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Our pups can do some pretty cute (and kind of weird) things when they’re asleep. Whether it’s twitching paws while they dream about chasing critters or hilarious sleep positions, dogs can be awfully funny while resting. Sometimes, though, they do things that dog parents find concerning, like sleeping with their tongue out.
Why do dogs sleep with their tongues out? Is it perfectly normal, or is there a reason to worry about this habit? Here are 10 reasons dogs typically sleep with their tongues hanging out of their mouths; in many cases, it’s simply an adorable habit and nothing to be concerned over. But there are a few instances when you should take note.
The 10 Reasons That Dogs Sleep With Their Tongue Out
1. Anatomy
Your dog sleeping with their tongue out may be a simple matter of anatomy. Dogs have pretty long tongues, and some canines have much longer tongues than others (the longest dog tongue ever was 17 inches!). So, if your pet is sleeping with their mouth open and has a fairly long tongue, it may just fall out of the mouth as they sleep.
2. Breed-Specific
If you’ve been around a lot of different dog breeds, you might have noticed that some breeds are more likely to sleep with their tongues out than others. Most of these breeds are brachycephalic, meaning they have shorter than normal snouts and flatter faces. The shape of these pups’ heads can naturally cause their tongues to fall out during sleep. Just a few of these breeds include the Pekingese, Pugs, Boxers, and French Bulldogs.
3. Relaxation
Our canine companions are big fans of being comfy and relaxed, which also applies to their sleep routine. Sometimes, pups are simply so relaxed while sleeping that the muscles in their mouths become looser, leading to their tongue slipping out while they’re snoozing away. There’s definitely no cause for concern for this reason!
4. Dreaming
Dogs can do some pretty random things while they’re asleep, especially in the midst of a dream. You may notice their feet twitching while dreaming and even hear them make little noises. Your pup could even begin panting, leading to their tongue sticking out of their mouth. So, if your pup is clearly dreaming while their tongue is stuck out of their mouth, they’re fine!
5. Hanging Tongue Syndrome
What is Hanging Tongue Syndrome? Basically, exactly what it sounds like; a dog with this condition has a hanging tongue because they aren’t able to pull it back into or keep it in their mouth. A dog with this condition won’t only have their tongue hanging out during sleep, but rather at all times. It can be kind of cute, but it can also lead to health issues, as a hanging tongue makes a canine more prone to a cracked tongue, infection, dehydration, and even frostbite if they live in a cold climate.
Some dogs are born with Hanging Tongue Syndrome due to anatomical reasons, some of which we’ve discussed above. It is most common in brachycephalic breeds, who have a flat face and a tongue that is too large for their oral cavity. It can also be due to missing teeth that allows the tongue to hang out through the gap. But some pups end up with this condition after receiving trauma that damages nerves in the jaw or other medical conditions.
6. Medical Condition
Not all the reasons a dog may be sleeping with their tongue out are benign. In some instances, this behavior could be due to an underlying medical condition or injury.
If a pup has suffered an injury to the jaw or face, they could become a sleeper who naps with their tongue out. Respiratory problems can also cause a dog to stick their tongue out when resting (another reason brachycephalic breeds may be more prone to doing this), as this can help them get more air when breathing. Neurological issues could also be a cause of this, especially if those issues affect nerves or muscles in the face.
If your dog has recently begun sleeping with their tongue out and they show any other signs of discomfort or possible health issues, contact your vet.
7. Dental Problems
The problem may be related to dental issues. If a pup is experiencing any kind of discomfort in the mouth or pain in their teeth, they may start hanging their tongue out of their mouth to avoid pressure on whatever is hurting, including during sleep. If your pup is not only sleeping with their tongue out but also eating less or drooling excessively, it could be a sign of dental issues, and a vet should be contacted.
8. Side Effect
Has your pet recently started a new medication and begun sleeping with their tongue out? Then, that medication may be responsible. If a medication results in deeper or more relaxed sleep, it could cause a pup’s tongue to loll out. If this is the case, call your vet to let them know this is occurring and to ensure it’s fine and your dog doesn’t need to have their medication adjusted.
9. Sleep Position
Our canine companions can sometimes sleep in pretty wacky positions, like when they’re on their backs with their feet sticking up in the air. Some random sleep positions may cause a dog’s tongue to fall out of their mouth during sleep. As long as your pup is comfy, though, there is no need to reposition them!
10. Regulating Temperature
Finally, the reason may simply be that your dog is hot while resting. Canines regulate their body temperature through panting, which involves their tongue hanging out of their mouth, so if your pet becomes overheated while napping, they could start panting. In most cases, this is no big deal, but if you notice your dog panting excessively while resting or if they also look uncomfortable, something medical could be going on, like respiratory trouble.
When Should I Worry About My Dog Sleeping With Their Tongue Out?
In most cases, a dog sleeping with their tongue out isn’t cause for concern. It’s simply a harmless habit caused by a sleep position or a nice dream. However, in some cases, there is cause for worry, particularly if your dog has never slept with their tongue out before and only just started doing so.
If your pup only began doing this, and if you see signs like lack of appetite, swelling in the jaw or face, an injury to the jaw, a broken tooth, excessive drooling or panting while asleep, or discoloration of the gums, it’s time to contact your vet. Signs such as this are clear indicators that something less benign is the cause of your pet napping with their tongue hanging out of their mouth.
Conclusion
Our furry friends sleep with their tongues out for many reasons, most of which aren’t harmful. However, there are a few cases when a dog resting with their tongue out could be an indication that something more serious than a wacky sleep position or relaxation is going on. If you suspect your pup may be dealing with an undiagnosed medical condition or injury, have them see a vet as soon as possible. Otherwise, enjoy the cuteness of your dog sleeping with their tongue lolling out of their mouth!
Featured Image Credit: Annette Shaff, Shutterstock
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