My Dog Keeps Sticking Its Tongue In and Out

Dogs use their tongue for everything. They lick us and anything else that interests them, they lick other animals, or, very importantly, they stick their tongue out when they need to cool down their body temperature.

But if our dog repeatedly sticks its tongue in and out and won't stop, it's likely a sign that something isn't quite right. The problem, as we'll see below, can be either physical or psychological.

Do Dogs Sweat Through Their Tongue?

Dogs don't sweat the way we do. They don't have sweat glands all over their skin — instead, they only have a small number located in their paw pads. But they still need to lower their temperature when they're hot, so they've turned to another mechanism: the tongue. When a dog is hot, it sticks out its tongue.

This way, the evaporation happening on its surface lowers its temperature. So it's completely normal for our dog to stick its tongue in and out after intense exercise or on the hottest days, though it's more common for it to just keep its mouth open for as long as needed — that's panting, which isn't always effective.

Keep in mind that if the ambient temperature is very high, panting won't be enough to lower the dog's body temperature. In these cases, if it's not quickly moved to a cooler environment, it risks suffering a dangerous heatstroke. This is a veterinary emergency requiring immediate attention.

Nose and Mouth Injuries

Continuously sticking the tongue in and out can stem from some discomfort in that area. A small wound on the nose or lips, or even a lump or foreign object lodged there, can make the dog want to lick repeatedly. The first step is to examine the area, including inside the mouth, in case we spot the problem.

Minor injuries will heal on their own in a short time. As for foreign objects, if they're clearly visible, we can try removing them with tweezers. But if they're not easily reachable, or the dog won't allow handling, it's best to see a vet rather than force it — and the sooner, the less time the object stays lodged.

This would increase the chances of complications, developing inflammation or infection. Similarly, a lump should always be checked by a vet. Remember, not every lump is a tumor, and even then, it could be benign. But keep in mind that early treatment gives the dog a better outlook.

The Tongue and Signs of Illness

When a dog sticks its tongue in and out, it could be a sign it's swallowing repeatedly. This sometimes corresponds to a foreign object lodged in the throat area, like a toy or bone. Another concerning sign is if it paws at its mouth, as if trying to get something out.

An infection can also cause a dog to swallow over and over, sticking its tongue in and out. Fever, coughing, nausea, or loss of appetite are other symptoms of throat infections. This gesture can also be a sign of retching — meaning the dog feels like vomiting, and we might see it stick out its tongue, drool, or heave its abdomen.

It may or may not end in vomiting. Vomiting is very easy for dogs, and a one-off episode isn't concerning. But if the retching repeats or other symptoms appear, we'll need to contact the vet. Suspecting a foreign object or a respiratory infection also requires this professional's evaluation.

Sticking Out the Tongue as a Calming Signal

Lastly, sticking the tongue in and out can simply be a communicative signal. Specifically, it would be one of the so-called appeasement or calming signals. Dogs don't talk, but they're very capable of communicating with us and with each other through their different senses.

So we can talk about body, visual, olfactory, and auditory communication. The appeasement signal is part of body communication. A dog gives it when it finds itself in a situation that's starting to feel uncomfortable. It'd be like a "please, leave me alone." Tilting the head, yawning, or blinking carry the same meaning.

If this is our dog's case, it's best to check what's happening — meaning what could be causing it tension — to immediately end the stressful situation. On the other hand, the repeated tongue-in-and-out movement can also indicate anxiety and nervousness. An animal behaviorist or behavior expert can help in these cases.

Bibliography Carlson and Giffin. 2002. Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook. Madrid: Editorial el Drac. Morris, Desmond. 1988. Dog Watching. Barcelona: Plaza & Janés.