Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog of the Day:
Gus!

Meme of the day: We would!

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The Only Insurance That Can Make You Richer
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You’ll find the step-by-step breakdown in this free guide.
It's simple, fast to read, and made for regular, at-home investors…
And today, it’s totally free -- but won’t be for long.
What's Up With That Tongue? Decoding Why Your Dog Licks the Air
It’s a curious behavior that all dog owners have witnessed: your beloved companion suddenly flicks their tongue out in a quick, enthusiastic lick... of seemingly nothing at all! It looks like they're trying to taste the invisible air, and you're left scratching your head.
While it might seem like a goofy habit, a dog licking the air is actually a fascinating and important piece of canine communication. Most of the time, it's a completely normal (and sometimes adorable) quirk, but in other cases, it can be a subtle sign that your pup is trying to tell you something.

The Sensory Scientist: Enhancing Their World
Dogs experience the world primarily through their nose, and a quick air lick is often a sign they are busy investigating a fascinating scent.
The Vomeronasal Organ
This is the coolest reason! Dogs have a special sensory tool called the vomeronasal organ (or Jacobson's organ) located on the roof of their mouth. This organ is designed to detect non-volatile scents, like pheromones, which are chemical signals left by other animals. By licking the air, they transfer scent particles to this organ, essentially allowing them to "taste" the smell and get a deeper understanding of their environment. Think of it as your dog's way of reading a highly detailed social media post from another dog!
Anticipation and Excitement
Is your dog air-licking while you prepare their dinner? Or maybe when you grab the leash for a walk? This is often a sign of pure happiness and anticipation! Their brain is already anticipating the delicious food or the fun adventure, and the licking is simply an outward manifestation of that excitement. It can also happen when they've just enjoyed a particularly good scratch or cuddle session—a little "air kiss" of pure bliss.
The Sensitive Soul: Body Language and Anxiety
Not all air licking is a sign of delight. Sometimes, it is a way your dog communicates their emotional state to you or other dogs.
Stress and Anxiety
When a dog is feeling anxious, worried, or stressed, a quick air lick can be a "calming signal" or an appeasement behavior. They might display this when they feel nervous, such as in a new environment (like the vet's office), during a confrontation, or when they feel you are being stern. This lick is a way of saying, "I understand you are in charge, and I mean no harm."
Look for other stress signs like lip-licking, a tucked tail, pinned-back ears, yawning, or a half-moon eye (showing the whites of their eyes).
The Health Check: When to Pay Closer Attention
While the reasons above are typically harmless, a frequent or repetitive air lick can sometimes signal an underlying health issue that needs a veterinarian's attention.
Nausea or Gastrointestinal Discomfort
If your dog is feeling an upset stomach, nausea, or acid reflux, they may lick the air or their lips repeatedly. This behavior is thought to stimulate saliva production, which can help soothe an irritated digestive tract. If the licking is accompanied by vomiting, decreased appetite, or diarrhea, it’s a clear sign to call your vet.
Dental Pain or Foreign Objects
A loose, painful, or decaying tooth, or even a piece of food or a splinter stuck in their mouth, can trigger a dog to lick the air repeatedly as they try to dislodge the irritant or soothe the pain. Poor dental health is very common in dogs, so if the air licking is persistent, a dental check-up is a great first step.
Compulsive Behavior or Seizures
In rare instances, excessive or frantic air licking that is difficult to interrupt can be a sign of a compulsive disorder, or even a very subtle neurological issue like a focal seizure. If the behavior is new, happens suddenly, or seems like your dog can’t control it, it’s time for a professional medical consultation.
When Should I Talk to My Vet?
Occasional air licking that is clearly linked to a wonderful scent, food, or a good belly rub is no cause for concern—it’s just your dog being a dog!
However, if you notice the air licking is:
Persistent and repetitive, or hard to interrupt.
Accompanied by other signs of distress (pacing, shaking, drooling, or vomiting).
A sudden new behavior for your dog.
Then it’s best to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Being observant of these little quirks is one of the best ways we can care for our dogs and ensure their happy, healthy lives!
Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Viva - Ground Beef for Dogs and Ground Chicken for Dogs and Cats for potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination.
Savage Pet - Cat Food Chicken for potential bird flu exposure.
Wild Coast Raw - Frozen Boneless Free-Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats, for possible bird flu exposure.
The Smile Section
Family Photo of the Day:
Heidi!

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Meme of the day: @itsatlasthegolden