Why Do Dogs Sleep with Their Tongue Out? Exploring the Science

If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably witnessed your furry friend taking a nap with their tongue hanging out and wondered why this happens. While dogs pant and stick their tongues out to help them cool down and maintain their body temperature (since they can’t sweat like humans), when they fall into a deep sleep, their muscles relax and their tongue may stick out even though they’re not panting.

While it may be funny to see a dog sleeping with their tongue out, this physical reaction actually has a fascinating scientific explanation that we’ll delve into here. By examining a number of studies in animal physiology, behavior, and evolutionary biology, we’ll learn more about where this behavior comes from and why it happens. This will help you better understand the reason behind this behavior and give you a more in-depth look at your best friend’s inner life.

Breed Differences: Dogs More Likely to Sleep With Their Tongues Out

There are certain dog breeds that are more likely to sleep with their tongues out, and this is largely due to genetics that affect the dog's facial structure and jaw shape. Brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and French bulldogs have shorter snouts and flatter faces, which means their tongues are longer in relation to the size of their mouths. This makes it more likely that their tongues will stick out when they're sleeping, according to the American Kennel Club.

In addition, as dogs get older, their facial muscles can start to lose their tone, which can lead to sleeping with the tongue out, even in breeds that aren't typically known for this behavior. Older dogs can experience a loss of muscle tone and even tooth loss, which can make it easier for the tongue to fall out during deep sleep. The normal aging process can also mean that this funny sleeping position becomes more pronounced as the dog gets older.

Some breeds, like Boxers and Shih Tzus, have a genetic predisposition to larger tongues or jaw shapes that don't allow the tongue to fit inside the mouth. In these cases, the tongue can stick out even when the dog is awake and active. While this is often harmless, if the dog's tongue sticks out all the time, it can be a sign of underlying health issues that need to be addressed by a vet. That said, for many dogs, sleeping with their tongue out is just a funny and harmless quirk that's related to the unique physical characteristics of their breed.

Medical Issues: When Sleeping with the Tongue Out Is a Concern

Although sleeping with the tongue out is usually nothing to worry about, it can sometimes be a sign of an underlying medical issue. PawSafe notes that respiratory problems, dental issues, and neurological disorders can all cause dogs to sleep with their mouths open. If you notice symptoms like snoring, gasping, or difficulty breathing while your dog is asleep, it could be a sign of sleep apnea or another type of breathing issue.

The WagWalking guide on Hanging Tongue Syndrome also points out that facial trauma, dental problems, and neurological disorders can cause a dog's tongue to hang out while they're sleeping. In addition to the tongue hanging out, look for other symptoms like bad breath, tongue swelling, or tongue cracking, and contact a vet if the issue continues or if your dog seems to be in pain. Getting medical help early on can help you address any medical issues that may be causing the problem before they get worse.

How to Help Your Dog Sleep Better: Tips and Things to Know

If your dog sleeps with their tongue out, make sure they have easy access to water to prevent dehydration. CozzzTogether notes that the tongue can dry out if it's left out for too long, so it's important to make sure your dog stays hydrated.

Raising the dog's head or using a special type of bed can also help improve breathing and airflow while the dog sleeps. This is suggested by the WagWalking article, which says that this can be especially helpful for dogs with breathing problems like sleep apnea. Making sure your dog has a cool, well-ventilated place to sleep can also help keep their body temperature down and prevent them from getting too hot.

In the winter, you may need to take extra steps to help your dog. Impersonate Me explains that you may need to cover your dog's tongue or limit the amount of time they spend outside to prevent frostbite or infection. It's important to make sure your dog is comfortable and safe if they sleep with their tongue out.

While this habit is often harmless, making sure you're meeting your dog's needs can help them sleep better and avoid any potential health problems. With a few adjustments, you can make sure your dog gets a good night's sleep, even if their tongue is hanging out.

Training Techniques: How to Stop a Dog From Sleeping With Its Tongue Out

While it may not be a concern for many pet parents, some may want to train their dogs to stop sleeping with their tongues out. The Animal Training Academy explains that positive reinforcement training can be used to train a dog to keep its mouth closed while sleeping. This includes using methods like capturing and shaping the behavior, targeting, and rewarding the dog.

That said, it's important to make sure the dog is comfortable and that there aren't any medical issues that are causing the behavior before training. The Petfinder article also notes that bite inhibition and discouraging mouthing should be done with caution, especially since some dogs are more prone to mouthing due to their breed or medical issues.

The CBT Dog Behaviour blog suggests that redirecting a puppy's mouthing behavior to a toy and teaching a "leave it" command can help manage the behavior. While some dogs may sleep with their mouths open because they're relaxed, the blog explains that pet parents should make sure that they're not showing any signs of stress and take them to the vet if they are.

By making sure that the dog is comfortable and using positive reinforcement training, pet parents can train their dogs not to sleep with their tongues out if they want to, while still making sure that their furry friend is happy and healthy.

Conclusion: Why You Should Learn to Love the Tongue

Sleeping with the tongue out is a normal and mostly harmless dog behavior that has a number of important purposes, including helping dogs cool down and get better sleep. Snoozer Pets even suggests that a dog in a state of total relaxation, like one that's napping on a supportive dog bed, is more likely to sleep with their tongue out since all muscles, including the tongue, relax during sleep.

While there are some breeds and health issues that can make dogs more likely to sleep with their tongues out, it's nothing to worry about in most cases. Furiendship points out that brachycephalic breeds are more likely to sleep with their tongues out because of their skull shape and longer tongues. However, PetHelpful says that health problems can also lead to this behavior, so pet parents should be on the lookout for other symptoms.

Learning about the reasons behind this behavior can help you better appreciate your dog. When you accept your pet's quirks and behaviors, you can learn more about their physiology and what makes them tick.