What does it mean if my dogs nose is dry

A cold, wet nose is a common trait associated with dogs. But what if your dog’s nose doesn’t fit the description? What if your dog’s nose is dry? Well noses, much like tongues, can tell us a lot about our dogs.

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What keeps your dog’s nose cool and wet?
Why is my dog’s nose dry?
1. Sleeping
2. Dehydration
4. High body temperature or fever
5. Low humidity
7. Nasal hyperkeratosis
8. Autoimmune diseases
What does it mean if my dog’s nose is dry?
Signs you should take your dog to the vet
What can be done about a dry nose?
Good news for the dry nose dilemma
Has your dog ever had problems with a dry nose?

In this article, we’ll cover what a healthy dog nose looks like, common causes of dry noses in dogs, how to treat your pup’s dry nose, and when to know if you should contact your veterinarian. Read on to learn more!

In most cases, a healthy dog nose should be cold and moist. It shouldn’t drip excessively, and there shouldn’t be any discharge from your dog’s nostrils.

Your pup's nose should also be cool to the touch. If your dog's nose is warm to the touch it could be a sign of a fever or infection.

It’s worth noting that some dogs have noses that stay on the dry side, even in their healthiest state. It’s always wise to make a mental reference of your dog’s normal state so that you can catch any changes or abnormalities that occur. If your dog’s nose is usually dry, take note if it ever begins to look painful or cracked.

Often a dry nose is just a temporary side effect of an environmental change like weather or allergies. But, since a dry nose can also be a symptom of some serious conditions, it’s wise to try deducing the cause of your dog’s dry nose. As always, it’s essential to consider any additional symptoms that accompany a dry nose as they will help lead you toward a possible diagnosis.

The following are some of the possible causes of dry nose in dogs:

Sunburn is a common culprit for dry noses in dogs. The skin of your pup’s nose and the snout is delicate, and since the hair on the muzzle is usually thinner, it doesn’t protect the skin from sunburn. Dogs with light-colored coats and noses without pigmentation are particularly susceptible to sunburn.

If your dog’s nose is sunburnt it will be dry and the skin may crack. You will likely see signs of sunburn on other parts of your dog as well: the ears and belly can appear red when sunburned.

A dry nose may be a symptom that your dog is severely dehydrated. If this is the case, there will be other symptoms as well. Dehydrated dogs are usually lethargic, and their skin will lose elasticity. If your dog exhibits these symptoms, contact your veterinarian as dehydration can be a sign of other underlying illnesses and conditions.

Sometimes an autoimmune disease or disorder can lead to dry nose in dogs. Examples of these conditions include lupus and pemphigus (an autoimmune skin disorder). Sometimes these autoimmune disorders will cause dogs to develop sores, cracked skin, or crusty scabs around the nose.

It’s not uncommon for senior dogs to have dry noses. You see, when dogs are sleeping, their noses dry out because they aren’t licking them regularly to moisten them. Since many senior dogs take extended naps, it’s not surprising that their noses are commonly on the dry side.

Dry noses are prevalent in certain dog breeds, particularly brachycephalic breeds. Because of the compact shape of their snouts, it’s harder for breeds like Pugs and English Bulldogs to lick their noses to moisten them.

A dry nose is a common symptom of allergies. Determining your dog’s allergen can be tricky, as there are so many potential culprits, including food, cleaning products, and more. If your dog develops a dry nose after a change in his environment, allergies may be the cause.

In many cases, your dog’s nose can be treated with some simple products. There are several nose balms and moisturizing products on the market to soothe dry and cracked noses.

You should never put moisturizers meant for humans on your dog’s nose as they may contain toxic ingredients. Since dogs lick their noses frequently, they can easily ingest these toxins and become sick.

If you’re unsure of which product is best for your dog, don’t be afraid to seek advice from your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to guide you toward the most effective treatment for your pup's specific needs. If your dog’s nose is chronically dry, your vet may also prescribe a particular type of lotion to help moisten his snout.

If your dog’s dry nose is causing him discomfort or is accompanied by other symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The dry nose could be just one symptom of a more significant health issue. Your vet will be able to help you treat the dry nose and alleviate your dog’s discomfort as well as help you determine if there is an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed.

While a dry nose isn’t a severe condition most of the time, it can be painful for your pup if it persists. Don’t be afraid to seek veterinary help to alleviate your dog’s symptoms.

Looking for more ways to keep your pup happy and healthy? Consider investing in a dog insurance policy with MetLife Pet Insurance.1 Get your free quote today.

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But your dog’s wet nose has another important function – it helps regulate their body temperature. You may have already noticed how wet their nose is on a hot day or after a good session of play or exercising.

Dry nose can be a symptom of severe dehydration, alongside excessive panting, sunken eyes, lack of skin elasticity, lethargy and even vomiting. Always keep an eye on your dog’s daily water intake.Don’t hesitate to contact the vet if you’ve noticed any of these warning signs in your dog.

As a dog parent, how often have you thought to yourself, “Why is my dog’s nose dry? Do I need to call the vet?” It can be hard to know what to make of your dry-nosed pup, but integrative veterinarian, Dr. Julie Buzby, is here to help. She describes how a dog’s nose stays wet, lists eight reasons for a dry nose, and explains when a vet visit is in order.

Did you know that part of your dog’s amazing ability to detect smell depends on your dog’s nose staying wet? That wet nose has a very important purpose. The moisture traps odors and helps give your dog his or her amazing sense of smell.

So, should you be concerned if your dog’s nose is suddenly dry? During my years as a veterinarian, I have talked to countless dog parents who were worried because they noticed their pup’s nose was dry and warm rather than being cold and wet. It is understandable that they would be concerned because most people have heard the old wives’ tale that says a warm, dry nose means a dog is sick.

Thankfully, although there are a lot of reasons for a dry nose, the majority of them aren’t a cause for concern. To understand why your dog’s nose may be dry, first let’s discover how your dog’s nose gets wet.

What keeps your dog’s nose cool and wet?

There are two ways your dog’s nose gets wet. First, special glands beneath the surface of your dog’s nose produce mucus. This mucus coats the surface of your dog’s nose, keeping it moist.

Second, you’ve probably noticed your dog licking his or her nose regularly, right? This frequent licking keeps your dog’s nose wet and primed for amazing odor detection.

Frequent licking can help keep your dogs nose nice and wet.

This is important for your dog’s sense of smell, and it’s why your furry family member is 10,000 to 100,000 times better at detecting odors than you are. Amazing, right? An intriguing article from the PBS science series NOVA describes more about dogs’ dazzling sense of smell.

Why is my dog’s nose dry?

Now that you understand how your dog’s nose normally stays wet, let’s talk about what it means when your dog’s nose is dry. Some of these eight reasons for a dry nose are completely harmless while others are more worrisome.

1. Sleeping

This one is pretty simple. When your dog is fast asleep, he or she is too busy dreaming to be licking his or her nose. Dogs will often have a dry nose when they first wake up, but it will soon become wet again once they resume their usual licking.

2. Dehydration

Hard exercise, not having a drink of water for a while, or illness can all cause your dog to become dehydrated. This can dry out the surface of the nose. In mild cases of dehydration, the dryness resolves once your dog has a big drink of water. If it persists beyond a few days or if your dog is showing other signs of illness, it’s best to have your vet check him or her out.

Your dog’s dry nose may be due to dehydration. If your pet is not adequately drinking, have him or her examined by your vet.

3. Breed

Dogs with short snouts are referred to as brachycephalic (which literally means “short-headed”). This includes dog breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers. Because of their adorable smushed faces, these dogs usually have trouble getting their tongue to reach their noses. Since they may not be able to lick their noses effectively, this means they will have a drier nose than their longer-nosed counterparts do.

4. High body temperature or fever

Increased body heat can dry out your dog’s nose. This may happen if it’s really warm outside. (By the way, hot weather also can put your dog at risk for heatstroke in dogs). Alternatively, sometimes a dog who has a fever will have a dry nose. Typically if fever is the culprit, your dog will show other symptoms as well. These may include being a lethargic dog or having a decreased appetite. Any of these signs warrant a trip to see your vet.

5. Low humidity

It’s not only on hot summer days that your dog may have a dry nose. In the winter, your pup may like to warm up beside the heater or another heat source. The low humidity can quickly dry out his or her nose. The good news is this isn’t a cause for concern.

6. Sunburn

A dog’s nose is one of the most susceptible places to sunburn, particularly if your canine companion happens to have a pale nose. A sunburn can cause your dog’s snout to become red, sore, cracked, or dry. Luckily, there are many dog-friendly sunscreens you can use on your dog’s nose to keep him or her safe on a sunny day.

The nose is a sensitive area and can develop sunburn.

7. Nasal hyperkeratosis

This is the term for when the surface of the nose is dry and cracked or crusty. It can happen for several different reasons. For example, nasal hyperkeratosis is common in many breeds (like Cocker Spaniels) as well as senior dogs of all breeds. However, in some cases a crusty nose can be a sign of illness. It is best to check with your vet before assuming this is just breed or age-related hyperkeratosis.

8. Autoimmune diseases

Several autoimmune diseases can cause changes to your dog’s nose. In these diseases, the immune system goes a little haywire and attacks the cells in specific areas like the surface of your dog’s nose.

Two of the more common autoimmune skin conditions that affect the nose are systemic lupus erythematosus and pemphigus. In these conditions, the surface of your dog’s nose may start to bleed or ulcerate. Sometimes the nose will be dry and cracked or dry and peeling, and your dog’s nose may change color or lose its normal bumpy appearance.

These are sure indications that you should contact your vet.

What does it mean if my dog’s nose is dry?

It’s best to look at what is going on with your dog as a whole when you are trying to interpret the significance of a dry nose. As you can see, there are a number of reasons that a dog might have a dry snout. Some of them are harmless and go away on their own. However, others do require a trip to the vet.

Signs you should take your dog to the vet

Generally, any time something has changed for your four-legged friend, you should consider getting him or her checked out by your vet. Here are some signs that definitely warrant a vet visit:

Severe dehydration or sunken eyes
Crusting, bleeding, or peeling of your dog’s nose
Nasal discharge
Excessive sneezing or reverse sneezing
Change in the color of your dog’s nose that is not typical for him or her (i.e. not the normal seasonal variation in nose color seen in some dog breeds)
Loss of normal “cobblestone” appearance of the nose (i.e. loss of the tiny bumps)
Dryness of one side of a dog’s nose

Labrador Retrievers and other dog breeds may sometimes have a seasonal variation in nose color. But if you notice a color change that is out of the ordinary for your dog, contact your vet.

What can be done about a dry nose?

In most cases, no treatment is needed when you notice your dog’s nose is a little dry but don’t see any of the other signs listed above. Perhaps your dog may have just woken up or got a little dehydrated after heavy exercise. Offer him or her some water and see if that helps.

However, if your dog’s nose is sore and crusty or you notice the signs listed above, it’s best to visit your vet to rule out anything more serious. He or she will carefully examine your dog’s nose and the rest of your dog as well.

In some cases your vet may want to biopsy your dog’s nose. He or she will do this by collecting a small tissue sample from your dog’s nose and sending it to a veterinary pathologist for evaluation under the microscope. This technique is especially helpful for diagnosing autoimmune diseases because the cells will have a distinctive appearance. With these conditions, having a definitive diagnosis is important because the treatment involves immunosuppressive medications.

If your vet suspects your dog has hyperkeratosis or a breed-related dry nose, you’ll be happy to hear that this is often just a cosmetic issue. However, because it can lead to fissures and bleeding, it’s a good idea to try to soften and remove the excessive crusty material.

Applying a balm to increase hydration can be helpful. You can try lanolin or puncturing a Vitamin E capsule and rubbing the liquid contents on the nose. Commercially available products such as Snout Soother® are also popular. Another good option is Dermoscent BIO BALM®, which has been shown to improve hydration and suppleness of the nose when used daily. Ensure you do not accidentally obstruct your dog’s nostrils when you apply any of these nose balms.

Some breeds, like Bull Dogs and Boxers, are prone to nasal hyperkeratosis.

Good news for the dry nose dilemma

The next time you are wondering why your dog’s nose is dry, think through the causes we talked about. Was your dog sleeping or hot? Is it dry in your house? Or are you seeing other concerning signs like a cracking, bleeding, or sore nose? Is your dog acting normal or is he or she showing other possible signs of disease? These questions will help you decide if you should call your vet or offer your dog some water, give it some time, and see what happens.

When in doubt though, it is always best to check in with your vet. The good news about a dry nose is that most of the time it isn’t going to be a big deal for your dog. However, some health issues such as persistent dehydration and autoimmune disease do need to be addressed.

A dog’s nose gives him or her an amazing sense of smell. With the help of your veterinarian, you can keep your beloved dog’s nose looking good and working well for years to come.