Table of Contents
Watching a senior dog lick the air can feel baffling. There is no food, no water, nothing obvious on their lips, yet the tongue keeps flicking out as if they are tasting something you cannot see. Sometimes it is brief and occasional. Other times it becomes repetitive or intense, and that is when many owners start to wonder if something is wrong.
Air-licking is not a diagnosis. It is a behavior that can show up for a wide range of reasons, from mild nausea to dental pain to neurologic events. And because senior dogs are more likely to have multiple issues at once, it is worth treating persistent air-licking as a clue, not a quirk.
Always check with your dog’s veterinarian, especially if the behavior is new, escalating, or paired with any other change (appetite, energy, breathing, vomiting, confusion, balance, or sleep). This article is educational and cannot replace a hands-on exam.
What “air-licking” can look like (and why the details matter)
Dogs lick for normal reasons: taste, grooming, anticipation, stress relief. “Air-licking” usually means licking motions that seem disconnected from a clear target. It may show up as:
- Repeated tongue flicks toward the air
- Lip licking plus frequent swallowing
- Licking at “nothing” while staring into space
- Air snapping or “fly biting” (snapping at invisible specks), sometimes with licking
- Episodes that happen at specific times (after meals, at night, during car rides)
Those patterns matter because they can point you toward likely causes. For example, episodes that cluster after eating can suggest reflux or stomach discomfort, while brief “trance-like” spells with air snapping can raise different concerns.
Common causes in senior dogs
Below are some of the more common categories veterinarians consider. Many overlap, and more than one can be true at the same time.
Nausea, reflux, or other gastrointestinal discomfort
One of the most common explanations for frequent lip licking and air-licking is nausea or upper gastrointestinal irritation. Dogs may lick and swallow to manage excess saliva or throat discomfort.
Some dogs with repetitive licking behaviors also show “fly biting,” and veterinary specialists have noted that upper GI disease can appear alongside these signs, even when the neurologic exam is otherwise normal.
What you might notice alongside it:
- Swallowing more than usual
- Burping, lip smacking, drooling
- Gulping, licking floors, eating grass
- Restlessness at night or after meals
- Reduced appetite or picky eating
Research limitations to know:
- For “fly biting” type behaviors, the exact relationship between gastrointestinal disease and neurologic causes is still debated. Some cases respond to GI treatment; others do not. Articles discussing newer thinking note that digestive disease may be involved in some dogs previously assumed to have seizures.
Because nausea can be caused by many problems in senior dogs, including pancreatitis, kidney disease, liver disease, medication side effects, dietary intolerance, and more, a veterinarian is the safest next step.
Dental disease or oral pain
Senior dogs commonly develop:
- Periodontal disease
- Tooth root infections
- Broken teeth
- Oral masses
Oral discomfort can trigger licking (including air-licking) because the dog is trying to soothe irritation or pain. Sometimes the only clue is “odd mouth behavior” long before you see swelling or smell bad breath.
What you might notice:
- Chewing on one side
- Dropping kibble, eating slower, preferring soft food
- Pawing at the mouth
- Bad breath, bleeding gums, facial swelling
A veterinary oral exam (sometimes with dental X-rays) is often needed to catch painful tooth root problems that are not visible from the outside.
Anxiety, stress, or a compulsive pattern
Lip licking can be a stress signal, and some dogs lick repetitively when anxious or overstimulated. In seniors, new repetitive behaviors can still be anxiety-related, but it is especially important to rule out medical drivers first.
What you might notice:
- Air-licking during triggers (guests, loud sounds, car rides)
- Pacing, panting, clinginess
- Increased reactivity or restlessness
If it becomes a habit, it can start to look “compulsive,” but many veterinary behavior resources emphasize that underlying medical issues and brain health can contribute to behavior changes.
Cognitive dysfunction and age-related brain changes
Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome is an age-related condition associated with brain changes and behavior shifts. It is often compared to Alzheimer-like changes in humans, and it can include repetitive behaviors, altered sleep, confusion, and changes in social interaction.
What you might notice:
- Getting “stuck” in corners, staring at walls
- Night waking, wandering, vocalizing
- New house soiling
- Changes in recognition or responsiveness
Important nuance:
- Cognitive dysfunction is usually a diagnosis made after ruling out other medical problems that can mimic these signs in a senior dog.
Neurologic causes, including focal seizures and “fly biting”
Some dogs that air lick, air snap, or “bite at flies” may be having focal seizures. Veterinary sources describe fly biting as potentially linked to focal seizure activity, and treatment response can help support the diagnosis in some cases.
What you might notice:
- Sudden episodes with a fixed stare
- Jaw chattering, facial twitching
- Repetitive snapping, licking, swallowing
- Brief spells where your dog seems “not fully present”
- Episodes that repeat in a similar pattern
Research limitations to know:
- Not all fly biting is seizures. As mentioned earlier, some dogs improve when gastrointestinal disease is treated, which is why veterinarians may investigate both neurologic and GI angles.
If you can safely record a video of an episode, it can be extremely helpful for your veterinarian.
Allergies, irritation, or odd tastes and smells
Sometimes the cause is simpler:
- Skin allergies causing facial itching
- Irritation from grooming products
- Something stuck in the lips or teeth
- Strong household scents that your dog finds stimulating or aversive
What you might notice:
- Face rubbing, paw licking, itchy skin
- Redness around lips or muzzle
- Episodes tied to specific rooms, cleaners, candles, or perfumes
Still, if air-licking is persistent in a senior dog, do not assume it is just “a smell thing” until your vet rules out pain and illness.
When air-licking is urgent
Seek veterinary care promptly (same day or emergency) if air-licking happens with any of the following:
- Repeated vomiting, bloated belly, unproductive retching
- Collapse, severe weakness, or trouble breathing
- A seizure (whole-body shaking, loss of consciousness) or repeated neurologic episodes
- Pale gums, severe lethargy, or obvious pain
- Suspected toxin exposure or foreign object ingestion
- Rapid behavior changes in a senior dog (confusion, disorientation, inability to settle)
If you are unsure, call your veterinary clinic for triage guidance.
What you can do at home today (before the vet visit)
These steps are meant to support good observation and reduce risk, not to replace veterinary care.
Track patterns like a detective, not a judge
Write down:
- When it happens (after meals, at night, after treats, during stress)
- How long it lasts
- What it looks like (licking only, licking plus swallowing, snapping, staring)
- Anything that stops it or worsens it
- Other changes (appetite, stool, thirst, weight, breath, sleep)
A clear timeline helps your veterinarian move faster.
Take a short video if it is safe
A 20 to 60 second video can help your vet distinguish nausea behaviors from neurologic episodes. Do not get in your dog’s face if they are distressed.
Do a gentle mouth check only if your dog allows it
Look for obvious issues:
- Bleeding gums
- Broken tooth
- Strong odor
- A string, hair, or debris caught in teeth
Do not pry or force the mouth open. Painful dogs can bite even if they are normally gentle.
Avoid “quick fixes” that can muddy the picture
- Do not give human nausea meds, antacids, pain relievers, or supplements without veterinary approval. Many are unsafe for dogs or interact with other medications.
- Avoid suddenly changing diets repeatedly. It can complicate GI symptoms and make it harder to interpret what is going on.
What your veterinarian may check (and why)
Depending on your dog’s age, history, and symptoms, your vet may recommend:
- Full physical exam, including oral exam for dental pain
- Bloodwork and urinalysis to screen for common senior-dog illnesses
- Abdominal imaging if nausea, pain, or reflux is suspected
- Diet trial or GI medications if signs point to stomach or esophageal discomfort
- Neurologic exam and discussion of seizure patterns
- Behavior and cognitive screening if other age-related changes are present
If cognitive dysfunction is a concern, your veterinarian may also talk about environmental support, routines, and options that can reduce anxiety and improve sleep, while still looking for treatable medical contributors.
Practical ways to help while you wait for answers
These are supportive strategies you can ask your vet about, based on the likely category.
If nausea or reflux seems likely
Ask your veterinarian whether meal timing and diet adjustments make sense, and whether a medical workup is needed first. Patterns like nighttime restlessness, licking, swallowing, and post-meal episodes can be relevant.
If stress triggers it
Focus on reducing predictable stressors:
- Quiet space, consistent routine
- Gentle enrichment (sniff walks, food puzzles)
- Avoid punishing the behavior; it increases stress and can worsen it
Because behavior changes in older dogs can be linked to medical issues, do not label it “just anxiety” without a vet check, especially if it is new.
If episodes look neurologic
Keep a log of episode frequency and duration, and bring video. Discuss focal seizures and other possibilities with your vet.
If cognitive dysfunction is suspected
Ask your vet about screening and ways to support sleep-wake cycles, reduce confusion, and manage anxiety. Age-related cognitive conditions are discussed in veterinary literature as progressive and requiring a management approach rather than a single cure.
A clear, safe “next step” plan
If your senior dog is licking the air occasionally and otherwise seems normal, you can start with observation, pattern tracking, and scheduling a routine vet visit.
If it is frequent, worsening, or paired with any other change, book a veterinary appointment sooner rather than later. Senior dogs have less physiological “wiggle room,” and subtle behaviors sometimes show up before bigger symptoms.
And if you are ever on the fence, the best default is simple: call your dog’s veterinarian.
Sources
- MSPCA-Angell: discussion of excessive licking, star gazing, and fly biting with upper GI disease considerations. (MSPCA-Angell)
- VCA Animal Hospitals: focal seizures and fly biting in dogs, treatment overview. (Vca)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: overview of behavior problems, anxiety-related behaviors, and contributing factors. (Merck Veterinary Manual)
- American Journal of Veterinary Research (AVMA Journals): overview of canine cognitive dysfunction and similarities to Alzheimer disease features. (AVMA Journals)
- Today’s Veterinary Nurse (peer-reviewed PDF): cognitive dysfunction syndrome overview and management context. (Today's Veterinary Nurse)
- PetMD: lip licking as a possible signal of stress or nausea. (PetMD)
- PetMD: cognitive dysfunction overview and diagnostic approach in senior dogs. (PetMD)
- PetMD Daily Vet Blog: discussion of fly biting as seizure vs digestive disorder and evolving understanding. (PetMD)