetHelpful notes that "Lip smacking can be a 'calming signal' that dogs use when they feel uneasy or uncomfortable." It can happen when a dog is being scolded, during a thunderstorm, or when they are around other dogs that are more dominant than they are as a way to show submission.

In other cases, lip smacking can be a sign of discomfort or a medical condition. For example, it can be a sign of nausea, as dogs may smack their lips in anticipation of throwing up. It can also be a sign of mouth pain due to dental issues, an object being stuck in the mouth, or digestive problems like acid reflux.

In some instances, excessive lip smacking can be a sign of dehydration, as PetHelpful explains, "Dry mouth and dehydration can cause excessive lip licking as the dog tries to wet their gums." Conditions that affect the salivary glands and the production of saliva can also cause a dog to smack its lips frequently.

To determine why your dog is smacking its lips, it's important to look at the bigger picture and consider the context in which the behavior is happening. This will help you determine if the behavior is normal or if it could be a sign of a medical issue that needs to be addressed by a vet.

Medical Causes of Lip Smacking in Dogs

If your dog is lip smacking constantly and/or showing other symptoms, it could be a sign of an underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed by a vet. Town N Country Animal Hospital lists dental problems like gum disease, tooth decay, or oral masses as potential causes of lip smacking, all of which would need to be diagnosed by a vet during a physical exam.

Lip smacking can also be a sign of nausea, acid reflux, or other gastrointestinal issues, according to Dr. Buzby's ToeGrips for Dogs. Nausea can be caused by a variety of gastrointestinal issues, exposure to toxins, and even non-gastrointestinal issues like kidney or liver disease, and all of these issues would need to be diagnosed and treated by a vet.

In addition, PetMD explains that neurological issues, including seizures or cognitive dysfunction, can cause dogs to excessively lick their lips. It's important to get help from a professional if the behavior continues or gets worse, as getting help early on can help prevent more serious issues.

How to Deal With Lip Licking Due to Anxiety or Stress

As noted by The Spruce Pets, lip licking is often a sign of anxiety or stress in dogs and is often used as a pacifying signal. Lip licking can be brought on by certain situations, such as loud noises, being scolded, or being around more dominant dogs. Vet Help Direct also points out that lip licking can be more common in older dogs with cognitive dysfunction due to increased anxiety.

To help reduce stress-related lip licking, VCA Animal Hospitals suggests removing the stressor, providing comfort, and using positive reinforcement. This could mean giving the dog a safe, quiet place to go, rewarding the dog when they are calm, and making sure they get enough exercise to help reduce stress. If the anxiety is ongoing, it may be necessary to work with a vet or veterinary behaviorist who can help with medication or other more advanced behavior modification options.

How to Stop Lip Smacking With Training and Environmental Changes

It is important to address the root cause of lip smacking in order to stop it. Hundeo explains that lip smacking can be a sign of anxiety or discomfort, so it’s important to figure out what is causing the behavior and then work to resolve it. Positive reinforcement training can be used to redirect the behavior and help the dog learn new ways to cope. For example, using positive reinforcement to reward the dog when they are relaxed and engaged in activities that they enjoy can help reduce anxiety and lip smacking.

Environmental changes, such as reducing stress and making sure that the dog has a safe, comfortable environment, can also help. BetterPet explains that dietary changes or supplements can help if the lip smacking is due to gastrointestinal issues or dehydration. Training and environmental changes will take time and consistency to be successful.

When to Seek Veterinary Help for Lip Smacking

It's important to pay close attention to your dog's lip smacking and any other symptoms that may be present. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that lip smacking can be a sign of nausea, which can be a symptom of many different health problems. If your dog is lip smacking and also showing signs of nausea, like vomiting or a lack of energy, you should contact your vet.

According to BetterPet, if your dog's lip smacking is constant, severe, and/or prevents them from eating, drinking, or playing, it's time to see the vet. Your vet will perform a physical exam and may need to run some tests to determine the cause of the lip smacking, especially if it's due to an underlying health condition like dental disease, gastrointestinal problems, or a neurological issue.

Regular vet visits and good dental care can help ensure that any issues are caught early. PetMD also explains that it's important to make sure that you don't ignore excessive lip smacking in dogs, as it can be a sign of a number of health problems.

Conclusion: Understanding and Addressing Dog Lip Smacking

The most important things to remember about dog lip smacking are that the reasons for it can be diverse, ranging from normal to more serious issues, and that it's important to look at the behavior in context to understand why it's happening. While lip smacking may often indicate enjoyment of food or a calming response to stress, it can also signal dental problems, gastrointestinal issues, or neurological conditions that require veterinary attention.

It's also important to make sure that you're addressing the underlying cause of lip smacking, whether that's through training, making changes to your dog's environment, or seeking help from a vet. By understanding why dogs smack their lips, pet parents can make sure they're helping their dogs live their best lives. If you're ever in doubt about your dog's lip smacking, it's always best to check in with your vet.