Why is My Dog Licking the Air?
Dogs have some habits that might seem downright weird. One such habit is licking the air. Have you noticed your dog doing that? While it may seem weird, there are several reasons why your pooch might be doing that. In this article we will cover three reasons dogs lick the air and what you can do about it.
To Get Your Attention
One reason your dog might lick the air is because they are trying to get your attention. If you notice that your dog only licks the air when you are around, it's likely that they are trying to get your attention for some reason. Maybe they want to be petted, or maybe they're just happy to see you. Either way, Air licking is one way that dogs communicate with their humans.
When you notice your dog licking the air to get your attention, you have 2 choices for handling the behavior. Either give them the attention they are asking for and they will continue to communicate their needs this way or ignore the behavior. If you ignore the behavior, your dog will learn that they are not going to get your attention by licking the air and they will eventually stop trying to get you attention in that way.
They Have Something Stuck in Their Mouth or Nose
Another reason your bulldog might be licking the air is because they have something stuck in their mouth or nose. Sticky foods like peanut butter can get stuck in the roof of their mouths. If they have been playing outside, they may have a splinter stuck in their mouth or nose area.
If your bulldog doesn't usually lick the air, it is likely because they have something stuck in the area and they are trying to get it out. Inspect their nose and mouth area to see if you can find the culprit. If your wrinkly dog has dirt or debris inside of their facial wrinkles or nose rope, use a Squishface Wrinkle Wipe to clean it out.
They Are Stressed Out
Licking the air can be a sign that your dog is stressed out. Things like thunderstorms or shouting can be common stressors for dogs, but they can get stressed out for a variety of other reasons. Some dogs don't like to be left alone, while others don't like crowds.
Aside from situational or noise stress, your dog might also feel stress when they are not feeling well or are uncomfortable. For example, in wrinkly dogs, if their skin is dry or flaky and is itching they may feel discomfort. In this case you might notice that they are licking the air in addition to scratching or rubbing.
If this is the case, inspect the wrinkles carefully. Use Squishface Wrinkle Wipes to clean and clear the area. Our alcohol-free formula is gentle enough for even the most sensitive and allergy-prone dogs and will not sting. Our wipes also have phytosphingosine in them. Phytosphingosine is a pro-ceramide with anti-inflammatory and microbe repelling properties. If skin issues are causing your dog stress, Wrinkle Wipes can help alleviate the discomfort and help to rebuild the damaged skin.
For added protection, follow up with Squishface Wrinkle Paste. Wrinkle Paste forms a water-repellent barrier on the skin surface which keeps moisture, yeast, fungus and other bacteria away.
The Bottom Line
If your dog is licking the air it most likely isn't because of "tongue out Tuesday." They may just want attention, or there could be another underlying condition causing the behavior. Observe how and when your dog is licking and whether or not that is a common behavior for them or not to figure out why they are licking the air and what action you should take. If you are concerned about the behavior, schedule a visit to the vet.
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