Does A Dry Dog Nose Mean My Dog Is Sick?

You might have noticed that your pup’s nose is often cold and wet, and maybe you’ve wondered why! You may have also heard that such a nose means your pup is healthy, while a warm, dry nose means a pup is sick.

This isn’t necessarily true, though, so let’s find out more about a pup’s nose first!

There is no sure reason for why a pup’s nose is wet and cold. Some propose that this is because a pup is always licking his nose to keep it clean, while others suggest that having a wet nose helps a pup absorb water droplets that carry scents so they can smell better. There’s also the theory that because pups don’t sweat through their skin, they use their wet noses as a means of evaporating heat. There’s also a fun little legend suggested by Dr. Stanley Coren, which states that pups got their wet noses as a reward from God for plugging up a hole in Noah’s ark.

Whatever the reason is, though, it’s important to know that all these theories suggest that a cold or wet nose has little to do with health. A dry nose can be a result of being in the sun or near heat, and pups often have warm and dry noses when they wake up from sleep. For some, it’s even normal to have chapped noses, especially as they age. Sometimes, dehydration or exertion can result in a dry or warm nose, too.

As such, you can’t judge your whole dog’s health based on his nose. If your pup has a dry nose but is acting normally, then he’s probably fine. But if that is accompanied with listlessness, lack of appetite, or obvious pain, then it’s cause for concern. You should also keep an eye out for redness, flaking, sores, or scabs around or on the nose, and be aware of nasal discharge. If sometimes seems amiss, take your pup to a vet, regardless of how their nose feels!

Hopefully, this article has helped you better understand how your dog’s nose works and what its temperature and state can mean. Do like and share if it was helpful!