Like their tongues, dogs’ noses can reveal a lot about their health. In this article, we’ll discuss what a healthy dog nose looks like, common causes of dry noses in dogs, how to treat your dog’s dry nose, and when you should call your veterinarian. A cold, wet nose is a common trait of a healthy dog, but what if your dog has one?
He Was Taking a Cat Nap
Your dog is dreaming while he sleeps, not licking his nose. As a result, while your dog is sleeping, it’s common for their nose to dry out. When they awaken, they will immediately begin licking their nose to rehydrate it.
Consider the fact that you become dehydrated when you exercise and perspire a lot. The same goes for your faithful friend. He will become dehydrated if you just took him for a run or if he spent the entire day playing with friends in the park. His nose will be proof of that.
His nose will become moist again once he drinks enough water to replenish it.
Older pups tend to have drier noses. It just comes with age, like gray hair and wrinkles in humans. It’s nothing to worry about, but you could always dab some dog-safe balm on his nose to help keep it moist. He would do the same for you.
Additionally, some dog breeds with shorter snouts, such as Bulldogs and Pugs, have difficulty licking their noses. Other breeds, such as Lhasa Apsos and Spaniels, experience tear duct obstruction. Their noses are on the dry side as a result of both of these things.
A little dog-friendly moisturizer will fix that right up.
Just like us, dogs can suffer from allergies, which causes their noses to dry out. Dog’s can have environmental-related allergies, skin-related allergies, and even food-related allergies.
Your dog might require allergy medication if the allergies are bad.
We frequently overlook the fact that most furry animals, including our four-legged friends, have skin. Dog breeds with thin, light coats and pink or pale noses, paw pads, eyelids, and ears, in particular, are more prone to sunburn.
If your pooch gets sunburn, it’ll cause his nose to dry out and possibly crack, depending on the severity. If you own one of these thin-skinned breeds, be sure to invest in dog-safe sunscreen for those long outdoor play days.
They’ve experienced harsh weather
Your dogs nose may also dry out when its exposed to harsh weather conditions. Being outside in very sunny, dry, or windy weather can make the nose lose moisture more easily and possibly cause irritation or sunburn.
Dogs’ skin depends on humidity just like human skin does because cold, dry winters are hard on all of our skin, according to Sypniewski.
If your dog sleeps too close to a vent or heating source indoors, their nose may also become dry.
How To Treat Dry Noses
Many times, simple products can be used to treat your dog’s nose. Numerous nose balms and moisturizing goods are available to treat dry, cracked noses. Never apply human moisturizer to your dog’s nose because they might contain toxic ingredients. Dogs frequently lick their noses, making it easy for them to ingest these toxins and get sick.
Ask your veterinarian for advice if you’re unsure of which product is best for your dog. Your veterinarian will be able to direct you toward the most efficient treatment for the unique requirements of your dog. Your veterinarian may also recommend a specific type of lotion to help moisten your dog’s snout if their nose is consistently dry.
FAQ
What does it mean when dogs nose is warm?
A healthy dog’s nose should be cold and moist. There shouldn’t be any discharge coming from your dog’s nostrils or excessive dripping. Warmth in your dog’s nose could indicate an infection or fever.
Is a warm dry dog nose bad?
There is some truth to the old wives’ tale that a dog’s nose should be cool and moist. Dogs suffering from a fever frequently have warm, dry noses. However, this does not imply that all canines with dry noses are ill. A nose may be dry simply due to the weather at this time of year.