Picture this: you’re winding down for the evening, your furry best friend curled up beside you, and suddenly you hear that distinctive “smack, smack, smack” sound. Your dog is lying there, eyes peaceful, but their lips are making these rhythmic little sounds that make you wonder if they’re dreaming about last night’s dinner or if something’s wrong. I’ve watched countless dog parents puzzle over this behavior, tilting their heads much like their confused pups do when hearing a strange noise.
This endearing little habit is far more common than you might think, and honestly, it’s one of those delightfully mysterious dog behaviors that can mean several different things. While it might seem random or even slightly concerning at first, lip smacking during rest time is usually your dog’s way of communicating something important about how they’re feeling, both physically and emotionally. Understanding what your pup is trying to tell you through these gentle sounds can deepen your bond and help you become an even better dog parent.
The Comfort Signal: When Lip Smacking Means Pure Relaxation
The smacking is quite normal and only indicates that your dog is relaxed. Think of it like a human letting out a contented sigh before drifting off to sleep. Dogs often smack their lips when going to sleep as a way to self-soothe and relax. This behavior can be a comforting ritual for them, similar to a child sucking their thumb before bedtime. It’s actually quite sweet when you think about it this way.
Dogs can also smack their lips while they cuddle and are petted by their owner. Therefore, if you hear your dog making smacking noises in this situation, see it as a compliment, because the smacking is a sure sign that your four-legged friend feels very comfortable around you. This is your dog’s way of saying “life is good right now.” I came to associate it with him being content.
The Self-Soothing Mechanism: How Dogs Use Lip Smacking to Wind Down
At the end of a long day, many pups smack their mouths and lick their lips repeatedly as they start to get comfortable in their dog bed and fall asleep; this is their way of self-soothing. Just like we might stretch, adjust our pillow, or take a deep breath before sleep, dogs have their own settling-in rituals. Just like people might sigh or adjust their position when settling down, dogs might smack their lips when comfortable as part of their winding-down ritual. If your dog is relaxed, calm, and showing no signs of discomfort, this is likely nothing to worry about.
Some dogs may regularly lick their lips when settling down to go to sleep and are feeling comfortable; it is not unfeasible, then, that dogs may also smack their lips during other times when they are feeling cozy or tired. Watch for the context clues: soft eyes, relaxed body posture, and slow, rhythmic breathing usually accompany this peaceful type of lip smacking.
Dreaming and Sleep Behaviors: What Happens in Doggie Dreamland
A dog may smack their lips at night simply because they are dreaming. As previously mentioned, this may be because they are dreaming of eating a big steak or some other yummy meal, but it is also possible that it is just an involuntary reaction the dog is having while sleeping. In the most harmless cases your dog may simply be dreaming about food, causing them to smack their lips during sleep. Who hasn’t watched their sleeping dog’s legs twitch as they chase dream squirrels?
Sleep-related lip smacking often occurs during the REM sleep phase when dogs experience their most vivid dreams. In either of these cases, though it may be a little annoying, it isn’t anything to worry about. If your dog seems to be having pleasant dreams and wakes up refreshed and happy, those nighttime smacking sounds are just part of their normal sleep cycle.
Attention-Seeking and Learned Behaviors: When Your Dog Discovers a Winning Strategy
Lip smacking may also be an unintentionally reinforced habit tied to the owner’s reactions: If your dog regularly licks their lips at night then gets some sort of attention from you, they may associate the lip licking with getting what they want and may continue the action when they are feeling needy. “Dogs often lick their lips to gain attention, especially if rewarded,” Dr. Fernandez-Lopez says. If you give your dog attention or food when they smack their lips, they’ll learn to do it more often!
Dogs are incredibly smart when it comes to figuring out what gets them attention from their humans. Lip smacking in some dogs can actually be a way they try to get your attention. If you’ve been responding to your dog’s lip smacking with pets, treats, or even just looking at them, you might have accidentally trained them to use this behavior as a communication tool. In this scenario, it is best to try to ignore the dog and not respond to its lip smacking at all – eventually, it will stop associating that action with the desired result.
Physical Discomfort: When Lip Smacking Signals Something’s Wrong
Lip smacking in dogs often signals nausea, dental pain, or oral irritation. Observe for additional symptoms like drooling, vomiting, or pawing at the mouth. Another big culprit can be mouth discomfort. Dogs with dental disease, broken teeth, inflamed gums, or even something stuck in their teeth or the roof of their mouth may try to ease irritation by licking and smacking. Think of how you might run your tongue over a sore tooth or the inside of your cheek.
Dogs don’t have a way to tell you they have a broken tooth or sore gums. So they lip smack, drool, and paw at their mouth. If your dog is having these behaviors they may need a dental cleaning to resolve the lip smacking and drooling. When a dog feels nauseous, he may drool and smack his lips as he gulps down saliva. When dogs smack their lips in the middle of the night, it is usually most likely a sign of dehydration or nausea due to hunger.
Stress and Anxiety Signals: Reading Your Dog’s Emotional State
Dogs also lick their lips when they are stressed or uneasy. This is known as a calming signal, as it appears most often when a dog is uncomfortable and under pressure. Dogs that are anxious and stressed will often lip smack or open and close their mouths. Lip smacking is associated with an animal trying to calm themselves. Dogs may smack or lick their lips as a way to soothe anxiety. This type of behavior may also be associated with anxiety, though it is likely more of a coping mechanism than simply a sign that the dog is experiencing anxiety.
Even during rest periods, dogs can experience low-level stress from environmental factors like thunderstorms approaching, unfamiliar sounds, or changes in the household routine. Pay attention to when this behavior is happening. If you can find the trigger you can work to reduce the stress. Some dogs develop compulsive behaviors as coping mechanisms, and lip smacking can become one of these self-soothing habits.
When to Seek Veterinary Advice: Red Flags and Concerning Patterns
If you sense that your dog is excessively licking his lips due to a health-related issue, like illness, eating something inappropriate, or a trapped foreign body, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Persistent and loud smacking that occurs over several days can be a sign of health problems in the dog. If you notice that your dog isn’t smacking his lips out of boredom or because he wants attention, you need to observe the smacking more closely. If you are sure that he has nothing between his teeth, or if you notice other symptoms such as constant licking, expressions of pain, changes in behavior and changes in your dog’s appearance, you should consult a veterinarian immediately.
Lip-smacking on its own isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm, but persistent or sudden changes in behavior should always be investigated by your veterinarian. Lip smacking can be a symptom of GI issues such as reflux, but this can also be signs of a focal seizure. I highly recommend you contact your vet and make sure they are aware of these strange behavioral episodes. Trust your instincts as a dog parent. If your dog’s lip smacking seems off, trust your instincts and reach out to your vet. Some of the causes could end up being serious.
Conclusion
Understanding your dog’s lip smacking behavior while resting is like learning a new language, one that speaks to the incredible bond between you and your furry companion. Most of the time, those gentle smacking sounds are simply your dog’s way of saying “I’m comfortable, I’m safe, and life is pretty good right here with you.” It’s their version of a contented sigh or a peaceful stretch before sleep.
However, being an observant dog parent means knowing when this behavior shifts from normal to concerning. Trust your instincts, keep mental notes of patterns, and never hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian if something feels off. Your dog depends on you to be their voice and their advocate. What do you think about your pup’s sleeping habits? Have you noticed any interesting patterns in their nighttime behaviors?
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
