Lip licking in dogs often serves as a form of communication, indicating various emotions or signaling their intentions to humans or other animals.
Dogs may lick their lips when feeling stressed or anxious, showing discomfort or unease in certain situations or environments.
Lip licking can be a submissive gesture in dog social interactions, demonstrating deference or appeasement to assert a non-threatening demeanor.
Dogs may lick their lips in anticipation of something desirable, such as food or attention, expressing eagerness or excitement.
Physical discomfort or pain can also prompt dogs to lick their lips as a self-soothing behavior, indicating potential health issues.
Lip licking can serve as a self-calming mechanism for dogs, helping them cope with stress or regulate emotions in challenging situations.
Understanding the context and accompanying body language cues is crucial for interpreting lip licking behavior accurately in dogs.