Does a Warm, Dry Nose Mean My Dog Is Sick?
No, a dry or warm nose alone is not an indication of poor health. This is a myth. While the origins of this saying are unknown, some believe it came from a time before widespread dog vaccination, when Distemper was more common in pet dogs. One of the symptoms of this deadly disease is hyperkeratosis, in which the nose and paw pads become thickened.
Here are some reasons why a dog may have a warm or dry nose…
The most common “normal” condition for a dogs nose is damp (wet, not dripping or running) and cold or cool to the touch. However, there are exceptions. The most important thing as a dog owner is knowing what’s normal for YOUR dog.
If your pup’s nose is normally cold, but suddenly it’s warm and dry and your pup isn’t acting like their normal self, that could mean that something’s wrong. And if their nose is normally dry but suddenly it’s runny, that could also indicate a problem.
As a general rule of thumb, these symptoms should always prompt a vet visit…
How do noses get wet?
So, wet noses help dogs smell and see the world better. But how do noses get wet?
1. Noses secrete mucus. The inner lining of the dog’s nose contains special glands that produce mucus to keep the nasal canals moist. A thin layer of mucus clings to the nostrils, enhancing the absorption of scent chemicals and improving the dog’s ability to smell. The special mucous glands inside the nostrils also produce clear, watery fluid that aids the cooling process through evaporation.
2. Dogs lick their noses. It seems like some dogs are constantly licking their noses and they are quite good at keeping them covered in saliva. Dogs have long tongues that can easily reach the tip of the nose, even in breeds like Collies that have really long noses. Why do they lick their noses? Dogs lick their noses to keep them clean, since canine noses get dirty as dogs smell everything. Whether it’s food from the bowl, pollen from a flower, or dust under the couch, dog noses stay dirty and need lots of licking to get clean again. Dogs also lick their noses to gather some of the scent particles inside the mouth. The mucus from the nose, laden with scent particles, is carried to the roof of the mouth where Jacobsen’s organ is located. Licking the nose enhances the sense of smell by facilitating the function of Jacobsen’s organ. Moisture is so important to the canine sense of smell that dogs learn to keep their nose moist and will automatically lick their noses when they become dry. Smart dogs don’t want to miss out on important information due to a dry nose!
3. Noses get wet at work. The canine nose works hard. Dogs use their sense of smell, along with sight, to navigate the world – so they sniff a lot of stuff. Dogs probe with their noses when investigating something new, sticking them into damp grass, leaves, plants, puddles, etc., and they come out with wet noses after they pick up moisture from the environment.
When it comes to pets, it seems there are many mysteries about their bodies and why they were made a certain way. One thing that makes their humans curious is the fact that their noses are often both cold and wet.
It is often believed that a dry, warm nose equals a sick dog and a visit to the vet while a cold, wet nose equals a healthy dog or puppy. It could also be recurrent allergies, some say. That belief is not always true. We’ve all felt our dog’s cold, wet nose greet us as we arrive home from work. Or after playing outside, our dog’s nose sometimes becomes warm and dry. The per se “normal” dog nose varies from dog to dog just as the weather changes from day to day. The temperature and moistness of a dog’s nose is not a good indicator of the dog’s overall health. Dogs noses are often wet for a few reasons.
A warm nose does not always indicate a fever. The body temperature of your dog can only be determined with an actual thermometer. A warm and dry nose is common in healthy dogs after sleeping. Dry, chapped noses are common in older dogs and in some breeds like Bulldogs or Pugs. Playing outside or sitting near a heat source can also cause a warm, dry nose. Your dog’s mucous should always be clear and thin. Thickened, discolored or foul smelling mucous and nasal discharge, lethargy, a poor appetite, difficulty breathing, or redness, flaking, and/or sores around the nose are all indicators to contact your local veterinarian immediately.
Your Dog Has A Cold Nose – Sign of Health?
When it comes to pets, it seems there are many mysteries about their bodies and why they were made a certain way. One thing that makes their humans curious is the fact that their noses are often both cold and wet.
It is often believed that a dry, warm nose equals a sick dog and a visit to the vet while a cold, wet nose equals a healthy dog or puppy. It could also be recurrent allergies, some say. That belief is not always true. We’ve all felt our dog’s cold, wet nose greet us as we arrive home from work. Or after playing outside, our dog’s nose sometimes becomes warm and dry. The per se “normal” dog nose varies from dog to dog just as the weather changes from day to day. The temperature and moistness of a dog’s nose is not a good indicator of the dog’s overall health. Dogs noses are often wet for a few reasons.
A warm nose does not always indicate a fever. The body temperature of your dog can only be determined with an actual thermometer. A warm and dry nose is common in healthy dogs after sleeping. Dry, chapped noses are common in older dogs and in some breeds like Bulldogs or Pugs. Playing outside or sitting near a heat source can also cause a warm, dry nose. Your dog’s mucous should always be clear and thin. Thickened, discolored or foul smelling mucous and nasal discharge, lethargy, a poor appetite, difficulty breathing, or redness, flaking, and/or sores around the nose are all indicators to contact your local veterinarian immediately.