Why Dogs Dry Their Mouths After Drinking Water
If you've noticed your dog making strange facial movements, like rapidly opening and closing their mouth, smacking their lips, or swallowing repeatedly after drinking water, you're not alone. Many dog owners observe this peculiar behavior and wonder why their pooch dries their mouth in such an odd way.
There are several possible explanations for why dogs dry their mouths after drinking. Let's explore some of the most common theories behind this quirky canine habit.
1. Getting Rid of Excess Water
One of the simplest explanations is that dogs are just trying to get rid of extra water in their mouth after gulping down a big drink. The smacking, chomping, and lip licking motions help expel water from their oral cavity.
Dogs have loose jowls and fleshy lips that can trap water. All that excess liquid in the mouth and on the gums can feel uncomfortable. Drying the mouth is an instinctive way for dogs to relieve that sensation.
2. Improving Scent Detection
Another intriguing theory has to do with enhancing a dog's ability to detect scents. According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Bonnie Beaver, mouth drying helps dogs recapture scents and odors caught in the moisture.
Like cats, dogs have an auxiliary olfactory sense thanks to their Jacobson's organ. Also known as the vomeronasal organ, this scent receptor is located in the roof of the mouth. It picks up pheromones and other chemical cues that provide dogs with a wealth of social and environmental information.
By drying moisture from their mouth, dogs can activate their Jacobson's organ and amplify its scent detection abilities. This allows them to gain more olfactory insight into their surroundings.
3. Stimulating Saliva Production
Mouth drying motions also stimulate saliva production and distribution according to veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker. The act of smacking and licking helps spread saliva around the mouth.
This increased saliva flow serves an important purpose after drinking. Saliva contains enzymes that help digest sugars, proteins, and fats. Spreading fresh saliva helps prepare a dog's mouth for metabolizing their recent drink and the upcoming meal.
4. Preventing Dental Disease
Excess moisture in the mouth also creates an inviting environment for bacteria growth. This can set the stage for plaque build-up, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.
By rapidly expelling water and distributing fresh saliva, dogs engage in a form of instinctive dental hygiene and prevention. The oral cavity drying action cleans the teeth and gums while inhibiting bacterial overgrowth.
5. Self-Soothing Habit
In some cases, a dog's post-drink mouth drying is more of a self-soothing ritual than a functional behavior. Similar to infants rooting or repetitive motions in children, it can be a comforting habit.
routines and rhythmic behaviors release feel-good endorphins in the brain. For certain dogs, drying the mouth is part of a neurochemical self-soothing mechanism. It helps reduce stress much like pacifier sucking does for human babies.
Tips for Managing Excessive Mouth Drying
While most post-drink mouth drying is harmless, excessive or intense versions of the behavior can be problematic. Here are some tips for curbing over-the-top mouth drying in dogs.
1. Address Underlying Anxiety
If your dog seems obsessive, distressed, or compulsive about drying their mouth, it may signal an anxiety issue. Help reduce their stress and fear levels through more exercise, mental stimulation, and management of triggers.
Consulting with a veterinary behaviorist can also help uncover and resolve sources of anxiety that are manifesting as mouth drying compulsion.
2. Use a Water Additive
Some dogs seem sensitive to certain qualities of water. Additives like low-sodium broth, purified water filters, or dental solution can make water more tolerable.
Ask your vet if your dog may benefit from a water additive to take the edge off any unpleasant sensations causing them to excessively dry their mouth.
3. Wipe the Muzzle
Use a soft towel or cloth to gently wipe your dog's mouth and muzzle area after drinking. This can remove excess moisture and debris that induces mouth drying.
It also provides a tactile alternative to self-drying that some dogs find reassuring. Just be careful not to startle or restrain your dog during face wiping.
4. Provide Chew Toys
Redirecting your dog to chew toys after drinking can satisfy their oral fixation and need to dry the mouth. Interactive toys like Kongs stuffed with treats can engage your dog's natural chewing instincts.
The chewing action mimics a drying motion while preventing excessive licking, chomping, and lip smacking behavior.
5. Discourage Attention-Seeking
For some dogs, post-drink mouth drying becomes an attention-seeking ploy. If the behavior ramps up around you, try ignoring it or leaving the room when it starts up.
Withholding attention for mouth drying can curb attention-motivated repetitions. But be sure to still reward calm post-drink behavior with praise and affection.
When to See the Vet
In most cases, dogs drying their mouths after drinking is nothing to be concerned about. But if you notice any of the following issues, consult your veterinarian:
- Excessive, frantic mouth drying motions
- Visible discomfort, distress, or pain during mouth drying
- Drooling, gagging, or coughing after drinking
- Loss of appetite or refusal to drink
- Red, swollen, or inflamed gums
- New pawing, rubbing, or scratching at the face or mouth
- Persistent bad breath
These signs can indicate potential health problems requiring veterinary attention. Some possibilities include dental disease, allergies, gastrointestinal issues, or even neurological disorders like seizures or compulsive disorders.
While most post-drink mouth antics are harmless behavioral quirks, abnormal or excessive mouth activity paired with other symptoms warrants a veterinary visit. It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to changes in your dog's drinking and oral health.
The Takeaway on Dogs Drying Their Mouths
If your dog makes odd chomping, licking, swallowing motions after drinking water, there’s likely no cause for concern. This mouth drying behavior is simply an innate ritual that serves several functions related to removing excess moisture, enhancing scent detection, distributing fresh saliva, and practicing dental hygiene.
Excessive drying can sometimes indicate anxiety, discomfort, or attention-seeking behavior. Consulting a vet or behaviorist can help determine if compulsive mouth drying in your dog is part of a larger issue needing treatment. Otherwise, consider it a harmless idiosyncrasy of being a quirky canine!
FAQs
Why does my dog make weird lip smacking motions after drinking water?
The lip smacking and chomping motions are your dog's way of getting rid of excess water in their mouth. It also helps spread saliva around for better scent detection and oral health.
Is my dog's excessive mouth drying normal or a problem?
Mild to moderate mouth drying is normal, but excessive, frantic motions can signal anxiety, discomfort, or attention-seeking. Consult your vet if your dog seems obsessive about mouth drying.
How can I curb my dog's obsessive mouth drying habit?
Try wiping their muzzle after drinking, using a water additive, redirecting to a chew toy, or withdrawing attention. Addressing any underlying stress and anxiety can also help.
Could my dog's post-drink mouth antics indicate a health issue?
Excessive drying paired with signs like drooling, appetite loss, gum inflammation or facial scratching warrants a vet visit to check for dental disease, allergies, or neurological issues.
Is it safe for my dog to drink water if they have this mouth drying behavior?
Yes, in most cases post-drink mouth drying is not harmful and dogs can safely drink water. Make sure ample fresh water is always available unless a vet advises otherwise.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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