Why Do Dogs Sleep with Their Tongue Out?
Dogs sleep with their tongues out as a way of regulating their body temperature and helping them cool off. It’s a frequent occurrence in hot weather. Dogs who suffer from Hanging Tongue Syndrome or who are very relaxed and dreaming may also unconsciously hang their tongues out while they are asleep.
Your dog lying around with his tongue hanging out may be an indication to fill the water bowl, turn on the air conditioning, or to take additional actions to help your dog cool off.
Understanding the different reasons why dogs sleep with their tongues out is important. It can help you provide comfort measures for your dog or know when to seek veterinary care for a problem.
Hanging Tongue Syndrome
Hanging Tongue Syndrome is a medical condition that forces dogs to stick out their tongue. This condition is usually genetic, but it can also be caused by an injury or disease process. It can lead to severe side effects and affect a dog’s overall quality of life.
Just because your dog sticks their tongue out while asleep, it does not mean they are suffering from this condition. It is important to note additional symptoms like bad breath, bleeding or thickening of the tongue, dry tongue, or tongue swelling.
If you suspect your dog has Hanging Tongue Syndrome, getting a diagnosis from your vet is the first step to treatment. Your dog will likely undergo a series of tests to confirm the condition and begin treatment.
Mouth breathing
Dogs can breathe through their noses and mouths just like humans do. The difference is that your dog can breathe through their nose and mouth at the same time. Sleeping with their tongue out of their mouth is a way for your dog to draw in more air through their mouth.
Healthy dogs who mouth breathe in their sleep may also exhibit other signs of peaceful slumber. If there are no signs indicating pain or distress, mouth breathing is nothing to worry about. Enjoy the cuteness and relax.
Deep Relaxation
A tongue hanging out of your dog’s mouth can be a sign that they are deeply relaxed. If your dog doesn’t normally stick out their tongue but does so after a busy day, this may be why. Dogs who undergo a long day with lots of physical activity that interferes with napping often do this.
This also happens when dogs have accumulated fatigue. If you’ve been away from home or had changes in your normal routine that interrupted your dog’s normal sleep patterns, it can increase the need for deep relaxation once sleep occurs.
Panting
Dogs pant for two reasons: to increase their oxygen supply during heavy exertion and to cool themselves down when they are hot.
Your dog can increase their breathing rate by up to 1000% by sticking their tongue out, thus getting more oxygen into their body. They can do this while standing, lying down, or sleeping. Even if your dog’s breathing rate goes back to normal, their tongue may stay hanging out while they are asleep.
Heatstroke, Stress, or Poisoning
Most of the time, there is nothing to be concerned about when your dog’s tongue sticks out. However, it is also a common occurrence in dogs suffering from heatstroke. Heatstroke results from exposure to excessively high temperatures for a prolonged period of time, leading to respiratory distress and seizures.
Dogs experiencing anxiety will also pant or stick their tongues out. While certain instances of anxiety are normal, like that experienced during a thunderstorm, it is not normal for your dog to be anxious all the time. Other signs that your dog is anxious include pacing, pawing, yawning, and increased reactivity.
A dog who is suffering from food poisoning may stick their tongue out while they are lying down. However, food poisoning will be accompanied by additional symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, and lethargy.
Side Effects of Dogs Hanging Their Tongue Out While Sleeping
Now that you know why dogs sleep with their tongues hanging out, the next question is whether this habit can cause problems for your dog’s health.
Let’s look at a few side effects of dogs sleeping with their tongues out.
Cracked, dry tongues
Sticking their tongue out can cause them to lose excessive amounts of moisture from the saliva inside the mouth. This leads to cracked and dry tongues. Not only does this look awful, but it can also be incredibly painful for your dog.
Infection
Dogs who stick their tongues out in their sleep are prone to a myriad of bacterial infections. Most of these are due to cracking in the tongue, which provides an entry point for insects, flies, and other pathogens.
Since your dog’s tongue is moist, it also attracts bacteria, fungus, and parasites to varying degrees.
Frostbite
Frostbite is a real problem for dogs who stick their tongues out in cold weather. Particularly for brachycephalic dogs who often have a tongue too big for their mouth, it can result in freezing of the tongue. This is not only very painful but put’s your dog at risk of developing hypothermia.
Hypothermia can turn fatal very quickly if not treated. If your dog is sleeping with their tongue out in the cold weather, they should be brought inside and warmed up as soon as possible.
Serving your dog warm (but not hot) food is one of the easiest ways to warm up their tongue. It will melt ice off the tongue and increase your dog’s internal body temperature.
Sunburn
Just as your dog’s tongue can get frostbitten in the cold, it can get sunburnt in the heat. This can be a huge problem, as you can’t stop your dog from hanging their tongue out. The best thing to do is to make sure your dog has lots of shade to retreat into on hot summer days.
Dog Breeds That Commonly Sleep with Their Tongues Out
No dog breed is immune from sleeping with their tongue out, but it’s more common in some breeds than others.
Small dogs and brachycephalic breeds often stick their tongues out. A few that do it habitually include:
- Pugs
- Bulldogs
- Chihuahuas
- King Charles Spaniels
- Mastiffs
Other Reasons Dogs Stick Their Tongues Out
Hunger
Dogs who stick their tongues out repeatedly may be exhibiting signs of hunger. If it’s accompanied by sad eyes and begging for food, this could be the problem.
Medication Side Effects
Sticking out the tongue can be a side effect of certain medications. It can also be a sign that your dog is having an adverse reaction. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog has recently started medication and is suddenly sticking out their tongue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dogs sleeping with their tongue out is a behaviour that can indicate a variety of things, from overheating to comfort and contentment. Understanding the reasons behind this behaviour can help us better understand our furry friends and ensure that they are healthy and happy.
So next time you see your dog sleeping with their tongue out, take a moment to appreciate their unique quirks and enjoy the comfort and happiness that they bring into our lives.
