Seeing a dog with his tongue out is pretty standard during the daytime.
That’s why it’s pretty normal to be worried.
After all, most dogs sleep with their tongues closed.
Why does my dog sleep with his tongue out?
The most prominent reason is the lack of teeth. Other than that, your dog probably has a more extended tongue. By keeping it out, your dog can breathe more naturally. Lastly, your dog is perhaps feeling too hot and panting.
Anyways, that was just a short answer. This matter requires further elaboration, and I’m glad to do that for you.
Let’s not roam around any longer and get right into it!
Dogs Sleeping With Tongues Out: 3 Reasons Why!
Dogs have several reasons to sleep with their tongues out. It can either be a syndrome or just a technique to regulate heat.
Like dogs, other animals like cats also let their tongue out during the daytime. But overall, dogs like to do it way more than cats.
Dogs also like to sleep on their owner’s heads from time to time.
Since there are multiple reasons, I’ve decided to list them. This will reduce the time and effort needed to understand them.
Sit back, relax, and go through all the points individually. I’ve got the rest covered!
Reason 1: Your Dog Doesn’t Have All The Teeth
How old is your dog? Have you rescued your dog from the wild? These are questions that are of relevance.
Wild dogs that you have rescued may have missing teeth. It’s pretty standard, and nothing is alarming about it.
Some dog breeds often have their teeth pulled for health reasons. If your dog is missing some teeth, the tongue will come out!
Because dogs can’t control their tongue while they’re sleeping or unconscious.
This is primarily okay except if the tongue starts getting too dry. Dry tongues can get cracks quite quickly.
Solution: Use An Moisturizing Ointment
Dry tongues are pretty easy to treat. All you need is some water to moisturize the tongue.
But tongue moisturizers can be an excellent way to treat dry tongues with cracks. These ointments are highly efficient for your dog.
There are some other alternatives that you can use. If you have access to olive oil, apply it to the dog’s tongue. Other than that, wet foods are also a great way to treat cracks.
It cannot be easy to choose proper wet food for your dog. That’s why I’m recommending some great wet dog foods for you:
| Product 1 | |
| Product 2 |
These foods will certainly keep your dog’s tongue wet. Choose whichever you like more and grab it for your dog!
Treat your dog to some wet tuna if you don’t want to do any.
Reason 2: Your Dog Has A Long Tongue
Yes, you’ve read that right. Some dogs have longer tongues than others. It doesn’t only depend on different dog breeds.
Different dogs of the same breed can have tongues of different lengths.
We’re going to hit you with a strong word now. There’s a term called “Brachycephalic”. The origin of this word is Greek. This word is used to describe animals with shorter heads.
Brachycephalic animals have a head more minor than the optimal head/body ratio. Many dog breeds are Brachycephalic, and Pugs are great examples.
Dogs with shorter heads will have more oversized tongues. This is pretty self-explanatory. These dogs usually have trouble breathing because of more enormous tongues.
That’s why they naturally tend to breathe with their mouths open. This causes their tongue to fall out and they subconsciously start doing it while sleeping.
Solution: Look Out for Your Dog
Keep a lookout for your dog’s tongues. Make sure they aren’t too dry or cracked; it’ll be fine. If that’s the case, there’s nothing else to do for you.
By the way, your dog can also have a dry mouth problem. Treating a dry mouth is different, but it’s doable by yourself.
Reason 3: Your Dog Is Feeling Hot
Have you checked your room temperature recently? Has it been boiling recently? Because dogs don’t sweat like humans or other animals.
When dogs get hot, they start panting. Like tongues, they also release some heat through their cute paws. The tongue becomes a medium to let those heat out.
If it’s been hot recently, your dog is probably panting in its sleep. Fortunately, there are significant differences.
Panting and breathing aren’t the same at all. Panting is heavier than breathing. It’s also much more rapid compared to normal breathing.
Solution: Reduce the Room Temperature
Dogs can handle heat better than us. They also get way hotter due to less skin evaporation. But too much heat can cause heat strokes.
The best way to deal with this is to reduce the room temperature. Air conditioners work just fine. You can also get a table fan for your dog and place it accordingly.
This will cool off your dog, and it’ll stop panting.
Providing some cool water is another way to do it. You can also offer it in many forms of food.
For example, you can refresh your dog with some watermelons.
Other than that, you can also try cooling collars or cooling mats. They’re super effective when it comes to cooling your dog!
FAQs
How do you tell if your dog is having a nightmare or seizure?
Dogs love to dream! And it’s super easy to tell apart if the dream is good. If you see your dog kicking or twitching multiple times, it’s probably a nightmare. But dogs that have a seizure move more violently and are super rigid.
Do dogs cry in their sleep?
If your dog is crying in its sleep, it’s most likely because of dreams. Dogs can often dream of something sad and cry because of it. They can also bark, growl, or whimper sometimes.
Why does my dog put his paws on me?
Dogs putting paws on you means they’re saying they love you. It’s a sign of affection and care. If you’re stroking your dog’s head, it’ll react by putting its paw on you!
