Why Does My Dog Lick Their Lips? Understanding the Top 5 Reasons and How to Address Them
If you’ve ever caught your dog licking their lips excessively, you may have wondered what’s behind this behavior. While occasional lip licking is normal, frequent or prolonged licking could indicate underlying health issues that need to be addressed. As a dog owner, it's important to understand the reasons why dogs lick their lips and how you can help your pet when this behavior becomes problematic.
In this blog, we’ll explore the top 5 reasons why dogs lick their lips, including diet issues, gastrointestinal concerns like reflux and IBS, dental problems, pain, and stress. We’ll also provide advice on how to address these issues and offer solutions to help your dog feel better.
1. Dietary Issues and Food Sensitivities
One of the most common reasons dogs lick their lips is because of food-related issues. Dogs may lick their lips when they are feeling nauseous, experiencing discomfort from certain ingredients, or dealing with food sensitivities or allergies.
How Diet Affects Lip Licking:
Nausea: Dogs often lick their lips when they’re feeling nauseous. Nausea can be caused by food intolerance or allergies, which might be related to a certain protein or carbohydrate source in their diet. In some cases, food allergies or sensitivities can lead to gastrointestinal upset, which triggers lip licking.
Acid Reflux or GERD: Dogs with gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) often lick their lips as a response to the discomfort caused by stomach acids moving into the esophagus. The lip licking serves as a way for the dog to soothe the discomfort or clear their mouth of any acidic taste or sensation.
Food Intolerances or Allergies: If your dog is allergic/ intolerant to certain ingredients, they may lick their lips due to discomfort or irritation in the mouth or throat. This is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as ear infections, itching, or gastrointestinal upset like diarrhea or vomiting.
How to Address Dietary Issues:
Identify and Eliminate Triggers: Keep a food diary to track what your dog eats and any lip licking or gastrointestinal symptoms that follow. Consult a canine nutritionist to help identify potential food triggers and recommend an elimination diet or hypoallergenic food trial.
Probiotic Supplements: Probiotics can help balance the gut microbiome, improving digestion and reducing nausea-related lip licking. Look for dog-specific probiotics that contain strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Hydration: Ensure that your dog is drinking enough water, as dehydration can exacerbate digestive problems. Consider offering wet food or adding a small amount of water to dry food to encourage hydration.
2. Gastrointestinal Issues: Reflux and IBS
Gastrointestinal (GI) issues, such as acid reflux and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are other common causes of lip licking in dogs. These conditions can cause pain, discomfort, and nausea, leading your dog to lick their lips.
Reflux (GERD):
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid moves up into the esophagus. This causes a burning sensation and discomfort, leading to lip licking as your dog attempts to relieve the sensation.
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome):
IBS is a chronic condition that affects the intestines and causes symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, and discomfort. Dogs with IBS often lick their lips due to nausea or abdominal pain. This lip licking may be accompanied by other signs such as bloating, flatulence, or changes in appetite.
How to Address GI Issues:
Modify the Diet: Dogs with acid reflux or IBS benefit from a diet that is easy on their digestive system. A bland diet, such as boiled chicken and rice, can provide temporary relief, but long-term solutions should include specially formulated foods for dogs with sensitive stomachs. These diets are designed to be low-fat., moderate protein and gentle on the digestive system.
Hydrolysed Protein Diets: For dogs with food sensitivities or reflux issues, a hydrolyzed protein diet may help. These diets use proteins that are broken down into smaller particles, making them less likely to trigger an allergic reaction or gastrointestinal irritation.
Smaller, Frequent Meals: Feeding smaller, more frequent meals can help prevent acid reflux by reducing the amount of food in the stomach at one time. This approach helps keep the stomach from becoming too full, which can trigger acid reflux symptoms.
Veterinary Medication: In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend antacid medications or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce acid production and alleviate discomfort caused by reflux.
3. Dental Problems
Dental issues are another common cause of lip licking in dogs. When dogs experience dental pain from tooth decay, gum disease, or infections, they may lick their lips in an attempt to soothe the discomfort.
How Dental Problems Cause Lip Licking:
Toothache or Infection: Dogs with dental pain from a cracked tooth, abscess, or gum infection may lick their lips to try to relieve the pain. This can also be a sign that your dog is trying to avoid chewing on one side of their mouth due to discomfort.
Plaque and Tartar Buildup: Over time, plaque and tartar can build up on a dog’s teeth, leading to gum inflammation and potential infection. This discomfort can cause lip licking as a response.
Oral Ulcers or Lesions: Sometimes, oral ulcers or lesions in the mouth can cause discomfort, prompting lip licking as a way to soothe irritation.
How to Address Dental Problems:
Regular Dental Checkups: Schedule regular veterinary dental checkups to ensure that your dog’s teeth and gums are healthy. Your veterinarian will be able to identify any dental issues that may be causing lip licking and provide treatment recommendations.
Dental Diets and Chews: Specially formulated dental diets and chews can help reduce plaque buildup and promote oral health. Regular use of these products can prevent dental issues and reduce the likelihood of lip licking caused by tooth pain.
Home Oral Care: Brushing your dog’s teeth at home can help maintain good oral hygiene. Use dog-specific toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your dog’s teeth regularly.
4. Pain or Discomfort Elsewhere in the Body
Pain in other parts of the body, such as the joints, muscles, or even the abdomen, can also cause lip licking. Dogs may lick their lips as a response to generalized discomfort or pain, which could be caused by injuries, arthritis, or internal issues.
How Pain Causes Lip Licking:
Arthritis or Joint Pain: Dogs with arthritis or joint pain may lick their lips as a stress response to the discomfort in their joints. This can be particularly common in older dogs or those with conditions like hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis.
Internal Pain: Abdominal pain from conditions like pancreatitis, constipation, or kidney disease can also lead to lip licking. Dogs may try to alleviate discomfort by licking their lips as a way to self-soothe.
How to Address Pain:
Pain Management: Consult your veterinarian about appropriate pain management options for your dog. This could include pain relief medications, joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, or anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce discomfort.
Weight Management: If your dog is overweight, this can exacerbate joint pain and increase discomfort. Weight management through portion control and exercise is crucial for maintaining joint health and reducing pain.
Massage and Physical Therapy: For dogs with arthritis or muscle pain, gentle massage and physical therapy may help improve circulation and reduce discomfort.
5. Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are common causes of lip licking in dogs. Dogs may lick their lips as a calming signal when they feel anxious, fearful, or stressed.
How Stress and Anxiety Cause Lip Licking:
Separation Anxiety: Dogs with separation anxiety may lick their lips when their owners leave the house or when they are placed in unfamiliar situations. This behavior is often accompanied by other signs of anxiety, such as whining, pacing, or drooling.
Fear or Nervousness: If your dog is in a stressful or fearful situation, such as during a vet visit, a thunderstorm, or a car ride, they may lick their lips as a way to self-soothe and cope with their anxiety.
Changes in Environment or Routine: Dogs are creatures of habit, and changes in their environment or routine can cause stress. This may lead to behaviors like lip licking as they try to cope with the change.
How to Address Stress and Anxiety:
Behavioral Training: Training your dog to cope with stress through desensitization and counter-conditioning can be an effective long-term solution. If anxiety is a serious issue, consider working with a certified dog behaviorist.
Environmental Enrichment: Ensuring that your dog has plenty of physical and mental stimulation can help reduce stress. Puzzle toys, regular walks, and interactive playtime can help keep your dog entertained and less anxious.
Veterinary Advice: You may decide that you have tried everything and therefore speaking with your vet about medication options may be something worth exploring.
Conclusion:
Excessive lip licking in dogs can be a sign of underlying health issues, including gastrointestinal problems, dental discomfort, pain, or stress. By understanding the root cause of the behavior, you can take steps to address the issue and improve your dog’s quality of life. Whether it’s adjusting their diet, seeking veterinary care for dental issues, or addressing pain and anxiety, prompt attention to lip licking can help your dog feel more comfortable and at ease.
If you're unsure of the cause of your dog’s lip licking, consult with a veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Your dog’s health and comfort are worth the investment in understanding and addressing their needs.
The Canine Dietitian offers one-on-one consults and tailored nutrition plans to support dogs with lip licking behaviours. Join The Canine Code for exclusive recipes, gut health tips, and supplement guidance tailored to your dog.
If you need personalised advice regarding your dog’s diet or health, feel free to reach out to The Canine Dietitian at www.thecaninedietitian.co.uk. Or click here for a FREE diet assessment. We’re here to help ensure your dog gets the best nutrition possible!