If you have a dog, want to adopt a dog, or are just curious, why does the dog sleep with its tongue out? You should read this article.
The dog usually sticks out its tongue while sleeping. Doing this while sleeping has been the subject of research. In this article, we will first answer the question of why a dog sticks out its tongue and then why a dog sleeps with its tongue out. What happens then when the dog’s tongue is out? And What should be done in these cases in the end? We’ll talk about it.
Thermoregulation
The underlying cause is thermoregulation. Thermoregulation is the adaptation of a living being to temperature in the environment and does not raise its temperature above these values and keeps in between certain measures. While muscles, skin, and hair play an active role in thermoregulation in humans, the situation is somewhat different in dogs.
The anatomical and physiological structure of the sweating system of canines is not as complex as in humans. Sweating also happens on the dog’s skin, but since its fur is thick, the secreted sweat cannot evaporate from the fur. Compared to this, sweating occurs in places where the dog’s fur is low. It regulates its body temperature with its tongue, the tips of its nose, and the sweat glands located on its paws.
The Tongue Of A Dog
The tongue of canines is covered by a neural network like humans, but their sense of taste is not as developed as in humans. The tongue structures can also vary according to the breed they have. There is a type of canine that has a blue-colored tongue. Even if this dog is affected by heat stroke, it is not clear that it is sick because of the color of its tongue.
With the warming of the weather in the summer months, canines may experience heat strokes. To get out of this heat, the dog sticks its tongue out. When the tongue is outside, cold air hits the tongue so that saliva does not evaporate. In this way, thermal balance is maintained.
When a puppy is very thirsty, it also sticks out its tongue so that the saliva does not evaporate in the mouth and emit more heat. When you notice such a situation, transport them to a water source.
Sleep In Dogs
Dogs sleep an average of 8-10 hours. This period can be twice as long for a puppy. Sleep duration can also vary between species. It may surprise you that canines sleep for so long. These cute puppies sometimes go through a period of intense sleep after being very bored and sometimes after a very intense workout. Sleep times vary in canines with any health problems. The older ones sleep as much as puppies. Seniors are expected to sleep a lot after joint pain and the activities they do.
Canines with large structures want more freedom space than small ones. The places where they roam freely make them feel comfortable. At the end of the day, they get a restful sleep. If their environment limits their freedom, they may become aggressive. This also affects sleep quality.
Small puppies usually don’t want to be separated from their owners too much. Small areas are enough for them. They do not want to get out of the beds of their owners. These animals can also live in small houses without a garden. If you adopt it as a puppy, the environment in which you live will change the length of the animal’s sleep.
So Why Does A Dog Sleep With Its Tongue Out?
The most basic explanation for this is the feeling of relaxation
Imagine yourself sleeping.
Your bed, the temperature of the room, and the environment you are in are ready for you to have good sleep.
Isn’t it comforting to even think about it?
If everything is ideal for a comfortable sleep, then all that remains is to experience this comfort. And the only thing our puppy does is experience comfort. It can act like us when we experience this comfort.
The most obvious feature of doing this is that it removes its tongue, and then its saliva may also flow.
Many dog breeds don’t need to stick their tongue out while they sleep due to the structure of their tongue. If you see that the dog’s tongue is outside, you should consider that the puppy is very comfortable in its sleep.
When it feels the slightest touch or anything to disturb its comfort, it will make an effort to stick its tongue back in during sleep.
Dogs’ REM Sleep
Dogs have a level of rem during sleep. This level activates the mechanism of deep sleep. As a result of the activation, the dog can take deep breaths by simply releasing its tongue out without many reactions. This image shows how they relax and unwind during sleep. Without knowing these things, the sounds you make while standing in front of your puppies and watching them or any approach to them, cause them to disturb this comfort.
You can do a few applications for the comfort of these animals:
- Adjust the temperature of their environment to make them comfortable. This should not be a temperature that will make them thirsty or sweat.
- Make the place where they will sleep a soft ground.
- When you realize that you are in a dream, if your puppy has relaxed too much and released their bodies, do not correct their positions.
Dog With Tongue Out
Just because the dog’s tongue is outside doesn’t always mean it feels comfortable. By nature, there are canines whose tongue is usually outside. Flat-faced dogs such as French bulldogs, boxers, and pugs have large tongues and do not fit in their mouths due to their genetics. Regardless of whether your puppy is of this type or not, we’ve listed the following situations encountered in the dog with its tongue out:
- Development of infection in dry tongue
- Inability to stand in the mouth due to lack of teeth
- Tongue freezing in freezing weather
- Dehydration
- Sunburns that occur in hot weather
- Use of different drugs
- Poisonings
- Halitosis
- Pale and swollen tongue
Hanging Tongue Syndrome
This syndrome, which is seen as effective in smooth-faced dogs, has emerged in recent years when many people who own pets have become aware of it.
This syndrome is a motor nerve deformation experienced in those with a brachiocephalic structure, who have deterioration in the muscles of the skull and who do not have the structure to control these muscles. The tongue of canines of this nature is constantly outside. Apart from the problems mentioned above, these dogs have a lot of mouth sores, teeth, and gum problems.
Be sure to control the behavior of the dog when its tongue is out!
- Although this animal sticks out its tongue to breathe, regulate thermoregulation, and relax in its sleep, these are not only typical movements.
- Dogs can also stick out their tongue when they are stressed. Because stress increases body temperature.
- If the medication used increases heart rhythms, the body may want to protect itself. Therefore, the tongue can go out.
- When these animals have serious illnesses, they can’t control their bodies. They can get stuck in an instant.
- If the dog’s body trembles while sleeping, it may be having seizures.
- If its eyes are fully open, purring, and not responding to reactions, it may be having seizures.
Even if a dog sticks its tongue out while sleeping, this should be investigated regardless of your puppy’s breed. When you encounter these situations, take notes and share them with your veterinarian.
Apart from what you need to do for your dog’s comfortable sleep, a few steps can be taken to help your puppy regulate its body temperature and quench its thirst.
- In hot weather, be sure to leave clean water in front of them.
- Put the puppy in a suitable water source for them to cool down. Swimming will be good.
- You can cover it with a wet blanket.
- Pay attention to oral care. Non-evaporating air stays in the mouth, causing odor.
- Adjust the temperature of the environment in cold weather, and put something warm in front of them.
- In hot weather, leave them in front of the air conditioner or fan to cool down.
As a result of this information
The main reason why the dog sleeps with its tongue out is the feeling of relaxation. We talked about the reason why its tongue is out of sleep and what to do in these situations. They may need regular check-ups to help your dog relax in his sleep and to breathe comfortably during the day and not encounter health problems. The temperature of their environment and dehydration should also be on this checklist and should be arranged if necessary. It will be the most relaxing feeling for them to stay in touch with your vet, who will help you the most here.
