What your dog's tongue is trying to tell you

A characteristic feature of many dogs is their big, floppy pink tongue. Whether it’s lolling out of their mouth when playing, giving you a lick for more attention, or being used to wipe their dinner plate clean, a dog’s tongue is an incredibly important organ.

The colour and appearance of your dog’s tongue can give away valuable information about how they're feeling. We’re going to explore dog tongues in detail, including how they work, and what warning signs to look out for. Read on to find out more.

The anatomy of a dog’s tongue (how it works)

A dog’s tongue is made up of skeletal muscle, which allows it to move and change shape. It's covered in something called papillae that lines its surface, helping dogs to grasp their food, as well as taste it.

The tongue also contains blood vessels that not only supply this organ with oxygen and nutrients but also help your tailmate with temperature control. Who knew it could do so much?

Here's everything your dog's tongue does and how it works:

• Communication: A wide smiling mouth, with a loose floppy tongue, means your pet is relaxed and happy. But dogs will also lick with their tongues when trying to communicate, perhaps when nervous, seeking attention, or being submissive.

• Drinking and eating: The tongue is a muscular organ, tethered at one end towards the back of the throat. The mobile tongue tip curls when a dog drinks, scooping up water and drawing it backwards into their mouth. In short: it's a reason why your dog is so good at eating and drinking!

• Grooming: Dogs have a much more mobile tongue than some other species. This can help when grooming themselves and their puppies.

• Taste: Dogs may only have 1700 tastebuds, compared to up to 10,000 that some humans can have, but they have some very specialised ones that can help them taste water! Thankfully, dogs make up for their relative lack of tastebuds with their incredible nose.

• Thermoregulation: One of the main ways a dog controls their body temperature is through panting. Air is continually drawn over the tongue to encourage evaporation of moisture and allow heat to escape from the bloodstream.

Dog tongue colours: what they mean

If you notice any colour changes on your dog’s tongue, then I'd recommend a trip to the vets. Our tongue colour chart explains more:

Note: if your dog’s tongue has changed colour, then other mucous membranes will often do too, including the gums. These may be easier to assess than the tongue in some dogs.

Bumps, spots, and texture changes

As well as colour changes, the tongue can run into a few other issues too.

Cancer

Cancer can affect the tongue and other soft tissues in the mouth. For example, a lump or area of irregular texture and thickening could indicate a tumour. These can sometimes bleed or become infected, leading to bad breath.

Your vet will need to perform diagnostics to determine if a lump is malignant or benign.

Deposits

Calcium deposits in the tongue may appear as small white bumps. Known as calcinosis circumscripta, these can sometimes be hereditary or due to trauma. But in some dogs, abnormal blood calcium levels can be to blame, which need addressing.

Dry tongue

A dry, crusty tongue can occur it doesn't stay in a dog's mouth properly. This is common in brachycephalic breeds with tooth loss. A dry tongue could also indicate dehydration.

Ulcers

Ulcers on the tongue could occur for a few different reasons. Licking an irritating chemical, like bleach, could cause burns and ulceration to the delicate tissue of the tongue.

Electrical burns can cause ulcers too. Some health conditions, like chronic kidney disease, can also lead to tongue ulceration.

Viral infection

The canine papilloma virus can cause white raised spots on your dog’s tongue. Common in young dogs, this virus causes benign wart-like growths, which usually resolve within a couple of months.

Dog tongue temperature: what do cold vs. warm tongues mean?

A warm tongue on a dog is completely normal. The tongue is highly vascular, meaning it has good blood supply.

But a hot tongue could be a sign of overheating. The blood vessels in your dog’s tongue dilate to allow heat to escape, and they may be panting excessively too. If your dog is showing signs of heatstroke, get them in the shade and soak their fur with cool water immediately, before calling a vet.

A cold tongue could indicate body temperature has dropped too low. Compromised blood supply may also make it feel cold, which can occur in shock and blood loss.

Behavioural clues: why is your dog licking everything?

If your tailmate has started licking things excessively, this could be due to issues like anxiety. Some pets may do this to self-soothe or distract themselves from other issues.

Nausea can also cause some dogs to lick more. Lip licking is common in dogs that are feeling a bit sick.

It's essential to get any new behaviours checked out by your vet.

When to see a vet immediately (red flags)

If you notice any of the following changes or injuries to your dog’s tongue, then you must see a vet immediately:

• A large or bleeding wound: This may require surgical repair.

• A foreign body: Foreign material embedded in the tongue, such as a hook, wire, or a piece of bone, will be painful and can lead to infection.

• Colour changes: Bright red, yellow-tinged, blue and purple tongues are all indicators of some pretty serious health problems that will need immediate intervention.

• Reduced tongue movement: Nerve supply to your pet's tongue may be damaged, leading to issues with drinking and swallowing. Infection and injury can also cause movement changes.

• Ulcers or sores: Your pet may have contacted a chemical irritant or have a serious underlying health condition.