9 Real Reasons Your Dog Is Licking the Air

Dogs can be strange sometimes, and no one’s dog is an exception to the rule. You’ve probably seen dogs sniff butts and pull at pant legs, but what about licking the air? As a human, it would be super weird to do; then again, so would butt-sniffing. However, they mainly lick the air to get a better sense of a smell that caught their interest. 

While most of the time licking the air is to smell, there are several other reasons they may do it as well. If you’re ready to understand more about what licking the air means for your pup, keep reading!

1. The Flehmen Response

We all know how good of nose dogs have, but did you realize that they have a unique olfactory organ called the vomeronasal organ? The sensors of the vomeronasal organ (also known as the Jacobson organ) pick up scents, chemical cues, and pheromones. The vomeronasal organ receptors are exposed when dogs curl their top lips and open their mouths. The Flehmen response is what this conduct refers to. One way to try and get more air-dissolved particles to the receptors of this organ is to lick the air.

2. Behaviors Cause Dogs to Lick Air

Several dog behaviors signify submissiveness when a more dominant or threatening dog approaches. One of the habits is licking. Your dog will show you that they understand you are in charge if you notice them licking the air when you scold them or fix your gaze on them. 

Avoid eye contact and speak in a calm, high-pitched voice if your dog frequently licks the air when you approach. They can feel less anxious as a result and cease licking. Increasing activity and using anti-anxiety supplements or prescriptions may be acceptable, depending on the source of stress or anxiety.

Compulsive Behavior

Stress-related behaviors might progress until they take the form of abnormal conduct. Beyond what would be a typical behavioral response to an environmental event, compulsive or deviant behaviors are repeatedly repeated. There are several potential abnormal behaviors, and air licking is one of them. 

An aberrant behavior emerges when the worry or stress is not treated early. It can be challenging to remove abnormal behavior. A unique case and environment analysis from a qualified dog trainer or behaviorist is required to handle this issue successfully. The secret to treating behavioral issues is consistency.

3. Dental Issues and Your Dog Licking the Air

Air licking may indicate a loose tooth or any other tooth-related source of infection or pain. Dogs require routine cleaning, much like humans do, to prevent the buildup of bacteria and the development of tooth plaque. 

They should receive regular dental cleanings from the veterinary dentist as part of their treatment. Due to the possibility of developing a root abscess and the possibility of oral bacteria traveling to the heart, liver, or kidneys, infections in the teeth or gums are harmful. 

Other mouths or tooth infection symptoms include poor breath (halitosis), drooling, licking teeth or air, and difficulty chewing. Take your doggie to the vet for an oral examination in this situation. The veterinarian will offer treatment recommendations or refer your dog to a qualified veterinary dentist.

Mouth Injury 

Dogs may lick air to relieve pain from minor cuts, abrasions, and other minor injuries to the nose, face, or mouth. Different behaviors, such as the animal stroking its face, may be present when this happens. Visually examining the dog is crucial to pinpoint the discomfort. A trip to an animal clinic may be needed if the wound is significant or appears infected.

4. Skin Issues

Dogs with fleas or other external parasites will typically lick or scratch their skin to eliminate the itching. However, a dog may lick at the air to mentally scratch an itch if they have been reprimanded for licking or can’t quite reach the itchy region because of obesity or arthritis. 

Flea prevention items, a food allergy diet trial, or the inclusion of omega fatty acids in your dog’s diet are frequently effective treatments for skin conditions that cause a dog to lick themselves, such as itching. 

Ask your vet about parasite control and other possible solutions to lessen the itching if your dog’s air-licking is accompanied by usually itchy skin. Your veterinarian can recommend anything from feeding a special skin diet to prescription anti-itch drugs. This is based on the underlying reason for your dog’s itch and its medical history.

5. Foreign Object in the Mouth

Dogs with food stuck between their teeth or on the roof of their mouths may act like they are licking the air, much like how you use your tongue to remove a popcorn kernel from between your teeth. Before the licking stops, the object may need to be removed under anesthesia. 

Check for pieces of debris that may be lodged between your dog’s teeth or on the roof of their mouth if they suddenly lick the air while they are chewing on a stick or bone. Avoid letting your dog chew on objects that can break or splinter because doing so can lead to mouth injuries and potentially dangerous gastrointestinal problems that may require surgery.

6. Cognitive Dysfunction

Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS, is similar to Alzheimer’s in humans. It is predicted to affect 14% of canines eight years of age and older (with prevalence rising with age). Repetitive behavior, such as licking, circling, etc., is one of the many CDS symptoms. 

Canine cognitive dysfunction is a disease that causes brain cells to die as the dog gets older. One of the many signs of this brain atrophy is the potential for repetitive activities, such as air licking. Consult your veterinarian for help if your elderly dog suddenly begins repeatedly licking the air. This could indicate canine cognitive impairment.

7. Hunger or Thirst

If your dog starts licking their lips or air just before a meal it probably signals that they are just ready to eat! If you’re preparing something wonderful, like roast chicken, and the aroma fills the air, or if you’ve recently shared a sticky delicacy like peanut butter, you might also see this behavior. A dry mouth in your dog might also result in air licking. 

Therefore, if you’re at home, check your dog’s water bowl. If this licking activity occurs when you’re exercising or spending time outside with your dog, stop for a water break. They make cute dog water bottles or portable bowls to make it easier for you to give your pup water!

8. Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues

Dogs who lick the air excessively may have irritable bowel syndrome, foreign items in the stomach, pancreatitis, giardiasis, or other gastrointestinal illnesses. Other symptoms of digestive issues include vomiting, diarrhea, bloating or excessive gas production, and decreased appetite. To properly diagnose and treat gastrointestinal problems, a veterinarian must thoroughly examine. They may collect blood and fecal samples and potentially undertake diagnostic imaging tests like ultrasounds and X-rays.

9. Nausea

When they feel queasy, dogs occasionally lick the air; you can often see them doing this right before they throw up. It can just be a lousy lunch, or it might be something more complicated. Electrolyte imbalances and nausea can be caused by endocrine conditions such as adrenal gland-related illnesses, including Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome. The veterinarian will need to examine several blood samples taken before and after giving certain medications to diagnose these disorders.

Summary of 9 Real Reasons Your Dog Is Licking the Air

Here’s a recap of why your pup might be air-licking:

What to Do About Your Pup Licking the Air

If the air licking is simply a typical behavioral response to a stimulus, such as anticipating food or demonstrating submission, the activity should only be irregular and respond to the environment or social stimulus. Check the dog’s mouth to see if anything can be easily removed, such as a foreign object. 

You only have to check if the behavior has just abruptly appeared, and you observe that its frequency and length are atypical. Once the object has been removed, or the injury has healed in both situations, the behavior should end. If the injury is minor, you must frequently check it to ensure that it is not infected; if it is, you must take the dog to the vet. It would be best if you took your dog to the vet for examination in any situation other than these.

When to Worry About Your Dog Licking the Air

It’s time to visit your vet’s clinic if you observe that your dog licks the air repeatedly for extended periods. A medical or behavioral reason for this behavior may need to be addressed. Record your dog engaging in the action at home. If at all feasible, record your dog while you’re away from home to see if the repetitive licking is restricted to human company. 

Be prepared to discuss with your vet your dog’s daily activity level, mental stimulation, social interaction, and any training or strategies you have employed to halt the licking. Treatment for compulsive licking frequently involves a combination of medication, environmental modifications, reduced stress, and particular kinds of training. Likewise, if your dog licks the air while twitching their face or body or chews at it, record the activity on camera. 

Schedule a consultation with your veterinarian immediately to discuss if focal seizures could cause air-licking behavior. Your veterinarian will likely start your dog on anti-seizure medication or suggest other diagnostics, such as a referral to a veterinary neurologist if they discover that your dog is licking at the air as seizure activity.

Conclusion

You shouldn’t freak out immediately if your dog is licking the air. It can be a pretty typical dog habit. However, it is essential to visit a veterinarian to determine the cause of the issue if the air-licking tendency rises rapidly or is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in appetite. Always consider the circumstances in which you are experiencing the symptoms, just as with any pet-related issues. 

For instance, if your dog starts licking suddenly, check to see whether anything in his environment has changed. Have you just removed a sizable roast bird from the oven? Doggo is licking the air because they are envious. Have you just returned from a vehicle trip? Perhaps doggo is sick and carsick, which is why they are licking the air. However, if your best dog friend is acting abnormally, it can frequently be stressful for you. 

Are you responding excessively to a minor issue? Or are you making light of something that requires immediate attention? Remember, if you are concerned, to try recording videos of the dog licking air for future reference to the vet or behaviorist because they may not exhibit the behavior at the clinic. Refer to a dog trainer for guidance on the best methods to address this particular instance if the veterinarian rules out any serious medical problems but your dog continues to exhibit the behavior. 

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