You’re walking down the street with your dog by your side and their tongue is hanging out as they enjoy the warm, sunny day. This is perfectly normal. Dogs’ tongues naturally spend a lot of time outside their mouths when they’re panting, grooming, and relaxing. So when does a dog sticking their tongue out become abnormal?
If your dog is persistently sticking their tongue out, even when they’re resting and their mouth is closed, they may have hanging tongue syndrome.
What is Hanging Tongue Syndrome in Dogs?
Hanging tongue syndrome is a general term that describes when a dog’s tongue sticks out excessively, often even when their mouth is closed. While it’s normal for dogs’ tongues to hang out while panting, exercising, and even when relaxed with their mouth open, most dogs will rest with their tongue fully within their mouth.
Dogs with hanging tongue syndrome either aren’t able to fully retract their tongue, or struggle to keep it in their mouth when they do. Some will have a tongue that sticks out forwards, while others will commonly let their tongue loll out of the side of their mouth.
Hanging tongue syndrome can be permanent or intermittent and, depending on its severity, can be simply a cosmetic quirk or a cause of discomfort.
Why Do Some Dogs’ Tongues Hang Out? 4 Possible Causes
While there are many potential reasons for a dog’s tongue hanging out, these fall into four main categories.
Dental Issues
Dental disease is very common in dogs. It’s estimated that 80 percent of dogs over the age of 3 have dental disease. As a vet, this matches what I see in my exam room.
Pain from dental disease may influence how a dog holds their mouth and tongue. However, hanging tongue syndrome is more commonly caused by tooth loss or extractions due to severe dental disease. The teeth – especially the lower canines at the front of the mouth – help to hold the tongue in position. Without these, it can easily hang out.
This is a particularly common reason for seeing Chihuahuas and Yorkies with their tongues out, as dental disease is significantly more common in small breed dogs [1].
Abnormal Anatomy
Hanging Tongue Syndrome can also be due to either a congenital defect or a dog’s genetics causing abnormal development of the tongue, jaw and/or mouth. Anything that causes the tongue to be larger, or the mouth to be smaller, can lead to a dog’s tongue hanging out more frequently.
Certain breeds are predisposed to hanging tongue syndrome, including Yorkies, Chihuahuas and brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Pugs, Shih Tzus and French Bulldogs.
Flat-faced breeds in particular have been bred to have a much shorter skull and mouth, but their tongue hasn’t kept up with this — meaning it doesn’t always fit well into their mouth. Other abnormalities like an underbite are also common in these breeds and can contribute to the tongue sticking out.
Neurological Issues
Occasionally, the issue isn’t a lack of space in the mouth or a lack of teeth holding the tongue in position, but an inability to retract the tongue normally. This is a much less common cause of Hanging Tongue Syndrome. It’s usually related to either trauma or neurological disease, and would typically be seen with other signs – so if your dog’s only symptom is their tongue sticking out, it’s much less likely to be a neurological issue.
Injury and Trauma
Finally, Hanging Tongue Syndrome can be a consequence of significant injury to the mouth, tongue or jaw, or the nerves that control the tongue. Trauma to these areas can cause changes to how they fit together, or to how the soft tissues of the mouth hold the tongue in position, leaving a dog with their tongue persistently out.
Occasionally, this can be the result of surgery. For example, some dogs with cancer in their lower jaw can be treated by having part of the jaw removed, leaving their tongue hanging out.
Does Hanging Tongue Syndrome Require Treatment?
Despite the medical sounding name, hanging tongue syndrome often doesn’t require any treatment at all. Many dogs cope well despite their tongue sticking out, especially if it’s intermittent and they can hold it in their mouth some of the time.
If you notice your dog with their tongue out on a regular basis, it’s worth keeping an eye on it. Pay attention to the feel and color of your dog’s tongue. The tongue can become dry and cracked if it’s out persistently, and depending on the weather it may be vulnerable to frostbite or sunburn. If you notice any injury or irritation, it’s worth getting your dog’s tongue checked by your veterinarian.
If your dog’s tongue is prone to dryness, you can help them by regularly encouraging them to drink. Using a humidifier to ensure their home environment isn’t too dry may also help. If the tongue is cracking, your veterinarian may recommend applying a dog-safe topical treatment to help moisturize it.
Dogs with hanging tongue syndrome caused by trauma or a neurological condition may need more support, for example with eating or drinking, but this will depend on their individual situation.
Dogs whose tongue hangs out due to tooth loss may also benefit from the right type of food. Depending on your dog’s specific situation and preferred method of eating, this may be either wet food, dry food, or soaked dry food. It’s worth trying different options to work out what your dog finds easiest to pick up and eat.
Preventing Hanging Tongue Syndrome in Dogs
Many cases of hanging tongue syndrome in dogs are unavoidable. However, dental disease is one condition which you can help prevent. It’s a good idea to begin proactive dental care from when your dog is a puppy – but it’s never too late to start.
If your dog hasn’t had a dental check-up recently, it’s best to see your vet before introducing toothpaste or brushing. This is because gum disease is usually painful, especially if you touch the affected gums. Trying to introduce brushing when there’s established dental disease can cause significant pain and lead your dog to resist future attempts at brushing.
If your dog’s teeth are healthy and your vet gives you the go ahead, regular brushing (ideally daily) is a great way to target tartar building up and reduce the risk of future tooth extractions – and potentially hanging tongue syndrome.
Breeding dogs with extreme traits like a very flat face can worsen their risk of various health conditions, including hanging tongue syndrome. Adopting or sourcing a puppy from a breeder who prioritizes their dogs’ health can help to encourage the breeding of healthier dogs.
Conclusion
Hanging tongue syndrome is often nothing to be particularly concerned about. If it’s a new development or your dog’s tongue is becoming cracked and damaged, it’s worth speaking to your vet. If not, it might be just one of the unique quirks you love them for.
References
- O’Neill, D.G., Mitchell, C.E., Humphrey, J., Church, D.B., Brodbelt, D.C. and Pegram, C. (2021), Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. J Small Anim Pract, 62: 1051-1061. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13405
