First thing’s first, don’t panic. A dog with a dry nose does not always mean he’s sick, this is just silly a myth.
FACT: A dog’s nose is wet on occasion due to the fact that some of their tear glands actually empty into their noses.
Reasons why your dog’s nose may be dry:
- Dehydration – be sure your pooch has plenty of fresh water to drink.
- Laying in the sun or spending time near heat source can dry out the membranes in the nose.
- He just woke from a nap. During naps your dog doesn’t lick his nose to promote moisture in the nasal area thus the nose will become dry.
- May be having a reaction from use of plastic bowls. The dryness of the nose can be an allergy symptom brought on by a reaction to the plastic they are being fed from. It’s best to use stainless steel or ceramic bowls to eliminate this concern.
When to be concerned:
- If your dog’s nose is flaking and peeling, they may have a sun burn. This is especially common on light skinned dogs. Good practice for light skinned dogs is apply baby sunscreen lotion to susceptible areas.
- If your dog’s nose is running, check the discharge color. The mucus running should be clear, just like ours. If it’s a different color they may be starting to get sick, best to consult your veterinarian.
- If your dog’s nose is starting to crack or appears to have scabs on it, best to consult your veterinarian to rule out an underlying health issue.
photo credit: Snickers via photopin (license)