Noticing your dog constantly licking their lips and yawning can be concerning. While both actions may seem harmless on their own, when they happen together and repeatedly, they can point to underlying health or behavioral issues that should not be ignored.
We outline the common reasons why a dog may keep licking their lips and yawning, what you can do, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Keeps Licking Lips and Yawning — Why It Happens
Dogs lick their lips and yawn for many different reasons, ranging from mild stress to medical issues. Anxiety, nausea, dental discomfort, dehydration, and even neurological or respiratory problems can trigger these behaviors. Sometimes it’s a calming mechanism during stressful situations, but if the lip licking and yawning are excessive, they may signal that your dog is in pain or unwell.
Paying attention to the frequency and context is key in understanding whether the behavior is harmless or a warning sign.
Dog Keeps Licking Lips and Yawning: Common Causes
Anxiety and Stress
One of the most common reasons dogs lick their lips and yawn excessively is stress. These are often referred to as displacement behaviors, which are subtle signs your dog is uncomfortable.
Situations such as thunderstorms, loud noises, separation from owners, or meeting unfamiliar people and pets can trigger these behaviors.
A stressed dog may also pace, whine, or have trouble relaxing. Over time, chronic anxiety can impact overall health, making it important to identify and address the triggers.
Read more: Dog Excessively Licking Lips at Night (What it could mean)
Nausea or Digestive Upset
Dogs often lick their lips when they feel nauseous, and yawning can sometimes accompany this discomfort. Excessive swallowing, drooling, or restlessness may occur at the same time.
Causes of nausea include dietary changes, eating spoiled food, gastrointestinal disease, or acid reflux. If your dog is licking lips and yawning after meals or during the night, digestive issues may be at play.
Persistent nausea should always be taken seriously since it can be linked to underlying health problems.
Dental Pain or Oral Issues
Pain in the mouth can lead to repeated lip licking and yawning. Dogs with dental disease may find it difficult to rest comfortably and may exhibit these signs to relieve discomfort.
Look for additional indicators such as foul breath, bleeding gums, drooling, or reluctance to eat.
Dental disease is one of the most common but overlooked health problems in dogs, and without treatment, it can lead to severe pain and infection.
Dehydration or Dry Mouth
A dehydrated dog may lick their lips frequently in an attempt to keep their mouth moist. Yawning may occur at the same time, especially if your dog is uncomfortable.
Dehydration can result from heat, insufficient water intake, or underlying illnesses such as kidney problems.
Signs include sticky gums, lethargy, and sunken eyes. This is a serious condition that requires immediate attention, particularly if your dog refuses to drink or continues showing symptoms.
Pain or Discomfort Elsewhere in the Body
Lip licking and yawning can also be signs of general pain or discomfort. Dogs experiencing joint pain, abdominal discomfort, or internal illness may use these behaviors as a coping mechanism.
In these cases, you may also notice restlessness, reluctance to move, or whining. Because pain is often subtle in dogs, recognizing these behavioral cues can help owners intervene sooner.
Neurological Conditions
Though less common, neurological problems can sometimes cause repetitive behaviors like constant lip licking and yawning. Seizure disorders or other brain-related conditions may present this way.
Accompanying signs could include tremors, circling, loss of balance, or sudden behavioral changes. Neurological causes are more serious and should be evaluated promptly by a veterinarian.
What to Do If Your Dog Keeps Licking Its Lips and Yawning
Start by observing when and how often the behavior occurs. If it only happens occasionally during stressful events, it may simply be a coping mechanism.
Offering reassurance, a calm environment, and a consistent routine can help reduce anxiety-related behaviors.
Ensure your dog has access to fresh, clean water throughout the day to rule out dehydration.
If your dog eats too quickly or shows signs of reflux, feeding smaller, more frequent meals earlier in the evening can reduce nighttime discomfort.
For dogs with suspected dental issues, regular at-home dental care like brushing and dental chews can help, but a professional cleaning may be necessary.
Never ignore signs of oral pain, as dental disease rarely resolves without veterinary intervention.
If stress is the main trigger, consider creating a safe space for your dog, using calming aids such as pheromone diffusers, or consulting a trainer or behaviorist. Managing anxiety can greatly improve your dog’s comfort and quality of life.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
You should contact your veterinarian if your dog is licking lips and yawning excessively every day, especially if it’s accompanied by drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. These could indicate gastrointestinal illness that requires medical treatment.
If your dog shows signs of dental disease, such as foul breath, swollen gums, or difficulty chewing, a veterinary exam is essential. Oral health problems can cause significant pain and lead to systemic infection.
Any signs of neurological involvement, like disorientation, unsteady movement, or sudden collapse, require urgent veterinary evaluation. These symptoms are not normal and can point to serious conditions.
Finally, if the behaviors interfere with your dog’s ability to rest, eat, or function normally, a check-up can provide answers and peace of mind.
Read more: Dog licking lips excessively (What it really means)
Key Takeaway
When a dog keeps licking lips and yawning, it can be a window into both emotional and physical health.
While mild cases may stem from anxiety or temporary discomfort, persistent or worsening behaviors could signal nausea, dehydration, dental disease, or even neurological problems.
By observing patterns, supporting hydration and oral health, and creating a calm environment, you can often ease these behaviors.
But if the signs persist, worsen, or appear alongside other concerning symptoms, consulting your veterinarian is the best way to ensure your dog stays comfortable and healthy.