Is Lip licking in dogs always a sign of stress? Here’s What to Expect

What Is Lip Licking in Dogs?

Lip licking is just what it sounds like: a dog licking his lips. If you notice a dog is licking his lips when theres no food involved, hes probably trying to send a message. 1:09

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Dog trainer and behaviorist Turid Rugaas coined the phrase “calming signals” to refer to lip licking and similar dog behaviors. Lip licking is also often referred to as an appeasement gesture. Dogs exhibit certain behaviors and actions when they feel stressed or uncomfortable. Its usually because there is something going on around them that they perceive as a threat. Dogs who are licking their lips are usually sending the message that they are worried.

Dogs lick their lips to appease and soothe a person or animal they see as a threat in order to ward off aggression. An example of this can be seen in dogs who are scolded when their owners return home to find the dog has had an accident in the house. A dog might not connect the scolding to relieving himself indoors. Instead, he sees his owner as a threat. The owner may be yelling and looming over him. The dog may offer an appeasement gesture by licking his lips and averting his gaze. This is the dogs way of saying that he isnt a threat to the person behaving in an aggressive manner.

Sometimes dogs exhibit appeasement gestures like lip licking and yawning when they are frustrated or confused. Many owners notice this during training sessions when their dogs are having trouble understanding what is being taught. If you notice lip licking, yawning, scratching, or ground-sniffing while training your dog, it might be time to stop the training session. A dog cannot learn new things when stressed. To end on a positive note, ask your dog to do something simple he already knows, like sit. Reward with a treat and praise, then end the session. Try playing with your dog for a little while to bond and help your dog relax.

Another important possible reason for excessive lip licking in dogs is a health-related issue. A dog might lick his lips due to nausea, dental disease, or mouth pain. Look for other signs of illness and keep a close eye on your dog. When in doubt, contact your vet.

Your Dog Is Displaying a Calming Signal

Dogs who are faced with a perceived threat may lick their lips as a sign of appeasement.

It is a pacifying behavior that dogs display when they are stressed, fearful, or anxious.

By licking their lips, they are sending the message that they would rather not confront their fear. Its helpful to look at the context.

If your dog licks his lips every time you come home, then it may be possible that you have scolded him several times in the past when you saw a puddle of pee that he left while you were away.

Your dog cannot associate your scolding with what he did hours ago, so he might be frightened of you every time you come home.

Lip licking may also become a nervous habit similar to nail-biting behavior in humans.

Calming Signals in Dogs (Yawning, Licking Lips, Shaking Off)

Our dogs have plenty of everyday quirks. Sneezing, barking at the delivery driver, napping in strange spots…the list goes on. Youre probably used to seeing your dog lick parts of their body, objects in their environment, other pets, your leg, or even the air.

Dog lip licking is a common behavior. In and of itself, it’s not a major cause for concern. As youll learn below, dogs lick their lips for many normal reasons. However, its possible for licking to occur frequently or without stopping, and excessive licking usually indicates that something is wrong.

Lets explore the reasons why your dog is licking their lips. Then, youll be able to tell whether or not this behavior is something you should be concerned about. If it is, youll want to work with your veterinarian to make sure your pet gets back to normal as soon as possible.