Dogs lick the air for a multitude of reasons, some medical and some behavioral. It may not make sense to us, but let’s examine some of the options:
Dogs May Lick Air to Communicate
Licking the air when directed at a canine housemate or a human can be appeasement. This action is typically offered by an insecure dog who is unsure of what may transpire in any given context. It’s usually in conjunction with appeasing body language such as a curved body to appear less threatening. Air licking can also happen because of excitement or reconnecting after an absence of either. This type of air licking can also fall under the heading of anxiety.
Dogs May Lick Air Due to Smells
Dogs may lick the air to taste the smells that their extraordinary olfactory senses give them access to try and identify them.
When you see a dog making what looks like mouthwash swishing moves after licking the air or showing the Flehman response, where they curl up their upper lip, showing their teeth. This means that they are using their Jacobson organ, also known as the vomeronasal organ. This organ, located at the roof of their mouth, allows them to process smells, especially those associated with pheromones. You may see this happen when they are smelling urine markings on a walk or in the case of a boy dog being a little rude to a girl dog, after taking a hearty sniff of their privates.
Dog May Lick Air Due to Illness or Pain
Gastrointestinal issues/acid reflux can cause air licking, along with other symptoms such as air gulping/swallowing, vomiting, nausea, etc. Reach out to your veterinarian to help you better assess the situation.
Dental issues/mouth pain is a common cause of air licking. Does your dog’s breath smell off? Is there something stuck in their mouth/teeth? If this is uncommon behavior on your dog’s part and you suspect this to be the cause, prompt attention is important.
Seizures are another possible cause for air licking. Look at the context for other signs of such, especially if this is not normal for your dog. Get a video if possible, if your dog is not in immediate danger, as it can assist your veterinarian with diagnosis.
Licking Air May Be a Sign of Doggie Dementia
Declining cognitive abilities like Canine Cognitive Disorder (doggy dementia) can be a cause for air licking, especially when it primarily happens in the evening. It may be associated with other symptoms for this condition such as confusion, pacing, barking/whining at night, etc. A consultation with a veterinary behaviorist may be in order, but start with your primary-care veterinarian.
Licking Air May Be a Behavioral Issue
A dog licking the air can be one of the signs of an obsessive/compulsive disorder (OCD) that can also include biting the air. Again, context matters so keep track of what is going on at the time. Licking or biting the air is part of an attempt to self-sooth though an unproductive one. If this describes your dog, a neurologist may need to be part of their care team as well as a veterinary behaviorist.
This potential cause for why a dog is air licking can often go hand in hand with signs of anxiety in a dog. Most dogs who have OCD propensities are also anxious to varying degrees. If you suspect that your dog’s air licking is anxiety related, it’s important to reach out to a well-qualified dog behavior consultant or a veterinary behaviorist or both.
We all know dogs enjoy licking things. Your dog may simply be enthusiastic about the idea of a soon-to-be-enjoyed treat. If this is your dog, relish that enthusiasm! Otherwise, play detective and get to the root cause of the air licking by looking at the surrounding context.
