Most dog owners would probably tell you that a cold, wet nose on their canine companion signals a healthy pup. Likewise, many believe a dog is sick when his nose is dry — but is this true?
Before we get into that debate, we first need to understand why dogs have wet noses. The answer is simple: wet noses work better. Dogs depend on their highly developed sense of smell to interpret their world, and scent particles stick better to moist surfaces. That wet nose also cools your dog down on hot days, similar to how panting regulates his body temperature.
The lining of your dog’s nose contains special mucus-producing glands that keep his nasal passageways moist, along with producing a clear, watery fluid that helps keep him cool. Dogs also lick their noses on a regular basis to keep them clean. All that sniffing can result in dirt and pollen collecting around your dog’s nostrils, and licking serves two purposes: not only does it keep your dog’s nose wet, but pups can also interpret smell through taste, thanks to a highly specialized olfactory organ called the Jacobson’s organ.
Have you ever reached down to pet your furry friend and noticed their normally cold wet nose is suddenly warm and dry? If you’re like most dog parents your heart probably skipped a beat as you wondered, “Is my dog sick?”
I’ve been there too, frantically Googling dog symptoms at 2 AM while my pup sleeps peacefully beside me. That’s why I wanted to tackle this common concern head-on and separate fact from fiction when it comes to your dog’s nose temperature.
The Old Wives’ Tale: Is It True?
Let’s address the elephant in the room – that age-old belief that a warm, dry nose means your dog is sick. This myth has been passed down through generations of dog owners, but is there any truth to it?
The answer is: kinda, but not really.
While a dog with a fever will often have a warm, dry nose, not all dogs with dry noses are sick. In fact, there are numerous perfectly normal reasons why your dog’s nose might be warm or dry at any given moment.
How Does a Dog’s Nose Stay Wet Anyway?
Before we dive into the reasons for a dry nose, let’s understand how your dog’s nose typically stays wet:
- Special glands beneath the surface of your dog’s nose produce mucus that coats the surface, keeping it moist
- Frequent licking – you’ve probably noticed your dog regularly licks their nose
This wetness serves two important purposes:
- It helps your dog detect smells (dogs are 10,000 to 100,000 times better at detecting odors than humans!)
- It assists with regulating body temperature through evaporation
11 Common Reasons for a Warm, Dry Nose in Dogs
1. Just Woke Up From Sleeping
This is probably the most common and harmless reason. When your dog is sleeping, they’re not licking their nose. It’s completely normal for dogs to have a dry nose when they first wake up, but it will usually become wet again once they resume their usual licking behavior.
2. Dehydration
Hard exercise, not having access to water for a while, or illness can cause your dog to become dehydrated, which can dry out their nose. Make sure your pup always has access to fresh water, especially during vigorous exercise.
Mild dehydration from exercise typically resolves quickly after a drink of water. However, if severe dehydration is suspected (sunken eyes, lethargy), contact your vet immediately.
3. Dry Eye or Blocked Tear Ducts
Surprisingly, a dry nose can sometimes be related to eye issues. The nasolacrimal ducts connect the tear ducts to the nasal canal, so blocked tear ducts or decreased tear production (dry eye) can affect the nose as well.
One-sided dryness may indicate a nerve issue affecting both tear production and nasal moisture. If you suspect your dog has dry eye, a veterinary appointment is recommended.
4. Breed Characteristics
Short-snouted (brachycephalic) breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers often have naturally drier noses. Due to their facial structure, these dogs usually have trouble reaching their noses with their tongues, meaning they can’t effectively lick them to keep them moist.
Many of these breeds are also prone to dry eye, which can contribute to nose dryness as well.
5. High Body Temperature or Fever
Increased body heat can dry out your dog’s nose. This might happen on hot days or if your dog has a fever.
Remember that a normal dog’s temperature is higher than humans – typically around 99-102.5°F. If your dog has a fever and a dry nose, they’ll likely show other symptoms too, like lethargy or decreased appetite.
6. Sunburn
A dog’s nose is very susceptible to sunburn, especially if your pup has a pink or pale nose. Sunburn can cause redness, soreness, cracking, or dryness. Consider using a dog-friendly sunscreen if your dog will be spending time in the sun.
7. Allergies
While not the most common symptom of allergies, a dry nose can sometimes indicate your dog is experiencing an allergic reaction. Other allergy symptoms might include itchy skin or hair loss. Talk to your vet about possible treatments, which might include antihistamines like Benadryl.
8. Nasal Hyperkeratosis
This is the technical term for when the surface of the nose becomes dry, cracked, or crusty. It’s common in certain breeds like Cocker Spaniels and in senior dogs. However, it’s always best to check with your vet before assuming this is the cause.
9. Autoimmune Diseases
Several autoimmune conditions can affect your dog’s nose, including discoid lupus erythematosus and pemphigus. With these conditions, the surface of the nose may bleed, ulcerate, crack, peel, change color, or lose its normal bumpy appearance.
These symptoms definitely warrant a veterinary visit, and your vet may recommend a biopsy to reach a diagnosis.
10. Low Humidity and Dry Weather
Just like humans get chapped lips or dry hands during cold, dry weather, dogs can experience dry noses due to low humidity. Dogs that seek warmth near heaters during cold weather might also develop dry noses. This typically resolves on its own.
11. Age
As dogs get older, they tend to produce less of the mucus that helps keep their noses moist. A drier nose is common in senior dogs and isn’t necessarily cause for concern on its own.
When Should You Worry About Your Dog’s Dry Nose?
It’s important to look at the whole picture when determining if your dog’s dry nose is concerning. Here are some signs that warrant a vet visit:
- Severe dehydration or sunken eyes
- Crusting, bleeding, or peeling of the nose
- Nasal discharge (especially if greenish)
- Excessive sneezing
- Color change in the nose (beyond normal seasonal variation)
- Loss of the normal “cobblestone” appearance of the nose
- Dryness on just one side of the nose
- Other signs of illness like lethargy, decreased appetite, or behavior changes
What Can You Do for Your Dog’s Dry Nose?
For minor dryness with no other concerning symptoms, you might not need to do anything. If your dog just woke up or got a bit dehydrated after exercise, offer some water and see if the situation improves.
For persistent dryness or crusting, you can try:
- Commercial pet nose balms like Snout Soother® or Dermoscent BIO BALM®
- Human products like Aquaphor (apply a small amount and rub it in well)
- Some dog owners report success with a little Vaseline or virgin olive oil
When applying any product, be careful not to obstruct your dog’s nostrils, and use only a small amount to prevent excessive licking.
A Personal Experience
My black Lab, Buddy, developed a dry, crusty nose when he turned 11. I panicked at first, thinking it was a sign of illness. But after a vet check, we learned it was just age-related nasal hyperkeratosis.
We started using a nose balm twice daily, and it made a huge difference! His nose never returned to the super-wet state of his puppy years, but the cracking and discomfort disappeared. It’s now just part of our daily routine – a little dab of balm while he patiently waits for his treat reward.
The Bottom Line
A warm, dry nose by itself usually isn’t something to worry about. Dogs’ noses fluctuate between wet and dry throughout the day for many normal reasons. The old wives’ tale about a dry nose always indicating illness simply isn’t accurate.
What matters more is your dog’s overall behavior and the presence of any other symptoms. If your dog is acting normal, eating well, and staying hydrated, a temporarily dry nose is probably nothing to worry about.
But when in doubt, trust your instincts. You know your dog better than anyone, and if something seems off, it never hurts to check with your vet. After all, that’s what they’re there for!
Have you noticed changes in your dog’s nose? What remedies have worked for your pup? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Common Reasons Your Dog’s Nose is Dry
Your dog’s nose is dry while he’s sleeping. This happens simply because your dog is not licking his nose while he’s asleep. His nose should be wet again within 10 minutes of waking up.
Winter is tough on a dog’s nose. Do you ever wake up with a dry, scratchy throat during the winter months? That’s probably due to the flow of warm air from heating vents. Warm airflow can have the same effect on a dog’s nose. Has your pup been sleeping right next to a vent to keep warm? That warm air can dry out his nose and things should return to normal once he moves away from the heat source.
Along with indoor heating, the cold air and winds of winter also cause a dry nose. Think of how dry and chapped your lips get when you’re outdoors in winter. That’s similar to what happens to a dog’s nose.
Older dogs may have drier noses. If you notice this as your dog ages, a dab of nose balm will help keep his nose moist.
Brachycephalic breeds are prone to dry nose. Dogs with short snouts, like Pugs and Bulldogs, often have difficulty licking their nose. You may have to apply moisturizer to keep it moist. Other breeds, Lhasa Apsos, for example, are prone to blocked tears ducts, which can also cause the nose to dry out.
So, What Does It Mean When a Dog’s Nose Is Dry?
As convenient as it would be to have an easy way to gauge sickness in dogs, there are several perfectly normal reasons why a dog’s nose might be warm or dry, and it is worth noting that sick dogs can have wet noses, too.
Let’s take a look at some possible explanations as to why your dog’s nose might be dry:
- Your dog was napping. Sleeping dogs don’t usually lick their noses, so they may wake up with warm noses.
- Dehydration from exercise. Strenuous exercise is dehydrating, which can lead to a dry nose.
- Exposure to the elements. Exposure to hot sunlight, wind, or cold can dry your dog’s nose, and, in some cases, may result in chapped or sunburned snouts. Lying next to a source of heat, like a fire or a heat vent, can also cause dry skin on your dog’s nose.
- Age. Some dogs develop dry noses with age.
A hot, dry nose doesn’t always mean trouble, but it can certainly be a sign of fever, dehydration, or even conditions like dry eye. If your dog’s dry nose is accompanied by other symptoms, like lethargy, vomiting or diarrhea, or changes in activity or appetite, contact your veterinarian for advice.
Looking and touching your dog’s gums and noting their color can yield more accurate information than his nose. If gums are moist, that’s a sign of good hydration. If they’re very dry, or tacky, it could be a sign of dehydration. If gums are a nice pink, like a person’s, it’s a good sign. Pale gums could be an indication of anemia or low blood pressure. If your dog has bright red-purple or pal blueish gums, he should be examined by a veterinarian right away.
Dog Dry Nose: What Does It Mean?
FAQ
Is it okay if my dog’s nose is warm and dry?
Is a dog sick if it has a dry nose?