Whether you love it or you hate it, there’s one thing that every dog owner knows about, and that is a dog’s cold, slimy, wet nose rubbing up against you during enthusiastic greetings!
Have you ever found yourself wondering, – Why do dogs have wet noses? You certainly wouldn’t be alone. Our noses aren’t moist all the time after all, so why are our dogs’ noses like that?
In this article, we are going to take a look at why your dog’s nose is wet, and what function a wet nose serves. You will also discover what it means if your dog’s nose is dry, and what you can do for your dog if its nose is dry and cracked.
We will uncover how you can know if your dog’s nose is too wet. And finally, we will explore some fascinating facts about your dog’s nose that may help you to appreciate that sloppy wet welcome you get when you arrive home even more!
Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?
All healthy dogs have wet noses, but there are several reasons as to why your dog’s nose is this way. Keep reading to uncover the answer to your burning question – Why is my dog’s nose wet?
Why do dogs have wet noses? Because it secretes mucus
It’s not the most pleasant fact, but one of the reasons that your dog has a wet nose is because it secretes mucus. It isn’t as repellent as it sounds, though, as the mucus has an essential function for your dog’s wellbeing.
It’s not quite like when a toddler rubs their snotty nose all over you when they have a nasty bug. The thin layer of mucus that a dog’s nose creates increases their ability to smell by allowing them to absorb scent chemicals when they are sniffing or trying to follow specific scents.
Why do dogs have wet noses? Because they lick their nose
It’s pretty obvious, but another reason that helps to answer your question – Why do dogs have wet noses? – Is that your dog regularly licks his nose.
It’s cool when you think about it. As humans, we can’t really lick our noses, but dogs can! It’s not a random activity, either. Dog’s lick their noses for two reasons:
Firstly, they are keeping up with their hygiene. As a dog owner, you are aware that your dog sticks his nose into absolutely everything, and some of that stuff can be vile. Your dog licks his nose to keep it clean. His nose is, after all, a vital tool, so he must keep it in good condition.
Secondly, licking the nose helps your dog to smell things better. This ability is related to the thin layer of mucus we talked about earlier.
When your dog licks his nose, he is licking off that layer of mucus along with the scent chemicals it has absorbed. The olfactory glands that are located on the inside of your dog’s mouth are then able to sample these scents.
Why do dogs have wet noses? Dogs lick their noses to stay cool
One thing that dogs lack is the ability to sweat the way humans do, which is perhaps in many ways a Godsend. However, canines do sweat, contrary to popular belief.
To clarify, dogs sweat by secreting moisture through their paws, and also through their noses. By keeping the nose wet by licking it, your dog can release heat when the moisture evaporates off the nose. This way, your pet can cool down after play or during hot weather.
Your Dog’s Nose Naturally Picks Up Moisture
Another reason that your dog’s nose is wet is that it picks up moisture, along with all sorts of other things, through the environment.
Have you ever watched your dog when he is sniffing? Its quite an intensive and full-on activity, isn’t it?
Your dog really likes to get his nose into whatever it is that smells so interesting. That might be litter, food, wet grass, or leaves covered in another dog’s urine. Yes, this all finds it’s way onto your dog’s nose, making it look and feel cold and wet.
Some Dogs Have Colder And Wetter Noses Than Others
The state of your dog’s nose may also be down to the dog’s breed or genetics. Like humans, all dogs are individuals, and certain features or the way their body works isn’t under their control. Some dog breeds simply have colder and wetter noses than others. It’s just the way it is.
What Does It Mean If My Dog’s Nose Is Dry?
It is typical for a healthy and normal dog to have a cold and wet nose. Therefore you might be concerned if your own dog’s nose is actually warm and dry.
A dry nose doesn’t always mean a dog isn’t well, though. Many dogs seem to have dry noses most of the time. So let’s have a look at why this is, and when to know if a dry nose means a dog is sick.
Firstly, the wetness and temperature of every dog’s nose vary throughout the day. It is very similar to the way the state of your own body fluctuates throughout the day.
It’s usually nothing to worry about. Remember, even dogs with cold and wet noses can be sick. It is not the nose alone that determines the health of your four-legged friend.
If your dog’s nose is dry, it may just be that they are in a state of rest, or perhaps the environment is warm and dry, or your pet is dehydrated. It can be especially true if they are lying in front of a heater or a fireplace.
If your dog has been inactive for some time, or he has been sleeping, it may also be the reason for his nose dryness. The juices start flowing when you get going, as they say.
If you are worried about the state of your dog’s nose, it is more effective to keep an eye on whether you can see any unusual discharge coming from it, or if the mucus becomes thicker or kind of crusty. The healthy dog’ nose should be wet and cold most of the time.
Anything out of the ordinary that you haven’t noticed before is usually a sure sign that there could be something wrong with your dog. The best remedy is always to take your dog to the vet for a check-up.
The best way to help your dachshund live longer?
Watch our video to find out!
What Can I Do If My Dog’s Nose Is Dry And Cracked?
Sometimes a dog’s nose can get so dry that it becomes cracked. It is usually a sign that your dog is feeling under the weather, or that something else is wrong with your pet.
Knowing what to do if your dog has a dry and cracked nose is easier when you know what is likely to be the cause of it.
First things first, make sure that your dog has access to clean water. A dry nose often indicates a dehydration, and your dog may appreciate a drink.
It is especially true if they have been sleeping, or if they have been in a warm and dry environment for a while; for example, if you have cranked up your heating or air conditioning.
A dry and cracked nose may also be the result of a medical condition. Here are some common ones to look out for:
Sunburn
A dry and red nose or flaky nasal skin may indicate sunburn. Dog’s noses are very sensitive, and when exposed to the sun, they can quickly get sunburnt.
It is especially common in dogs that have pale or pink noses. You should always ensure to protect your dog’s nose with suncream. Remember, your dog’s nose should be wet and cold at most times.
Skin Disorders
Cracked noses, scabs, and other sores are all signs of a potential skin disorder. It is usually best to have your dog checked over by a professional who can take samples and do tests. Hence, you will be able to find out if your dog is suffering from a skin disorder.
Severe Dehydration
Every dog probably experiences symptoms of mild dehydration, especially in the summer months. If your dog has a severe case of dehydration, however, a dry nose will accompany a host of other visible symptoms.
These may include sunken eyes, dry gums, weakness, and a loss of skin elasticity. In case you observe any of these symptoms together, you must try to get your dog to take some water and then seek medical help as soon as possible.
Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses? My Dog’s Nose Is Too Wet
It can be challenging to know whether your dog’s nose is too wet. As we have already established, every dog is different, and some dogs simply have wetter noses than others. But here are some of the things to look out for if you are concerned about the wetness of your dog’s nose.
A Runny Nose
Dog’s noses don’t tend to have any continuous runny discharge unless there is a health issue. So if your dog’s nose is running a lot, you should have a vet check them over, as it could be a symptom of an underlying issue such as an upper respiratory infection.
Strange-coloured Mucus
When a healthy dog’s nose runs, the mucus should be clear. In case you notice anything strange, you should take your dog to see a vet. Keep an eye out for mucus that is thick, bubbly, yellow, green, or black.
A Stuffed Up Nose
Aside from upper respiratory infections, your dog’s stuffed up nose could be due to inflammation. Sinusitis refers to inflammation in the lining of the sinuses, and it can cause a runny and wet, or blocked up nose.
Stuffy nose is quite a common condition in dogs, but obviously not very enjoyable. You should seek professional advice in order to provide your dog with some relief from the problem and prevent it from developing into anything worse.
Five Fascinating Facts About Your Dog’s Nose
Your dog’s nose, whether wet or dry, is an essential part of his body, with specific functions that help your dog to be a dog! Check out these five fascinating facts about your dog’s nose.
Dogs can take in air and breathe it out at the same time! How do they do it? Well, the dog’s nose is designed to move air in and out at the same time for continuous air circulation.
Dogs have a unique scent-detecting organ called the Vomeronasal Organ, which humans don’t have. The design of this scent-detecting organ enables dogs to detect pheromones and plays a vital role in reproduction and other aspects of canine behaviour and physiology.
Dogs smell in 3D. They do this by using each nostril independently to take in scents. The brain is then able to use these separate scent profiles to work out exactly where in the environment the smell is coming from. It is the reason why your dog is so good at sniffing out food or toys when you have hidden them from sight.
Dogs can smell up to 100,000 times more effectively than humans! Your dog’s sense of smell is its most potent sense; so powerful in fact that a dog can detect the equivalent of ½ a teaspoon of sugar in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Our favourite dachshund, for instance, has an exceptional sense of smell. It is classified as a ‘hound’, in other words it is one of the best dogs used for hunting. A well-known fact is that hunting dogs have a very well developed olfactory system.
Being a hound, their sense of smell is one of their primary and sensitive senses they use when hunting.
A Bloodhound’s sense of smell is so accurate that it can be admitted as evidence in a court of law. Bloodhounds are able to follow scent tracks that are over 300 hours old. They can stay on that trail for over 130 miles!
Why do dogs have wet noses? Conclusion
I hope we have answered your question- Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses? You should now have all the information you need to know about your dog’s nose and its function!
This article provides you with all the information you need to ensure that your pet stays healthy, by identifying whether its nose is wet or dry, black or pink, snotty, or cracked. There’s a lot more about our dogs than meets the eye.., or in this case, the nose!
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our write-ups: