Dog Won’t Stop Licking or Smacking Their Lips: 9 Reasons Why They May Do It

As a dog parent, you know our pups can develop some intriguing habits. But sometimes, they can drive us up a wall. For instance, continual licking and smacking of your dog’s lips. Read this article to discover the reasons why your dog won’t stop licking or smacking their lips.

Why Is My Dog Licking and Smacking Their Lips?

As humans, we often tend to lick and smack our lips as an excitement response over food that is coming. For instance, the next time you go to your favorite restaurant, notice how your lips and body respond when the waiter tells you that the food is on the way. What’s more, our canines do the same thing. However, constant lip licking or smacking can signal other things, such as stress.

Why Is Your My Dog Licking His Lips and Won’t Settle?

In short, the answer is anxiety. Your dog won’t stop licking or smacking their lips when there is onset anxiety. Also, your canine will display other behavioral signs, such as tearing about furniture, whimpering, and pacing, which are all indicators of anxiety.

9 Reasons Why Your Dog Won’t Stop Licking or Smacking Their Lips

1. They Just Finished a Meal or Are Preparing to Eat One

As mentioned, your pup gets as excited over good as we do. If you see your dog licking theirs before or after a meal, chances are they are salivating over the great food! Additionally, they are also working to get rid of the increased amounts of drool.

2. They May Be Feeling Nauseated

Your canine will create extra drool to cover their mouths and throat in preparation for vomiting. Therefore, they will smack their lips or lick them in an attempt to gain control over the drool. If your dog vomits, it is not always a need for concern as long as they are lethargic, seizing, or becoming disorientated. 

Vomiting may occur due to one of the following reasons.

• Allergies.
• Food poisoning.
• Illness from going on a trip.
• Worms.
• Gastroenteritis.
• Reacting to prescriptions.
• Diabetes.

If you notice any abnormal behaviors, or if your dog is lethargic for over 24 hours, you may want to consult your veterinarian immediately.

3. Something Is Irritating Their Mouth

Your dog’s drool lubricates against unwanted objects that may wind up lodged in their mouth. This is one reason why your dog may be licking or smacking their lips excessively.

Examples of foreign objects include the following.

• Materials from bitten-up toys.
• Sticks that have splintered.
• Pieces of bone that may have wound up caught in between the gums.

If you look in your dog’s throat and see that there is something stuck, or notice bleeding or swollen gums, you should get your dog veterinary care immediately. DO NOT try to remove the object yourself.

4. They Have an Underlying Health Condition

As we mentioned a few times, excessive licking can be a sign of anxiety. Anxiety may not always be induced by psychological trauma. Anxiety that pops up randomly can be a sign of a health issue.

Underlying health issues include:

• Kidney disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes.
• Seizure diseases that may not be related to epilepsy.
• Orthopedic problems.
• Anemia.

5. Your Canine’s Mouth Is Hurting Them

Humans have gels and other at-home remedies to relieve mouth pain. However, our pups are not as fortunate. So, they use their saliva to help reduce pain and discomfort. Reasons for painful mouths can include:

• Jaw cancers.
• Cavities.
• Gum disease.
• Gum injuries.
• Chipped teeth.
• Broken teeth.
• Mouth Abcesses.
• Teething.

If you notice your dog is smacking their lips, whimpering, and avoiding chewing on one side of their mouth, it may be time to consult with your vet. On the other hand, if your puppy is lip-smacking, and excessively licking, it could be a sign that their adult teeth are coming in.

6. Your Canine Is Trying to Get You to Focus on Them

Our pups adore attention, especially from their favorite people! If you have had a busy workload, a change in schedule, or a lifestyle change, chances are your pup is trying to get you to make up for that lost affection. 

If their behavior is getting worse or obsessive, you can train them to stop. One way to accomplish the said task is to reward them with positive reinforcement when they are relaxed.

7. Salivary Gland Disorders

Another reason that your dog won’t stop licking or smacking their lips is because of potential disorders of the salivary glands. Examples of salivary gland disorders include the following.

• Enlarged salivary glands can cause nausea, vomiting, and snorting. This disease is also known as Sialadenosis. Please note that this disease is a rarity.
• Tiny tumors that grow rapidly and block the nasal passages are known as “Neoplasias.”
• Mucoceles which is damaged salivary tissues.

8. Dehydration

Another reason your dog won’t stop licking or smacking its lips is dehydration. When this occurs, their mouth becomes uncomfortable, forcing them to smack their lips to manage the thickened saliva that is produced.

Additional signs that your dog may be experiencing dry mouth include the following ones.

• Panting more than usual.
• Dry eyes.
• Dry nose.
• Little to no energy or exhaustion.
• Sunken eyes.
• Reduced urination.
• Excessively trying to urinate.
• Struggling to walk.
• Skin does not appear as stretchable as usual.

If your dog is experiencing seizures, fainting, or diarrhea with the above symptoms, please get them to a veterinarian immediately.

9. Stress or Anxiety

Humans bite their thumbs, twirl their hair, or focus on items such as food or their phone to cope with anxiety. In retrospect, dogs do not have the same abilities. This is why your dog will smack or lick their lips because it releases endorphins to calm their anxiety.

Other signs that your dog has stress or anxiety include:

• Soft eyes.
• Head-turning.
• Standing still in one place and refusing to move.
• Yawning.

Luckily, there are at-home things you can try to reduce your dog’s stress or anxiety, such as CBD, aroma therapy, and playing soft music. You can also consult your veterinarian for help with reducing your anxiety.

Final Thoughts

These 9 reasons may help explain why your dog won’t stop licking or smacking their lips. Also, be sure to watch them for any adverse symptoms that need medical attention.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexander Pytskiy/iStock via Getty Images