When you think about it, a dog’s tongue is pretty cool. Your pooch uses their tongue to eat and drink, to help cool down their body, and, of course, to give you lots of slobbery kisses. A strange but cute thing that some dogs do is stick their tongues out all the time. It could even be your dog. Sometimes it’s just the tip; other times their full tongues are hanging out of the sides of their mouths. This may be an innocent and cute trait, but it could also be a sign of a health problem. Four things could be making your dog’s tongue stick out.
They’re extremely comfortable
The good news is that having your dog’s tongue hanging out is not always a bad thing. A tongue hanging out for an extended amount of time, but not permanently, can indicate total relaxation. If your dog has just eaten a fantastic meal, played to their hearts content, or is lying next to you with their tongue hanging out, it could simply indicate that they are in a state of absolute joy.
They’re panting
When humans become warm, they sweat. When dogs warm up, they pant. Both of these responses cool the body, and the mechanism is the same: they both result in evaporation. When your dog pants, it takes quick, shallow breaths that help water escape from its tongue and upper respiratory tract. Evaporation makes your dog calm down.
If your dog is panting excessively, try to keep them in a cool environment and limit physical activity for a time. Make sure they have enough water. If your dog’s panting persists for an extended period of time, even after it appears to have calmed down, it may be best to take him to the vet, just to be safe.
They have started a new medicine
The start of a new drug into your dog’s system may be the reason of their tongue sticking out. If your dog is on new medicine and is exhibiting this symptom, as well as any other new symptoms or habits, speak with your veterinarian to ensure that this is the correct prescription for your dog and that you need adjust your tactics.
Hanging Tongue Syndrome
Hanging Tongue Syndrome is exactly what it seems like: the dog’s tongue hangs out of their mouth and is not indicative of any other problems.
Genetics predispose smaller and brachycephalic (“smooshed”) dog breeds, such as Pugs, to this disease. Their tongues may be physically too huge for the oral cavity, or breeding may have resulted in an aberrant jaw bone that cannot support it adequately. If your dog has an overbite or underbite, they are more likely to acquire this condition as they become older.
Is there any issue with Hanging Tongue Syndrome?
The main symptom of Hanging Tongue Syndrome is a severely dried out tongue. Consider how it feels when your lips are severely parched and there is no lip balm in sight. Imagine that feeling only on the tip of your tongue. All the time. This is what dogs with this condition may have to contend with.
If your dog has this illness, keep an eye out for swelling, bleeding, or tongue breaking, and get medical attention if you observe any.
Are you concerned about how your dog’s tongue sticks out?
If your dog has Hanging Tongue disease, make sure they have access to lots of water and that the color of their tongue and gums remains consistent, as dogs with this disease are more prone to infections and even frostbite on their tongues in colder weather.
Discoloration of the tongue and gums indicates infection, so contact your veterinarian immediately. The abrupt onset of this illness, paired with unusual behavior, could indicate neurological abnormalities. If this is happening to your dog, contact your veterinarian right once to ensure that nothing severe is happening.
Hanging tongue can sometimes caused by non-genetic reasons. One common cause is advanced dental disease, which can result in the loss of lower canine teeth. When there is no support for the tongue, it might protrude to the side. Furthermore, traumas to the jaw, tongue, or head might result in nerve damage or tongue scarring, which worsens the problem.
Now that you know why your dog’s tongue sticks out, find out what their ear position can tell you!