Help! My dog’s nose is dry!
First of all, don’t panic! The close bond between you and your dog can mean even the subtlest change in moisture of their nose is noticed by you. A damp nose is normal, but a dry nose doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong. Just like us, dogs have many body systems that work together to maintain health, and a change in one is not always indicative of overall health status. Fluctuations happen: exercise levels, environmental temperature, excessive licking, dehydration, diet, immune health and age are all factors that can influence a dog’s nose.
Sometimes a dry nose can indicate sickness, but other times an overly wet nose can also indicate sickness. There are a lot of things that veterinarians consider and ask when owners are concerned that their dogs’ nose is dry. Often this is not the primary reason the dog is brought to the vet, but it can be a useful indicator of overall health if other body systems are also a bit out of balance. Questions to ask before you panic include: are they still acting happily and bright, and breathing comfortably? Does their nose otherwise look the same? Is it a sudden change?
Why do dogs have wet noses?
Dogs' noses are super sensitive to smells. They can create a three-dimensional way of establishing the environment around them by what they sniff out. A humid and warm nose helps them trap odours to do this. Being well hydrated, licking their nose, having good tear duct drainage and adequate mucous production all aid in creating an excellent environment for a dog’s nose to get to work.
What is an overly dry nose?
A nose that is overly dry may be a sign of dehydration or lying too close to the heater in winter. But if it has cracks or is bleeding, this can be a sign of an autoimmune disease or allergies. Some dogs are more susceptible to UV radiation, and a dry flaking nose can suggest sunburn, which in some cases can progress to skin cancer.
What is an overly wet nose?
An overly wet and runny nose with discharge ranging from clear to coloured fluid can be a sign that it should be checked by your vet. This can indicate an infection, either from an illness they’ve caught from another dog, or something that is stuck in their nose, like a grass seed. If they’ve had a lot of sneezing or pawing at the nose, you may also notice some blood.
So during each day, it is normal for your dog to experience times of having a drier-than-normal nose. And if you’re concerned, it’s always okay to get your vet to check it out. But the main consideration is if an overly wet or dry nose is out of character for your dog, particularly if it’s accompanied by being generally unwell, more runny than normal, or cracks.
Reference
Kokocińska-Kusiak A, Woszczyło M, Zybala M, Maciocha J, Barłowska K, Dzięcioł M. Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibilities for Practical Applications. Animals (Basel). 2021 Aug 21;11(8)
