- Eating and drinking: A dog's mouth is used to ingest food and water. Their teeth and tongue help them to break down food and mix it with saliva, which aids in digestion.
- Smell: A dog's sense of smell is incredibly strong, and their mouths play an important role in this. Dogs can identify scents by sniffing the air and drawing it into their mouths, where the olfactory cells located on the roof of their mouths can detect the different chemicals present.
- Taste: Dogs also have taste buds on their tongues, allowing them to taste different flavors. However, their sense of taste is not as well-developed as their sense of smell.
- Communication: Dogs use their mouths to communicate with each other and with humans. They may bark, growl, whine, or howl to express their emotions or intentions.
- Comfort: Dogs may use their mouths to suck on objects for comfort or to relieve stress. This behavior is often seen in puppies, but some adult dogs may also do it.
- Grooming: Dogs use their mouths to groom themselves and each other. They may lick their fur to remove dirt and debris, and they may also nibble on each other's coats to help them stay clean and healthy.