If you have been a loyal dog fan, you would have always wondered when you have the first chit-chat with your dog in the morning. Why are dog’s noses wet? Of course, a wet dog nose has always been considered to be a sign of good health. But, ever thought over the reason for it? We will today try to find out why are dog’s noses always wet.
One primary reason is that the dog noses are wet to sharpen its sense of smell. Since the smell is the most powerful tool in your dog’s arsenal, nature has bestowed it with the best ways to keep its nose wet. This goes a long way in promoting its sense of smell by making the particles stick to its nose. That apart, dogs lick their noses to keep it wet.
Why is a Dog’s Nose Wet?
There are several reasons that make a dog’s nose wet. A considerable number of theories have been put forth to explain why a dog’s nose is wet, but frankly, science does not have a fully satisfying answer to explain why dogs have a moist nose. Some possible reasons for the wet nose include the mucus, perspiration, licking and other wet particles and elements.
A few common reasons or factors that make the dog’s noses to get wet include
Mucus
Dogs have a remarkable sense of smell. One reason that makes the sense of smell outstanding is the mucus that the dog’s noses secrete. The mucus captures the particles, thereby increasing the sense of smell considerably.
Saliva
You might have seen your dog licking by rolling their tongue over their noses and lips. This is one of the reasons for the dog’s wet nose. They may be doing this to keep their lips and noses clean or to taste the smell of particles stuck to their noses.
Perspiration
While dogs may not sweat like us humans, they do perspire through their noses. This can be one of the ways that help keep your dog cool.
Other wet elements
Dogs tend to put their noses in all sorts of things. They may dip their nose in water when drinking, in the wet grass when sniffing and even in the toilet bowl. All these wet surfaces can make its nose get wet.
What Does a Dry Nose Mean in a Dog?
If your dog nose is dry, it need not mean something abnormal with your dog or a sign of illness. The key to understanding here is that while a wet nose is a sign of being normal, a dry nose does not need to be not normal. I used to believe that my dog was sick when it had a dry nose. But my vet told me that a dry nose may not necessarily be a sign of illness. A perfectly healthy dog can have a dry nose, and a sick dog can have a cool and wet nose. There is absolutely no correlation.
The wetness or dryness of your dog’s nose or its temperature need not be a measure of your dog’s health. If your dog has a dry nose and is still behaving normally, there is nothing you need to be worried about. A good example here is a sleeping dog. Since it does not lick its nose as often, the nose remains dry.
What can cause Dryer Noses in Dogs?
To begin with, it is normal for a dog’s nose to be dry. It is never a sign of any illness. Some dog breeds may have dryer noses than others. Some of the reasons that your dog’s dry nose can include
Your dog may be sleeping – If your dog is sleeping or snoozing, through long stretches. Your dog will get back to normal once it gets rehydrated.
External conditions – Exposure to the dry and warm conditions can make the dog’s nose to become dry. You can consider applying some soothing balm.
Exercises and games – A vigorous game or plenty of activities can make the dog’s nose dry. Provide enough water to counteract the dryness.
Age – Dry nose isn’t necessarily a sign of illness. Age can also play a role in whether your dog’s nose is wet or dry. The senior dogs tend to produce less mucus and thus have drier noses.
Dehydration – One of the primary reasons for the dry nose in dogs is the dehydration they are likely to suffer. Offer your dog some water if you notice any significant deviation in terms of the wet or dry nature of your dog’s nose.
When Should You Take Your Dog to a Vet for a Dry Nose?
A dry nose alone need not be a cause for concern. If you notice that your dog has other conditions, such as lethargy, vomiting or diarrhoea, or changes in activity or appetite, or even fever, it may be necessary to take your dog to a vet. Another sign may be your dog walking slowly with its head down.
If your dog’s nose has become extremely dry for over a few days, it may indicate dehydration or fever. However, simply having a dry nose need not be a concern or a sign of illness. Consult a vet only if you notice the symptoms like lethargy, diarrhoea, vomiting and loss of appetite. However, if your dog is behaving normally despite having a dry nose, you need not worry about them. It is perfectly normal for a perfectly healthy dog to have a dry nose.
The Closing Thoughts
Your dog’s noses need not be an indicator of their health. However, if you are wondering why your dog nose is wet, the discussion above should have helped you in finding the real reason. Even when there are no perfectly satisfying answers on what makes the dog’s noses wet, a few of the causes we have outlined would ideally make sense.
Does a dry nose in a dog indicate fever or sickness?
No. A dry nose may be a condition that can indicate such as fever or dehydration. But, there can also be several other reasons that can result in dry nose in dogs. You should consult the veterinarian only if you notice other symptoms, along with a dry nose.
What does it mean when a dog’s nose is dry?
A dry nose can be an indicator of dehydration, sunburn and over-exertion. It need not, however, be a sign of illness. If you notice that the dryness persists for several days, you may need to take the dog to the vet.
What does it mean when a dog’s nose is dry?
When the dog is fast asleep, it will stop licking its nose. This will make the nose to get dry. It will be back to normal after the dog wakes up and is rehydrated.
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