Dogs are among the most amazing pets you can have. When treated with love, they can reciprocate it for you. Dogs are the least troublemakers, as they do not cause unnecessary havoc. They will be your best friend if treated with the utmost love and through the best training. Since they are happy creatures, you can tell when they are sick due to behavior changes.

Here Are Ten Reasons Why Your Dog Keeps Licking His Lips

1. Pain

Dogs have different personalities, and how they react to pain differs. You may ask, Do dogs lick their lips when in pain? Yes, they do. 

Some dogs become vocal, while others lick their lips constantly. Pain in the dog could be in any part of the body.

It would be best to take your dog to a vet for a checkup. During a physical examination, a dog may lick their lips when the veterinarian touches the place that hurts.

2. Anxiety

Dogs are sensitive to emotions, and anxiety can cause them to lick their lips. When your dog is fearful or worried, they may lick their lips even more.

If your dog licks his lips when he sees you, you should check how you talk to them. Maybe you have been so harsh by yelling and scolding them for some mistakes.

Whenever you see your dog lick their lips, yet they are not sick, pat, hug, or kiss them to assure them of your love and support.

3. Nausea

Do dogs lick their lips when nauseous? Yes. Nausea in dogs is quite uncomfortable, and it causes drooling. As a result, your dog will keep licking their lips and swallowing. 

As a dog owner, you may ask why my dog keeps licking his lips and swallowing at night. Now you know that your dog must be having issues with nausea.

Some causes of nausea in a dog include eating grass, eating their food very fast, and also serious issues such as being sick due to a virus or parasites in their bodies.

4. Oral distress

Lip-licking in a dog could result from a problem with their teeth or something stuck in their mouth. Oral problems could include tooth decay or periodontal diseases.

In other cases, your dog may have something stuck in their mouth, like a stick or a piece of bone embedded between their teeth. 

As a dog owner, it is best to have your dog go for checkups orally to ensure that you can keep track of their dental health. Also, ensure to clean your dog’s teeth often.

5. Your Dog Has a Seizure

Licking lips can be a sign of your dog having a focal seizure. Dogs lick their lips before a seizure happens. A seizure is also characterized by your dog catching imaginary flies in the air.

The seizure in your dog could indicate that your dog is suffering from epilepsy. It would thus be wise to pay more attention if you identify more lip licking in your dog.

6. Dehydration

Your dog may be licking their lips as a sign of dehydration. Dehydration is one of the common reasons why dogs lick their lips continuously. 

Your dog could be licking their lips at night even more due to a lack of water around to drink. In other instances, your dog could be suffering from a vital disease such as kidney or liver problems.

Why is my dog licking their lips and being lethargic? This is a common question for dog owners who have dogs who have dehydration and are most probably suffering from kidney and liver disease.

7. Your Dog Is Bloated

Your dog could be licking their lips due to problems with their tummy. Stomach bloating causes discomfort thus making them to lick their lips.

You may be wondering, Do dog lick their lips when they have stomach upset? Yes. Dogs lick their lips when their stomach hurts. It is very common, as it may be the only way to calm themselves.

A bloated stomach could cause the death of a dog. If you notice that your dog has suddenly started licking their lips, check whether their stomach is bigger than usual and take it to a vet to get fast relief.

8. Your Dog Has Swallowed a Fox Tail

Fox tails are small grass seeds that dogs easily swallow. They can travel through a dog’s nose, into the lungs, and even stick between the ears.

A dog that has swallowed a foxtail is often very uncomfortable, which could result in licking their lips to cope with the discomfort. Your dog can also lick walls, the floor, or people.

You should see a vet to help remove the foxtail. Giving your dog bread could help push it down to the stomach if it is stuck in the throat.

9. Cognitive Dysfunction in Your Dog

An old dog licking lips constantly could be among other symptoms of your dog suffering from cognitive dysfunction and dog dementia.

Older dogs with deteriorating brain functioning could experience moments of anxiety and lack of confidence. As a result, your dog will lick their lips constantly. 

Confusion could also lead to older dogs licking their lips. As they lose their memory from house training, this confusion will make them lick their lips more.

Since most older dogs feel lost and disoriented, it is best for a dog owner to help them by reassuring them of your love and support for them.

10. Your Dog Has Eaten Something Rotten

Why is my dog licking their lips and trying to throw up? Your dog might have eaten something foreign and is trying to get it out of its system.

When your dog is throwing up, they may have had food that does not sit well with their digestive system. As a result, your dog will throw up.

It would be best if you were on the lookout for diarrhea and a loss of appetite. Make sure to see a vet in case your dog has had food poisoning to help them recover before there is much damage.

Should I be worried if my dog keeps licking his lips? This is one of the most common questions asked by dog owners around the world. The truth is, yes, you should be worried if your dog licks their lips more often than before. 

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