When a dog smacks its lips, it is usually completely normal. Lip smacking occurs because the dog licks around its mouth, produces extra saliva or moves its tongue against the palate, and it typically happens around mealtimes, when the dog is relaxed, or when it has tasted something interesting. In most cases the sound is therefore harmless and a natural part of the dog's behaviour. But lip smacking can also be the dog's way of telling you that something isn't quite right - from a foreign object between the teeth to nausea or discomfort in the mouth. What matters is when the smacking happens, how often, and whether it is accompanied by other signs.
Why most dogs smack their lips completely normally
Lip smacking is closely linked to saliva production. When the dog looks forward to a meal, catches a scent or has just eaten, the amount of saliva in the mouth increases, and the dog instinctively licks around its mouth and moves its tongue. This creates the characteristic smacking sound. Many dogs also smack their lips when they relax, just before they fall asleep, or after they have chewed on a treat. Here the smacking is an expression of well-being and digestion getting underway, not a problem.
Some dogs also smack their lips when they pick up an exciting smell. A dog's sense of smell is extremely sensitive, and an interesting scent can trigger both extra saliva and a little tongue movement, where the dog almost "tastes" the air. This is often seen in male dogs that sense a female in heat, but it can occur in all dogs in situations with strong smells.
What lip smacking means in connection with meals
If your dog smacks its lips especially around feeding time, it is most often about anticipation and satisfaction. A dog that is looking forward to its meal starts producing saliva even before the bowl hits the floor, and this can cause lip smacking both before and after it has eaten. The smacking after a meal is typically the dog's way of catching the last traces of flavour and texture, and it is completely harmless.
The consistency of the meal can also play a part. A meal with a soft, moist texture such as a dog pâté settles differently in the mouth than dry kibble and can cause a little extra licking and smacking afterwards. If you want to follow your dog's appetite and well-being closely, it can be an advantage to know its normal eating pattern, so you quickly notice if the smacking suddenly changes character. ESSENTIAL FOODS composes meals with fresh ingredients and human-grade ingredients, where flavour and consistency are carefully balanced, and a good appetite with calm around the bowl is often the best sign that the meal suits the dog.
When lip smacking may be due to teeth or mouth
If the dog starts smacking its lips more than usual, and it happens independently of meals, the cause may lie in the mouth. A foreign object such as a wood splinter, a blade of grass or a piece of food stuck between the teeth makes the dog lick, smack and move its jaw to work it loose. Tartar, irritated gums or soreness in the mouth can likewise cause increased saliva production and thereby more lip smacking.
If the smacking is accompanied by bad breath, it is worth taking a closer look at oral hygiene, as odour from the mouth is often linked to deposits on the teeth. In the guide need a mint you can read more about how diet and the daily routine affect your dog's breath and oral health. If you experience persistent changes in the mouth, swellings or signs of pain, a vet is always the right place to have it assessed.
Lip smacking as a sign of nausea or discomfort in the stomach
Dogs often smack their lips just before they throw up. When nausea sets in, saliva production rises sharply, and the dog repeatedly licks around its mouth and smacks noticeably. If you see this type of smacking together with restlessness, swallowing movements or the dog eating grass, it can be a sign of an upset stomach. It usually passes on its own, but if it persists, or keeps coming back again and again, you should contact your vet.
For dogs with a sensitive digestion, a calm stomach can make a noticeable difference to everyday life. A meal that is easy to absorb and gently composed helps keep the digestion stable, and in the collection sensitive stomach you will find relevant meals designed with exactly that delicate stomach in mind. If you are in doubt about what best suits your dog's digestion, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready by phone, chat and email to help you find the right meal.
Lip smacking as a stress or calming signal
In some dogs, lip smacking is a calming signal. When a dog feels a little uncertain, pressured or overwhelmed, it may lick around its mouth and smack as a way of defusing the situation - both towards itself and towards other dogs or people. This is often seen in training situations, at the vet or in new surroundings. Here the smacking is not linked to food or stomach, but to the dog's emotional state.
If you notice that the dog smacks its lips and licks around its mouth in certain situations where it seems tense, it can be worth easing up on whatever is pressuring it and giving it some peace. The smacking typically disappears as soon as the dog relaxes again.
How to decide whether the lip smacking is something to worry about
What matters is knowing your dog's normal behaviour. If it smacks its lips as usual - around meals, when it relaxes, or after a treat - there is no cause for concern. You should, on the other hand, pay closer attention if the smacking is new, stronger than usual, persistent or accompanied by other signs such as bad breath, reduced appetite, vomiting, drooling or clear discomfort.
A bit of lip smacking at the bowl is therefore nothing more than a dog enjoying its meal. If the pattern changes markedly, however, or the smacking occurs on its own without a natural occasion, it is the dog's way of telling you that there is something worth taking a closer look at - and if in doubt about your dog's health, a vet is always the safe choice.