Why Do Dogs Lick The Air? - PetMD

Why Do Dogs Lick the Air?

With so many distinct reasons for why your dog might be licking the air, the list of possible treatments is varied. Working with your veterinarian to find the root cause of your dog’s air-licking will help you decide how to best treat the problem, if treatment is even necessary.

Here’s a list of possible reasons your dog licks the air.

Amplifying Their Sense of Smell

Your dog has a sense of smell that is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than yours, in part because their noses contain 125-250 million olfactory receptors while human noses only have 5-6 million.

This increased sense of smell is thanks to a special organ called the vomeronasal organ (or Jacobson’s organ). This organ is located inside a dog’s nasal cavity, opening into the roof of the mouth behind their front teeth.

When dogs curl up their top lip and flare their nostrils, they are opening up their vomeronasal organ to get an even better smell of their surroundings. Dogs can further increase the scent being delivered to this sensitive organ by licking the air, directing even more smell-carrying molecules to the brain.

Stress or Anxiety

In the dog world, when a more dominant or aggressive dog approaches, there are a number of behaviors that indicate submission or appeasement. Licking is one of those behaviors.

If you notice your dog licking at the air when you speak sternly or stare at them, they are letting you know they understand that you are in charge. If your pup regularly licks the air as you approach, avoid eye contact and speak in a quiet, high-pitched voice. This may decrease their anxiety enough to stop the licking.

Depending on the cause of stress or anxiety, increased activity and some anti-anxiety supplements or medications might be appropriate.

Dental Disease and Painful Teeth

A loose or painful tooth can change the pattern of your dog’s bite and may cause them to appear to lick at the air when they’re trying to move that tooth or dull the pain. Ask your vet about your dog’s dental health at every annual visit. 

Dogs need dental care just like people, including professional cleanings. If your dog has halitosis (bad breath), excessive drooling, or trouble picking up food, or they lick their lips/teeth/air excessively, make an appointment for a thorough oral exam by your veterinarian.

Foreign Object in the Mouth

Just like you might work a popcorn kernel out from between your teeth with your tongue, dogs may appear to be licking at the air when they have a chunk of food stuck in their teeth or to the roof of their mouth. It may require sedation to remove the object before the licking will resolve.

If your dog is chewing on a stick or bone and suddenly licks at the air, check for chunks of debris that could be stuck between their teeth on the roof of their mouth. Don’t let your dog chew on items that can crack or splinter, as they can cause injuries in their mouths as well as dangerous gastrointestinal issues that may require surgery.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues

Your dog might be licking the air to grapple with nausea, which can be a symptom of an underlying medical concern. If nausea or GI issues are the root of your pup’s licking problem, a change of diet or medications specific to your dog’s needs may be the solution.

If your dog’s air-licking comes with vomiting, diarrhea, or a decreased appetite, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. A chronic upset stomach could be caused by something as simple as a food sensitivity, but it could also be a symptom of pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or other GI disorders.

Skin Issues

Dogs with itchy skin or external parasites, like fleas, will usually lick, bite, or scratch at their skin to relieve the itch. However, if a dog has been scolded for licking, or they can’t quite reach the itchy spot due to obesity and/or arthritis, they may lick at the air in an attempt to mentally scratch that itch.

Skin issues, such as itchiness, that cause a dog to lick can often be treated with flea prevention products, a food allergy diet trial, or the addition of omega fatty acids to your dog’s diet.

If your dog’s air-licking goes along with generally itchy skin, consult with your veterinarian about parasite control, as well as other potential options to decrease the itch. From feeding a sensitive skin diet to prescription anti-itch medications, your veterinarian can make recommendations based on the root cause of your dog’s itch and their medical history.

Compulsive Disorder

If your dog’s air-licking started due to anxiety, but now seems to occur more often or in new situations, it may have progressed to a compulsive behavior they are no longer able to cease on their own. Talk to your veterinarian to determine if a compulsive disorder may be to blame for your dog’s excessive licking.

Cognitive Dysfunction

An estimated 14% of dogs 8 years and older (with increasing prevalence with age) are thought to be affected by canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), similar to Alzheimer's in humans. One of the many symptoms of CDS is repetitive behavior, such as licking, chewing, circling, etc. Talk to your vet about other symptoms if you think your dog might be suffering from CDS.