Do Dogs Have Lips?

If you’ve ever wondered if your dog has lips, we can assure you that they do. In fact, all mammals have lippies. You might not think about it much when you’re petting your pup’s velvety mouth, but the skin that covers the lips is actually their second layer of skin (the first layer being the epidermis).

In dogs, the lips are divided into three parts: the upper lip, the lower lip and the commissure.The upper lip contains sweat glands that allow dogs to cool themselves through evaporative cooling (much like sweating). Sweat also contains pheromones, chemicals that may be involved in communication. The lower l ip contains vibrissae (whiskers) and taste buds.

The commissure is located where the two lips meet, and is of particular importance because it houses some dog’s Jacobson’s Organ. In humans, our Jacobson’s Organ is used to detect pheromones sent out by other humans (usually during flirting). In dogs, the Jacobson’s Organ is thought to play a role in communicating with other dogs.

The skin of the lips is susceptible to dryness because there are no oil glands in this area. To help combat this problem, you can apply a light coat of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to your dog’s lips after bathing or before bedtime. This will help keep moisture in, and prevent “cracking” or bleeding around the edges and corners of the mouth. If your dog has persistently dry lips (despite repeated applications of petroleum jelly), it may be an indication that he has ingested something poisonous or if he’s suffering from an allergic reaction.

The lips may also be unusually itchy if your dog isn’t getting enough to eat.The lips are also vulnerable to frostbite when the surrounding skin gets too cold. If you notice your dog’s mouth has become pale, but his facial skin is warm and dry, this could mean that he’s experiencing frostbite in his mouth. The first step in treating this condition is to gently warm the lip area with a hand warmer or a hot water bottle until the lips look pink (not red).
If you see any ice on the lips, use an e-collar to gently wipe it away. Next, apply a thin coat of Neosporin to the lips. If you dog is still uncomfortable, try wrapping his lip area in gauze moistened with warm water. If the frostbite doesn’t get better within 16-24 hours, you should contact your veterinarian for further treatment.