A lot of dog owners don't really pay attention to their dog's noses. So, they don't really know whether their dog should have a wet or dry nose. Well, here's the truth.
A majority of dog owners will say that if a dog’s nose is cold or wet, it’s a sign of a healthy animal. But, at the same time, they’ll also believe that a dry nose indicates a sick dog. While there are reasons behind why dogs have a wet nose, is a dry nose really a sign of a sick dog?
Before discussing whether it’s a sick dog or it’s nothing to worry about, it’s vital for dog owners to know why dogs have wet noses?
Why Do Dogs Have A Wet Nose?
While many people think that a wet nose indicates a healthy dog, they don’t know why dogs have wet noses. It’s quite simple. A wet nose works better!
Your canine friend is incredibly reliant on their sense of smell. Dogs rely on their smell a lot more to interact with the world around them. When the nose is moist, scent particles will stick better.
A wet nose also helps the dog remain cool on hot days. It works similarly to how they pant to regulate body temperature.
How Do Dogs Keep Their Nose Wet?
A dog’s nose has a mucus-producing gland in the lining. These glands are responsible for keeping the nasal passageways moist. Aside from that, the mucus-producing glands produce a clear and watery fluid that helps keep the nose cool.
Aside from that, dogs are pretty smart and lick their noses regularly to keep them clean. When you use your nose to interact with most things, it’s highly likely that you’ll get some sort of irritants up there.
Another reason why dogs lick their nose is that they interpret the smell through their taste as well!
Is A Dry Dog Nose Concerning?
Most of the time, a dog’s dry nose isn’t any reason for concern. However, certain dog breeds and individuals dogs may just naturally have a drier nose than others.
Aside from that, a dog’s nose could be dry because of the weather. For example, if it’s too hot or the dog decides to take a nap in front of the heater, they can have a dry nose. If you notice this, all you need to do is give your dog some water as they’re slightly dehydrated.
Other dogs may develop a warm, dry nose as they age. You shouldn’t take the temperature of a dog’s nose as an accurate measurement of their body temperature. There’s no need to start worrying if your dog has a warm, dry nose, but they’re acting like they usually.
You’re also more likely to notice that your dog has a dry nose during the winter seasons. Just like humans, the flow of warm air from heating vents can have a drying effect.
However, sometimes it’s definitely possible that a dog’s dry nose can be a side effect of a medical issue. Here are some things that you need to keep an eye out for:
Severe Dehydration
Dog’s can suffer from dehydration because of the heat, just like everyone else. A dry nose can be a symptom of slight dehydration, or it might appear along with other symptoms of severe dehydration. These symptoms might include dry gums, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of skin elasticity, and sunken eyes.
If your pal is exhibiting these symptoms, then you should provide them with water immediately. It’s always best to take your dog to a medical professional if you’re worried about them suffering from severe dehydration.
Skin Disorder
A regular dry nose is not a cause for concern. However, if your dog's nose features cracks, scabs, or sores, then it might be an indication that they’re suffering from a skin disorder. If you feel like your dog is suffering from a skin disorder, you should take them to the vet.
Sunburn
When the sun’s out, it’s important to ensure that your dog has access to some sort of shade. Otherwise, they might potentially suffer from sunburn. A dry, red nose or flaky skin are certain indicators that your dog is suffering from sunburn.
Some dogs are more susceptible to getting a sunburn than others, so it’s a good idea to ask your vet about special lotion that can help protect your dog.
Dogs that have pink noses are more susceptible to suffering from sunburn. It’s important to protect their snouts because repeated cases of sunburn could potentially lead to skin cancer.
Allergies
Like humans, dogs can also suffer from allergies. One of the most common symptoms of an allergy is a dry nose. You should discuss with your vet to get behind the cause of the allergy and get allergy medicine to help provide your dog with relief.
What If My Dog Has A Runny Nose?
Anytime you’re examining a dog’s nose, it’s a good idea to examine any nasal discharge. If the dog’s nose becomes runny, the mucus needs to be clear. A dog’s nose should not have bubbly, thick, yellow, green, or black mucus.
While a wet nose is definitely normal, a runny nose is an indication that there’s a health issue with your dog. Excessive nasal discharge can be a symptom of a serious issue like an upper respiratory infection.
If your dog is suffering from excessive nasal discharge or is discharging oddly colored mucus, you should take your dog to a wet.
Wrapping Up
Both a wet nose and dry nose or something that dogs will commonly go through without there being any issue. A dog’s nose is usually wet because they feature special glands that keep the noise moist, and they lick their noses pretty regularly themselves.
A dry nose shouldn’t suddenly make you worry as it’s usually nothing. However, sometimes a dry nose in combination with several other symptoms can indicate a more serious problem.
Learning more about your dog’s anatomy can help you grow as a dog owner. For example, now you’ll know when to worry about your dog's nose and when to just let them sniff away!
