Why Are Dogs Noses Wet? The Surprising Reasons

A common misconception among dog owners is that you can tell how healthy your dog is by examining their nose. While it is true that a dog’s nose can show signs of disease, there are no hard and fast rules about what a healthy dog’s nose should look like. Instead, you should write down what’s normal for your dog. Then, you’ll be able to notice when things go wrong. So, why does a dog’s nose get wet and keep it wet? When should you worry? Let’s see what the experts say.

What Is Normal For A Dog’s Nose?

Conventional wisdom holds that a healthy dog’s nose will be cold and clammy. This is true for dogs that are awake and moving around. However, it is not uncommon for a sleeping dog to have a warm and dry nose.

Plus, every dog ​​is different. Some people have noses that are always slightly dry and warm, even when they are perfectly happy and healthy. When it comes to a dog’s nose, there are no hard and fast rules. However, you do need to know your dog.

Finally, humidity levels can affect how wet your dog’s nose is. You can expect your dog’s nose to dry out in drought conditions when there isn’t much moisture in the air.

Why is a dog’s nose wet?

So where does all the fuss about dogs with wet noses come from? It arose because a moist nose has some important benefits for dogs.

A wet nose is better at sniffing

Let’s start by looking at the main function of a dog’s nose – the sense of smell. The sense of smell is very important to dogs. They get far more information about their environment from smell than from appearance or sound. This is because dogs have very sensitive noses. They have more than 100 million sensory receptors, compared to 6 million in humans. Dogs also have a special organ called the Jacobson’s organ that detects chemical messages sent by other dogs. Among other things, the part of their brain that receives and interprets chemical and odor information is 40 times larger than a comparable area in the human brain.

It’s clear that ancient dogs living in the wild needed a good sense of smell to survive. That means anything that sharpens their sense of smell gives them a better chance of survival. The bottom line is that a wet nose works better. Scent particles stick to them better and are therefore more easily detected by dogs.

wet nose to prevent infection

Moisture around a dog’s nose protects delicate cells. It also helps humidify the air before it enters your dog’s respiratory system. This keeps the tubes leading to the lungs (trachea and bronchi) healthy and resistant to bacteria and viruses that can cause chest infections. This means that a wet nose is very beneficial when it comes to defending against germs.

Wet noses help dogs cool down

Dogs have a completely different cooling mechanism than humans. They don’t sweat like we do, but pant. However, their nose is one of the few parts of the body that sweats. As it evaporates, it drains energy from the surface of the nose and cools the blood circulating in the area.

So, dogs with wet noses are better at cooling themselves down.

How do dogs’ noses get wet?

Now we know that a wet nose has several benefits for dogs, but where does the moisture come from? We need to consider three sources.

snot

The lining inside a dog’s nose is made up of specialized cells that produce a thick fluid called nasal mucus。 It sounds gross, but it plays an important role in keeping your dog’s nose and respiratory system working properly. Some mucus will end up on the nose pads.

nose sweat

Your dog’s nose pads contain merocrine sweat glands, which function similarly to human sweat glands. They produce only a small amount of sweat. However, when it evaporates, it will help your dog cool down.

Often, dogs with wet noses are just sweating – it has nothing to do with how healthy they are!

saliva

A dog’s nose can also get wet from licking. Dogs have long tongues, so even dogs with long noses can do it. However, not all dogs are bothered to do this often!

Dogs lick their noses for several reasons. The main purpose is to keep the nose clean. They will often have some food on them after eating and need a quick lick to remove the food particles. Also, dogs that sniff a lot will spend a lot of time keeping their noses close to the ground. Their noses inhale dust and pollen particles, which need to be removed with their tongues. It also plays a role in how they “smell” things with their Jacobson’s organ. It’s located between the nose and mouth, and both have receptors. When chemical messages get trapped in the mucus on the nasal pads, they can be wiped off by the tongue and carried to the Jacobson’s organ on the roof of the mouth.

moisture from the environment

As they sniff their surroundings, dogs stick their noses into wet areas, and some of the moisture ends up on their noses. Often, this will be wet grass or leaves, shrubs, bushes or even puddles and streams.

Can a dog’s nose be too wet?

When it comes to wet noses, is it possible to have too much of a good thing? Yes, you should be wary of your dog’s nose being too wet. Here are some conditions that can cause it.

respiratory infection

Upper respiratory infections are the main cause, unfortunately these are very common in dogs. Bacteria or viruses invade the cells lining the nose and the airways that lead to the lungs. The cells respond by producing more mucus than normal. Brachycephalic breeds, such as pugs and French bulldogs, suffer from respiratory infections most often because of their unusually shaped nasal passages. Typically, the mucus will be green or slightly bloody and may leave a crust on the outside of the nose. Your dog may need antibiotics to clear up this infection, so take them to the vet.

Allergy

Allergies can cause a dog’s nose to become irritated, and in response, it produces excess mucus. Then, your dog licks his nose excessively because it’s uncomfortable, which irritates him even more and thus produces more mucus. You may also see your dog scratching his nose, which may look sore and irritated.

There are many allergens in the environment and food that can cause this reaction. You need veterinary help to figure out the source of the problem. If there is a problem with the food, you may need to switch to a special food suitable for allergic dogs. Dogs can also take anti-allergy medications prescribed by a veterinarian.

Nervous Problems and Anxiety

Some conditions can cause a dog to lick their nose excessively, making it too wet and irritated. There are several seizure and neurological conditions that can make a dog’s brain think their nose is constantly itchy. The delicate skin of the nose can take a lot of damage, and veterinary medication is often needed to keep it under control.

Is the dog’s nose too dry?

A dry nose isn’t always a sign that your dog is sick. However, if your dog’s nose is drier than usual, or if the nose dryness cannot be explained by their sleep or lack of moisture in the air, it could mean something is wrong.

So, while there are natural variations in the moisture content of a dog’s nose, at times you may notice that your dog’s nose is too dry. Below is a list of potential causes.

sunburn

Most of your dog’s body is covered with thick fur, so sunburn is not a major problem for them. However, their delicate noses are fully exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet and infrared rays. A dog’s nose can get sunburned, resulting in dry, red, and cracked noses. This needs to be treated by a veterinarian to prevent excessive licking of the area and infection.

You can purchase special sunscreens for dogs to protect your dog’s sensitive nose from the sun.

dehydration

Dehydration is a serious condition that can cause a dry nose. This could be related to the high temperature, or it could be a sign of heat stroke. You may also notice that your dog has sunken eyes and pale gums. They usually appear weak. It is important to see a veterinarian as they may require IV fluids.

Dogs should not be allowed to run around in very hot temperatures as they cannot cool down quickly enough afterwards. In hot weather, keep your dog indoors and encourage them to lie down on a cool mat.

skin condition

There are a variety of potential causes of skin conditions in dogs. These include parasites and autoimmune diseases. They all require investigation and treatment by your veterinarian.

brachycephalic breed

These dogs are most likely to have a dry nose, which can cause them some problems. Their tongues are shorter than most other dogs, and they cannot lick their noses. Never use body moisturizers as this can cause irritation. Instead, you can try some nasal balms specially designed for dogs.

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