According to folklore, a dry nose means a dog is sick. While this may be true in some cases, a dry nose doesn’t always require an urgent trip to the veterinarian (although if your dog has other symptoms, then yes, it’s time for a vet visit). There are other reasons for a dog’s dry nose that are less worrisome, like a nap, sunburn and cold weather. It’s also perfectly normal for some breeds of dog to have a dry nose.
Are Dogs’ Noses Supposed to Be Wet?
In general, dogs are supposed to have a wet nose, as it helps them detect scents better and to keep cool. The only place dogs have sweat glands is in their paws (and possibly their noses). So, instead of sweating, dogs have to use other ways of cooling down. Panting is the main way dogs regulate their body temperature. Panting allows air to circulate quickly through their respiratory system and for water to evaporate from your dog’s tongue, mouth and upper airways, which cools their body down. The mucus inside a dog’s nostrils may also help cool them a little.
Saying dogs love to sniff is an understatement. The moisture on their nose helps capture those interesting scent particles, and licking their nose transfers the scents to a special organ, the Jacobsen’s organ, so they can really process them. Licking also clears the way for new scents to be sniffed. That’s why a dog’s nose can help lead them home!
Why Are Dogs’ Noses Wet?
Like we mentioned above, most dogs’ noses are wet because they lick them. There are also tear ducts in the nose that drain excess tears from the eyes. A runny nose due to illness can also create a wet nose.
What Can Cause a Dog’s Dry Nose?
There are a number of reasons why your dog could have a dry nose that don’t involve illness. For example, you may notice that your dog has a dry nose after a nap. Dogs keep their noses moist by licking them, and since sleeping dogs don’t normally lick themselves, their nose can dry out while they’re in dreamland. Usually they will start licking it when they wake up so you should notice that their dry nose becomes moist once they’re up and at ’em again.
Some dogs may have a dry nose because they don’t lick it as much as other dogs do. Similarly, some dogs, especially brachycephalic breeds (dogs with short snouts) like pugs, bulldogs and Boston terriers, have trouble licking their nose due to the shape of their heads. So their noses may be dryer than other dog breeds.
Dehydration can be another reason your dog has a dry nose. There are many causes of dehydration in dogs, including not drinking enough water on a hot day or after exercise, and from vomiting or diarrhea if they’re sick. Dog owners can tell if their canine companion is dehydrated by making a skin tent. Gently pull up on the skin at the nape of your dog’s neck. If your dog is hydrated, the skin should immediately snap back into place. If they’re dehydrated, the skin will take longer to return to its original shape. If in doubt, check with your vet because severe dehydration can lead to serious health issues.
Sunburn can also cause a dry nose that is painful to touch. Dogs with a pink or pale nose are especially prone to sunburn. Using a dog-specific sunscreen when out in the sun for long periods may help prevent sunburn.
Other causes of a dog’s dry nose include environmental allergies, strenuous exercise, blocked tear ducts, cold weather, heatstroke (their body temperature becomes dangerously high), old age and autoimmune disease. There are many causes, so contact your vet if you have concerns about a dry dog nose, especially if there are other symptoms, and remember that a sick dog can also have a wet nose.
Can I Put Vaseline® on My Dog?
A thin layer of a petroleum jelly-based ointment (like Vaseline) may be recommended if your dog has a cracked or dry nose or paw pads. The ointment helps seal in moisture and allows the skin to heal. Vaseline is not toxic to dogs, but if they eat too much it can cause an upset stomach, so ask your vet before using it. You can also use a warm moist cloth to soothe your pup’s nose or ask your vet if they recommend a dog-specific nose balm. However, for anything you put on the nose to be effective, you will need to prevent your dog from licking it off.
Why Is My Dog’s Nose Cold?
A dog’s nose can change temperature throughout the day. It’s common for a dog’s nose to be a few degrees cooler when the air temperature is fairly warm. Likewise, when the ambient temperature is cold, dogs’ noses tend to be a bit warmer. Since there’s no fur covering the skin on their nose, when dogs lick their noses in hot weather, the added moisture dissipates heat (cools the nose) as it evaporates — the same way sweat works in humans. So, if the weather is hot, this might be why you’re noticing a cold nose on your dog.
There are many reasons why a dog’s nose is dry — it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are sick. In fact, a wet nose can be a sign that your dog has a respiratory infection. So if you’re concerned about your dog’s dry nose (or wet nose), contact your vet.
