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Better than any alarm clock, your dog’s nose working its way under your covers first thing in the morning has any uncanny ability to get you up and moving. The cool wet nose can interrupt any dream. Though your groggy mind might not immediately register it at the time, later on you may wonder, “Why are dog noses wet anyway?”
Wet noses in dogs are par for the course in dogs, most of the time. But should dog noses be wet? Is it ok for dog noses to be dry?
Why Are Dog Noses Wet
Wetness and cold are rarely associated with good things except when we’re talking about a dog’s nose. That wetness serves a couple of important purposes making it an important part of a healthy nose.
Functions of Moisture
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, much better than our own. Smell and vision are their primary means of gathering information about their world, and when it comes to smell, wetter is better. Scent particles are better able to stick to a wet surface, allowing a dog’s nose more contact time to analyze them.
Along with smell, moisture also plays a role in cooling a dog down. Dogs don’t get the luxury of a full body sweat the way that we do, making them candidates for heat stroke if it’s overly hot. Instead, they have to rely on evaporation of moisture mainly from panting and a little bit from sweat glands on the paw pads and nose.
Where Does a Dog's Wet Nose Come From?
The moisture on a dog’s nose has to come from somewhere, it doesn’t just come out of thin air. Well, not exactly anyway. The skin on the end of the nose contains glands that secrete a thin mucus covering to help maintain that perpetual wetness. Dogs lick their nose as a way to keep it clean and increase evaporation. Dogs also get their nose wet when they stick it in places it does and doesn’t belong, such as wet grass and dirt and their water bowl.
The Normal and Abnormal of a Dog’s Wet Nose
For most dogs, a wet, cool nose is a sign of health and normalcy, but anything other than isn’t necessarily negative. You’re going to see some changes in nose wetness with breeds, age, changes in the environment, and even throughout the day.
Age-Related Changes: As dogs age, their nose may get drier, thicker and more cracked. This is usually a normal aging process, but be sure to talk to your vet if your dog’s nose makes a sudden change or is bothering them.
Breed-Specific Considerations: Since licking is one way that a dog nose gets wet, facial anatomy that impedes licking may lead to a drier nose. Brachycephalic breeds, such as Boston terriers and Boxer dogs, may naturally have a nose that’s less wet.
Environmental Factors: Hot weather and exercise are going to increase evaporation across all surfaces, including the nasal skin.
Warning Signs: Any sudden changes in your dog’s nasal moisture levels may be cause for concern. That means a sudden dryness or even increased moisture due to clear or colored discharge. These are especially important if combined with other signs, like a decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing.
Common Nose-Related Health Conditions
A dog’s nose is one of their windows to the world, but it’s also a prime area for things to go wrong. Changes in the moistness may be one clue that something is wrong.
Respiratory Infections
The respiratory tract does a pretty good job of clearing irritants and microbes, but sometimes it can become overwhelmed, allowing an infection to set in. Most respiratory infections, such as kennel cough, lead to increased nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing. You may also see a decreased appetite and difficulty breathing if severe.
Allergies
If a change in season brings you sneezing and itchy eyes, then you’re well aware of allergies and how they can affect the nose. A dog is no different with things like pollen, mold, chemicals, and smoke causing an increase in nasal discharge, sneezing, and an itchy nose.
Skin Conditions
A dog’s nose is just skin after all, so it’s not immune to conditions that can affect other areas as well. Sunburn, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infections can all show up with redness, scaling, crusting, discharge, or growths on the nose.
Injuries
Your dog uses their nose to explore, which includes sticking it in various places, some safer than others. Injuries to the nose are pretty common. You may see cuts or abrasions on the outside of the nose, or your dog may sniff something up inside that can lead to sneezing, nasal discharge, or even bleeding.
When to Seek Professional Help for Your Dog’s Nose
Your dog’s nose is an important part of who they are and how they function. You’ll want to keep it safe and functional, so see your veterinarian any time something is off with their nose. It may be something in the appearance, moisture level, or how your dog is acting that alerts you that something is wrong. You’ll definitely want to see a vet immediately if your dog is having difficulty breathing or bleeding that won’t stop.
What to Expect During a Veterinary Exam
While your dog’s nose may normally be in the middle of everything, it can actually be a hard thing to get a good look at, especially if your vet needs to see up inside. Sometimes your vet may need to sedate your dog to get the best look. This is especially true of foreign bodies, tumors, or issues stemming from up inside the nasal cavity. Your vet may need to take samples of your dog’s nose, something that sedation helps with as well.
What does sedation mean besides giving your vet a better look inside the nose? It often means a higher bill, but don’t worry, dog insurance can help cover the costs associated with unplanned injuries or illness, including nose issues.
When it comes to dry or wet dog nose issues, the costs can vary widely depending on the underlying cause and the required treatment. A routine office visit for a consultation might cost anywhere from $50 to $150. If your vet needs to sedate your dog for a more thorough examination, the bill could increase significantly, potentially ranging from $200 to $600 or more. More advanced diagnostics, like a rhinoscopy (looking inside the nose with a camera) to remove a foreign object or biopsy a growth, can run into the thousands. Treatment for chronic conditions or surgery for tumors can be even more expensive. Having a pet insurance policy can help manage these unexpected costs, giving you the freedom to make medical decisions based on your pet’s needs, not your finances.
Prevention and Daily Care of Dog Noses
Keep your dog’s nose in tiptop shape by giving them the support they need. Good quality food and exercise are part of the plan, so is regular cleaning and monitoring. Apply dog-safe sunscreen if your pup is to be outside for long stretches and keep them on a leash when out walking to prevent them from putting it in compromising positions.
For your dog’s nose and overall health, visit your veterinarian regularly. There’s no better way to catch issues early than keeping your vet up to date. Look into optional wellness plans for dogs that can be added to your pet insurance plan to take some of the financial strain away from expected expenses so that you can focus on your dog’s lifelong health.
Why Are Dog Noses Wet?
A dog’s nose serves many important functions, most of which work better with a little moisture. That’s why your dog’s nose is often cool and wet, but that doesn’t mean that a dry nose is caused by something sinister. Speak to your vet if you have any questions about what’s normal for your dog’s nose or if you notice something off.
So the next time that cool, wet nose wakes you, remember it's not just an alarm clock—it's a vital tool your dog uses to navigate their world and a simple, yet important, sign of their health.