My dog licks his lips a lot. How come they never seem to get chapped? - Ask Scarlett

Ranger Rick, July, 1997

Dogs don't have lips quite like yours. The skin on your lips is different from the rest of your skin. Dry air sucks the moisture out of them quickly. That makes them feel rough and sore. And, believe it or not, licking your dry lips doesn't help. It just irritates them. Dog "lips" have tougher skin.

They're also protected naturally by hairs and by skin oils. So although dogs lick their chops a lot, they can't lick away all that protection.

COPYRIGHT 1997 National Wildlife Federation
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

 

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