A commonly held belief states that a wet nose is a sign of optimal canine health, however, in truth it’s perfectly normal for a dog’s nose to alter from wet to dry throughout their day. Your dog’s nose is an amazing structure that informs them of the world around them, helps them communicate, and has up to 300 million olfactory scent receptors (compared to the 6 million humans have). Below we describe why your dog’s nose may be either wet or dry, and what benefits canines gain from having a wet nose.

What Does a Wet Nose Mean?

When up and about during the daytime, dogs will typically have cool and wet noses. Whether it’s from mucus glands inside their nostrils contributing to the moisture, or saliva from licking their nose, a dog’s nose can moisten through multiple different ways. While individual canines and breeds vary, a wet nose generally benefits a dog in a few distinct ways, including:

• Sense of Smell: Scent particles stick to the moisture on a dog’s nose, which improves their sense of smell. Additionally, dog’s commonly lick their nose to transfer those scent particles to their tongue which helps them detect and read scents in a more detailed way.
• Regulate Body Temperature: Dogs don’t sweat in the same way humans do, so the saliva evaporating from your furry friend’s nose and mouth is their way of maintaining their internal temperature.
• Nose Cleanliness: Canines explore the world with their nose and sometimes this can lead to dirt, dust, and debris stuck to their sniffer. A quick lick can clean their nose, which leaves a moist aftermath.

It’s important to keep in mind that a wet nose isn’t always a good sign when it comes to your dog’s health. If their nose is overtly wet, especially if they’re behaving lethargically, then an upper respiratory infection may be present. When they catch allergies or an infection, dogs will experience runny noses in the same way as humans do.

What Does a Dry Nose Mean?

A dry nose doesn’t always indicate health problems as some breeds just tend to have a drier nose due to genetics. Listed below are some causes as to why your dog’s nose may be dry:

• Dry Conditions: Dog’s may experience a dry nose if they’re in a warm and dry climate. If you notice your dog’s nose becoming uncomfortably chapped, consider rubbing a soothing balm on their nose.
• Sleeping: Dog’s typically get dry noses when they sleep as a result of not drinking water and the absence of licking their nose. If your dog wakes up with a dry nose, it should moisten up again as soon as they rehydrate.
• Exercise: Rigorous exercise can dry out your dog’s nose, make sure they’re drinking water afterwards to counteract this dryness.
• Old Age: Canine’s sinuses naturally produce less mucus as they age, which results in a dry nose.

A dry nose may be a cause of concern if you believe your dog is suffering from allergies, dehydration, or a host of other health problems which result in a dry nose. Consult your veterinarian immediately if, in addition to their dry nose, your dog is experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, or not eating their meals.

Ensure Optimal Canine Health

To ensure that your dog’s overall health is optimal, it’s important to make sure that your furry friend’s diet is biologically correct and healthy. The correct amount and type of food you should feed you dog depends primarily on their age, weight, and activity level. Originally formulated to help performance dogs reach their maximum potential, Canine Ultimate Fitness & Health is a delicious, concentrated nutritional powder, providing a balanced blend of 55 nutrients your dog needs for better health, increased activity, maximized performance, the prevention of age-related diseases, and ultimately a longer, healthier, and more enjoyable life.