Dogs are amazing creatures, and their tongues are far more than just tools for licking faces. While we humans use our tongues primarily for speaking, eating, and tasting, dogs rely on theirs for a much broader range of tasks. From communication to grooming to cooling down, here are 10 incredible ways dogs use their tongues that humans don’t.
Cooling Themselves Down
Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat through their skin. Instead, they pant to regulate their body temperature, and their tongues play a crucial role in this. As a dog pants, moisture evaporates from its tongue, mouth, and lungs, helping to cool the blood and, in turn, the entire body.
Grooming Themselves and Others
Dogs use their tongues as natural grooming tools. You’ve probably seen a dog lick its paws or fur to clean itself. They’ll also groom other dogs—or even their human companions—as a sign of affection and bonding.
Tasting in a Different Way
Dogs have far fewer taste buds than humans—around 1,700 compared to our 9,000—but they can taste things we can’t. They are particularly sensitive to the taste of water, and their tongues are uniquely designed to lap it up efficiently without needing suction.
Exploring the World
Puppies especially use their tongues to explore. Much like a baby might put things in its mouth, dogs lick objects to gather sensory information. It’s how they learn about their environment and what’s safe or interesting.
Healing Wounds
Dogs instinctively lick their wounds, and for good reason. Their saliva contains enzymes and antibacterial properties that help clean minor cuts and promote healing. While excessive licking can cause irritation, moderate licking can actually be beneficial.
Expressing Submission or Respect
In dog language, licking can signal submission or respect to a more dominant member of the pack. You might see a dog licking another dog’s muzzle—or even your hand—as a form of deference or greeting. This behavior is rooted in their ancestral pack instincts, where lower-ranking dogs would lick higher-ranking ones to reinforce social bonds and avoid conflict.
Motherly Care
Mother dogs use their tongues to stimulate their puppies to breathe right after birth. They also lick their puppies to clean them and encourage urination and defecation, helping keep the nest clean during the early days of life.
Tasting the Air
Dogs don’t just use their noses to sniff—they also use their tongues. By flicking their tongue against a special organ in the roof of their mouth (the Jacobson’s organ), they can “taste-smell” scents in a way that humans can’t.
Eating Without Chewing Much
Dogs often gulp food rather than chew it thoroughly. Their tongues help push food to the back of the throat and guide it down quickly. This is especially true in wild canines that needed to eat fast to avoid losing food to competitors.
Showing Affection
Perhaps the most heartwarming use of a dog’s tongue is its way of showing love. A lick to the face or hand is a common canine way of expressing affection and bonding with their humans.
Please Note: This content was created with the assistance of AI and thoroughly edited by a human before publishing.
