Why Your Dog Licks Its Mouth: Important Information!
Have you ever wondered if your dog wants to tell you something when he licks his mouth ? If you see a dog licking its lips, you can assume that it is just eating or drooling. But what if there is nothing to eat? Then what does lip licking mean?
Licking the lips is a form of communication for dogs. When a dog licks its mouth , it uses its body language to let you know how it is feeling. This behavior might be due to the following situations:
He suspects that he is getting his meal
The most obvious reason your dog is licking its mouth is because of the anticipation of the food. It often happens that anticipation is also the cause of increased salivation.
He sends a signal of appeasement
According to professional trainers, a quick lick of the dog’s lips is usually a sign of appeasement. For dog trainers, the term “rest signals” refers to mouth licking and similar behaviors.
It boils down to the dog licking its mouth because it feels stressed or uncomfortable about what is going on around it. In the face of a situation that he perceives as a threat, he gives a calm signal to avoid aggression.
An example of this is when dogs are scolded for doing something. In this situation, the dog can see its owner as a threat.
Then the dog offers a calming gesture by licking its own mouth and avoiding its gaze. It is a way for the dog to say that it is not a threat to the person or animal that is behaving aggressively.
Perhaps the dog is licking its mouth out of fear
A scared dog might lick its lips. Sometimes dogs show gestures like licking their mouths and yawning when frustrated or confused. Many owners notice this during training when their dogs have difficulty understanding what they are being taught.
He is sick, has physical pain or discomfort in his mouth
Other major causes of a dog licking its mouth could be health problems such as nausea, dental disease, or pain in the mouth. If your dog is licking their lips or drooling more than usual, a visit to the veterinarian can rule out a medical cause for the excessive licking.
Look out for other symptoms of the disease and keep an eye on your dog. They may also have physical ailments or a bowel problem.
A dog that licks its mouth can suffer from anxiety
There is one study that looked at dog behavior after being separated from owners at 30 minutes, two and four hours. The researchers found that the longer the breakup lasted, the more her mouth licked and her body shook when they met her owner again.
If your dog licks his mouth when he’s at the veterinarian’s office or in any other place that makes him nervous, try to distract him in a positive way.
For example, you can ask them to do a trick and then reward them for it. Avoid comforting your dog when he is feeling uncomfortable, as this will only increase his fear or insecurity.
Dogs developed quiet signals to communicate and avoid conflict between them. It is estimated that dogs have about 30 rest signals; they use these signals when interacting with humans and other dogs.
It is important to observe when, how, and why your dog is licking its mouth as this can indicate anxiety or stress. Every dog is different, but with a little time and observation you will be able to “read” its messages clearly.
