What's going on when a dog sticks out its tongue?

A dog sticking out its tongue may be due to hot weather, thirst, stress, cuteness, eating too much salt, hanging tongue syndrome, or heart and lung diseases. First of all, if it's not caused by a disease, it's generally not a big deal. Give the dog water and let it rest for a while, and it will recover on its own, such as when it's caused by hot weather or thirst. Secondly, if it's caused by a disease, seek medical attention in time to avoid missing the best treatment period.

Hot weather

If the weather is too hot, the dog will stick out its tongue and pant to dissipate its body heat. If it's indoors, the owner can appropriately lower the ambient temperature. If it's outdoors, the owner needs to move the dog to a shady and well-ventilated place. Then provide the dog with clean drinking water and let it rest for a while to recover.

Thirsty

When a dog feels thirsty, it will stick out its tongue frequently and wander around looking for water. If you notice your dog doing this, give it water promptly. If the dehydration is severe, the dog might faint from heatstroke, so always prepare plenty of clean drinking water for your dog.

Feeling stressed

Some dogs, especially those with smaller personalities, will stick out their tongues when they feel stressed, such as when they are in a strange environment or when a stranger appears at home. In this case, the owner can gently stroke the dog or hold it in their arms to relieve its stress. Once the dog becomes familiar with the environment, it will gradually calm down.

Being cute

Dogs are intelligent, and if they find that their owners are happy or give them food when they stick out their tongues, they will use this behavior to please them next time, even when they've made a mistake.

Eating too much salt

When a dog eats, if it finds the food too salty, it will stop eating, stick out its tongue, slow down its eating pace, and drink a lot of water to alleviate the discomfort. Therefore, when feeding your dog, it's best to choose pet-specific dog food and pair it with some lighter dishes. Never blindly feed your dog human food or high-salt food, as it will exacerbate hair loss and damage your dog's health.

Hanging tongue syndrome

If a dog sticks out its tongue but cannot retract it, it may have hanging tongue syndrome. Dogs with this condition often cannot control their tongues and have to keep them extended outside, which not only affects their appetite but also causes damage to their tongues. In this case, owners should make sure their dogs drink plenty of water to moisten their tongues and take them to a pet hospital for treatment promptly.

Heart and lung diseases

If a dog has heart and lung diseases, it will also pant and stick out its tongue, along with symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. In this case, it's recommended to take the dog to a pet hospital for inspection and treatment as soon as possible.