Snuggling with your dog is a great way to relax until their cold, wet nose touches your bare skin. When that happens, snuggling with your canine is no longer fun or relaxing. Why are dogs’ noses wet? Should you be concerned if you notice excessive wetness or dripping? Find out what is normal for your dog’s nose and if their wet nose gives you insight into their overall health.
What Causes a Dog’s Nose to Be Wet?
A dog’s nose has special glands on the inner lining that produce mucus to keep the nasal cavities moist. There is a thin layer of mucus that covers the nostrils and improves the dog’s sense of smell.
Dogs have over 100 million sensory receptors inside their nasal cavities and they can smell 1,000 to 10,000 times better than humans. Scent particles stick to damp surfaces; therefore their damp noses pick up more particles.
A dog’s wet nose also helps them stay cool. Dogs are only able to dissipate heat through panting and their foot pads. However, they can also use their nasal passages as a cooling mechanism; you will notice their nose dripping more when they are hot and panting more.
What is Normal for a Dog’s Nose?
There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about a dog’s nose. Some say that a wet nose means a dog is perfectly healthy, whereas a dry nose means there is a problem. Like people, each dog is different and unique and their nose is not necessarily an indicator of their overall health.
Learn what is normal for your dog, whether that means their nose is wet all the time or they have a drier nose. As dogs age, their noses change and can become rough or crusty. The overall appearance and feel of a dog’s nose will depend on several things including temperature and humidity, hydration, amount of exercise, and even the time of day.
Noses with abnormal redness, soreness, or swelling should be examined by your veterinarian. Excessive licking or exposure to the sun can cause problems for your dog.
When to Worry About a Wet Nose?
Once you know what is normal for your dog’s nose, you will know when something is wrong. Dogs’ noses have a thin layer of mucus over them and are generally damp. When your dog’s nose feels dry, do not immediately jump to the conclusion that they are sick. If you do not notice any other symptoms of canine illness, your dog is probably not sick and does not need to head to the vet.
If you notice other symptoms such as poor appetite, lethargy, and shivering, check to be sure your dog does not have a fever. Fever can cause their nose to dry out and feel warm. Call your veterinarian if you think your dog has a fever.
Dehydration is one of the main causes of dry nose. Make sure there is plenty of fresh water available for them to make sure they are drinking and staying hydrated. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can also cause dehydration and dry nose. Other common health issues can cause changes to your dog’s nose.
Dogs’ Noses Can Become Diseased
Some diseases affect the skin of a dog’s nose. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common type of skin lupus in dogs. There will be open skin lesions across the bridge of the dog’s nose, and the color and texture of their nose will change.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca causes dryness on both sides of the nose with red and painful eyes that may have abnormal drainage. Swelling in their face may also be present. Your dog will require a treatment plan created by your veterinarian.
When Is a Vet Visit Necessary?
You do not want to be a nervous Nelly and run to the vet over every small thing when it comes to your dog. A healthy dog can easily have a warm, dry nose. Note the normal look and feel of your dog’s nose and when it changes, look for other symptoms that might mean your dog is in distress.
A consistently dry, crusty nose can be an annoyance but could also be a normal part of the aging process. You can talk with your vet about creams or medications that can be applied to your dog’s nose to moisten it and remove the crustiness.
If you have questions about your dog’s health, call your veterinarian for advice. If there is any doubt, make an appointment and have your dog checked out so you have peace of mind.
Our dogs are part of our family and we want to make sure they are healthy. Keeping track of their nose health is a good way to start. Remember, though, as dogs age their noses will change and become drier and could form a crusty layer. Several over-the-counter creams can be used but be certain they are safe for dogs to lick.
Do not worry if your dog’s nose is not as wet or cold as you think it should be, monitor them to ensure their overall health has not changed. Seek veterinary assistance if you feel your dog has other symptoms that could mean there is a problem with their health.
