My dog smacks his lips after sleeping. What could be the cause?

If the other dog is a female, Tiny may be reacting to the hormones since he is not neutered. If there is often food or treats when you are with the other dog, he may be smelling that and telling you he is ready for some, too. Dogs will occasionally smack their lips when they are stressed; it is a way for them to try to calm themselves. I would watch their interaction very carefully, and Tiny may benefit from something like a Comfort Zone Adaptil Collar to help with the stress. Finally, he may be doing it as a way to gain your attention! Other potential causes of lip smacking include nausea, dehydration, or oral/dental disease. If additional symptoms of pain or not eating develop, Tiny may need to see a vet.

This sign could be quite generic and could be compatible commonly with teeth problems or nausea (related to gastrointestinal inflammation/infections), but it is not uncommon even in normal dogs. In Puffina case I would just monitor her should the signs be persistent or getting worse or should you notice any gastrointestinal sign as vomiting or diarrhoea. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Licking the lips can sometimes be a sign of nervousness, nausea, or even an issue with the teeth or mouth. If he hasn't had a dental cleaning recently, tartar on the teeth or gums could be causing some irritation and thus the licking behavior. Nausea such as from minor GI upset, may also cause drooling, or have signs such as vomiting or diarrhea, but this is not always the case. If it continues or you see any signs of illness/smell bad breath, etc, having your vet take a look is best. If you've changed something in his environment around the time the licking started (new pet, people, items in the house, etc) it could be that he's feeling a bit nervous or uncomfortable as well. Making sure he gets some extra attention and the cause of the nervousness is addressed (IE making sure he has someplace to go rest and hide, using a pheromone diffuser, etc) may help.

It sounds like Nene may be feeling a bit nauseated or anxious. This can cause symptoms such as burping/hiccuping, licking lips, drooling, etc. Causes can be anything from GI upset, to illness, bloat, or even something stuck in the mouth or throat. If he won't let you examine his mouth at all and is refusing to eat or drink, seems painful, or in distress, having him examined by a vet ASAP is best to rule out more serious issues.

Lip smacking is mostly a sign of GI upset. So this fits with his current bacterial infection that he is dealing with. Once his GI tract is back to normal, the lip smacking should resolve itself. I would also consider putting him on a probiotic (i.e. Fortiflora or Proviable) along with the antibiotic, to ensure his normal flora is regulated. Ask your vet for some or you can try purchasing some online. Best of luck with your pup Bitbit moving forward. Take care.

Your little dog could have an issue with the back of her throat, like chronic post-nasal drip, causing her to swallow over and over again and make that sound. Or her teeth could be causing issues, and dental disease is very common in small dogs of this age. She needs an exam by your veterinarian to identify what is causing this behavior and to figure out if there is a way to help fix it.

It may be a normal "quirk" for Precious. However, nausea and dental disease can also cause them to lick their lips. If she's not having any other symptoms like vomiting or poor appetite, then you could continue to monitor her. If she hasn't seen a vet recently, it would be a good idea to have a through exam done by a veterinarian to see if she has dental disease or look for any other medical reasons she might be doing this.