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A dog’s nose is incredible. Not only are they super powerful and excellent for navigating their environment, they can also signal to their owner whether they are in a state of good health or not.
A wet nose is known to be a sign of canine health, and when a dog’s nose becomes dry it can indicate that they’ve got something going on internally that needs to be checked out.
We know that the health of their dog is the highest priority for any pet parents, so we are here to offer some insight into why dogs have wet noses and what it can mean if your dog’s nose is dry, so you can get them checked out and get back to booping their super cute snoot!
Canine noses are wet for several reasons, but how many of us actually know what those reasons are and the science behind them? Here is a closer look at why dogs have wet noses and how this benefits them in daily life:
We all know that dogs have an extremely keen sense of smell which allows them to navigate the world around them in a way we could only ever imagine. Believe it or not, a wet nose is much better for smelling! This works by way of a thin mucosal layer which covers a dog’s nose, allowing the tissues to identify and latch onto exciting scents.
Once your dog has sniffed out a good scent, they will then lick their nose, which allows the scent to travel to the vomeronasal organ, or Jacobsen’s organ, as well as cleaning off any old scents from their nose and preparing it for their next sniff fest!
A dog can only sweat through their paws, meaning they need other ways to keep themselves cool, particularly during the summer months. This is often expressed through panting which evaporates the moisture from inside their tongues, as well as inside their nasal passageways and lungs; the nose creates clear, watery mucus to help with this cooling process.
When a dog’s nose is dry, it can be an indicator that something is amiss internally that needs your attention. This symptom should never be ignored, as dogs need wet noses for optimum daily functioning.
Here are some of the most common reasons why your dog has a dry nose:
Getting older can naturally cause a dog’s nose to dry out - this sometimes happens in more senior dogs, and they may need a little more help with keeping their noses moist. Making sure they are getting plenty of water will help with this, and you may even want to consider investing in a dog-safe nose balm to help maintain moisture.
Similar to how humans' lips and skin get dry when they haven’t had enough water, dogs can be the same. If a dog is dehydrated their body isn’t receiving enough moisture, so naturally parts of their body that would usually stay damp will suffer because of this. Excessive activity and exercise, particularly in warmer temperatures, can also lead to dehydration, sometimes caused by the serious condition heatstroke, which can be very dangerous for dogs.
Dehydration can also occur if your dog has been poorly, such as if they have been regularly vomiting or having diarrhea. Excessive panting can also contribute to dehydration - panting behaviors may become more present if your dog is distressed or anxious.
A change in weather or temperature can also be a factor in why your dog’s nose is dry. The heat will naturally evaporate moisture quicker, leading to a dry nose from either this or dehydration.
Sunburn can also affect your dog’s nose and dry it out, which is why it is important to keep your dog in the shade as much as possible and only walk them outside in the coolest parts of the day. Colder weather, particularly snow and sharp winds, can chap a dog’s nose the way it would human lips or hands.
While your pup sleeps they won;t be licking their nose regularly like they would do whilst awake, and so pups who are recently post-nap may have a slightly dryer nose than that of those who persevered without a siesta.
Dogs can suffer from allergies just like humans can, and these can contribute to a dryer than desired puppy nose. Allergies can be any number of things, from seasonal allergies and environmental elements such as pollen and dust, or they could be struggling with flea, food or household product allergies.
Keep a close eye out for additional allergy symptoms such as itching, coughing, sneezing, as well as more severe reactions such as swelling and difficulty breathing.
A dog’s tear ducts help to lubricate both their eyes and nose, and so if there is an issue with these ducts it can affect the moistness of both.
Luckily, there are some clear symptoms which will indicate that your dog is suffering from blocked tear ducts; this issue will often present itself through red eyes that are watery and excreting a thick discharge - and the liquid from the eyes will likely run down your dog’s face.
Short-nosed breeds, also known as Brachycephalic breeds, tend to struggle to lick their noses due to their shorter snouts, and therefore may need additional assistance in keeping their noses moist.
Common breeds that are affected by this include Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzus and English and French bulldogs.
A less common but still possible cause of a dry nose in dogs can be an underlying autoimmune disease, such as Discoid Lupus. Not only can this make a dog's nose dry, it can change its color from black to pink and affect the texture of the nose skin, causing it to crack and even bleed.
If you notice that your dog is suffering from a dry nose, it is always recommended that you consult your vet to rule out any underlying causes. They will be able to test for certain health conditions that may have otherwise gone undetected and be able to offer guidance on the best course of treatment or things you can do at home to help get your dog’s nose back to how it should be.
Always make sure that your dog has access to fresh clean water and that this is refilled regularly so that they never run out. Applying a warm, moist cloth to their nose and then rubbing in some dog-safe nose balm, coconut oil or petroleum jelly are all great options to help keep your dog’s nose moist if they are struggling to do so themselves.
It can be alarming if you notice your dog’s nose isn’t moist like it normally is, but rest assured that while a dry nose should never be ignored, it is not always a sign of a medical emergency.
It is always advised to seek professional guidance if your dog’s nose is dry, just to rule out any underlying causes and get some further advice. It is important to keep an eye out for accompanying symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, a fever or increased body temperature, excessive nasal mucus, discolored gums or vomiting, as these can indicate that something more serious is going on.
The key to any ailment is to catch it quickly, and so the sooner you get your pup checked out by the vet, the quicker you will get answers and a treatment plan, whether your pup just needs more water and a dab of nose balm or further medical treatment.
Our pups need a wet snoot in order to keep their sniffing skills in perfect knick, and so maintaining an appropriate level of nasal moisture should always be a priority.
A dry nose on a dog should always be taken seriously, and if you notice this to be a persistent problem that doesn’t go away with better hydration, manual nose moistening or is accompanied by further symptoms, veterinary intervention is always the best course of action.
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