What does it mean when your dogs nose is dry

As a dog parent, how often have you thought to yourself, “Why is my dog’s nose dry? Do I need to call the vet?” It can be hard to know what to make of your dry-nosed pup, but integrative veterinarian, Dr. Julie Buzby, is here to help. She describes how a dog’s nose stays wet, lists eight reasons for a dry nose, and explains when a vet visit is in order.

Did you know that part of your dog’s amazing ability to detect smell depends on your dog’s nose staying wet? That wet nose has a very important purpose. The moisture traps odors and helps give your dog his or her amazing sense of smell.

So, should you be concerned if your dog’s nose is suddenly dry? During my years as a veterinarian, I have talked to countless dog parents who were worried because they noticed their pup’s nose was dry and warm rather than being cold and wet. It is understandable that they would be concerned because most people have heard the old wives’ tale that says a warm, dry nose means a dog is sick.

Thankfully, although there are a lot of reasons for a dry nose, the majority of them aren’t a cause for concern. To understand why your dog’s nose may be dry, first let’s discover how your dog’s nose gets wet.

What keeps your dog’s nose cool and wet?

There are two ways your dog’s nose gets wet. First, special glands beneath the surface of your dog’s nose produce mucus. This mucus coats the surface of your dog’s nose, keeping it moist. 

Second, you’ve probably noticed your dog licking his or her nose regularly, right? This frequent licking keeps your dog’s nose wet and primed for amazing odor detection.

This is important for your dog’s sense of smell, and it’s why your furry family member is 10,000 to 100,000 times better at detecting odors than you are. Amazing, right? An intriguing article from the PBS science series NOVA describes more about dogs’ dazzling sense of smell.

Now that you understand how your dog’s nose normally stays wet, let’s talk about what it means when your dog’s nose is dry. Some of these eight reasons for a dry nose are completely harmless while others are more worrisome.

1. Sleeping

This one is pretty simple. When your dog is fast asleep, he or she is too busy dreaming to be licking his or her nose. Dogs will often have a dry nose when they first wake up, but it will soon become wet again once they resume their usual licking. 

2. Dehydration

Hard exercise, not having a drink of water for a while, or illness can all cause your dog to become dehydrated. This can dry out the surface of the nose. In mild cases of dehydration, the dryness resolves once your dog has a big drink of water. If it persists beyond a few days or if your dog is showing other signs of illness, it’s best to have your vet check him or her out.

3. Breed

Dogs with short snouts are referred to as brachycephalic (which literally means “short-headed”). This includes dog breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers. Because of their adorable smushed faces, these dogs usually have trouble getting their tongue to reach their noses. Since they may not be able to lick their noses effectively, this means they will have a drier nose than their longer-nosed counterparts do.

4. High body temperature or fever

Increased body heat can dry out your dog’s nose. This may happen if it’s really warm outside. (By the way, hot weather also can put your dog at risk for heatstroke in dogs). Alternatively, sometimes a dog who has a fever will have a dry nose. Typically if fever is the culprit, your dog will show other symptoms as well. These may include being a lethargic dog or having a decreased appetite. Any of these signs warrant a trip to see your vet.

5. Low humidity

It’s not only on hot summer days that your dog may have a dry nose. In the winter, your pup may like to warm up beside the heater or another heat source. The low humidity can quickly dry out his or her nose. The good news is this isn’t a cause for concern.

6. Sunburn

A dog’s nose is one of the most susceptible places to sunburn, particularly if your canine companion happens to have a pale nose. A sunburn can cause your dog’s snout to become red, sore, cracked, or dry. Luckily, there are many dog-friendly sunscreens you can use on your dog’s nose to keep him or her safe on a sunny day. 

7. Nasal hyperkeratosis

This is the term for when the surface of the nose is dry and cracked or crusty. It can happen for several different reasons. For example, nasal hyperkeratosis is common in many breeds (like Cocker Spaniels) as well as senior dogs of all breeds. However, in some cases a crusty nose can be a sign of illness. It is best to check with your vet before assuming this is just breed or age-related hyperkeratosis.

8. Autoimmune diseases

Several autoimmune diseases can cause changes to your dog’s nose. In these diseases, the immune system goes a little haywire and attacks the cells in specific areas like the surface of your dog’s nose.

Two of the more common autoimmune skin conditions that affect the nose are systemic lupus erythematosus and pemphigus. In these conditions, the surface of your dog’s nose may start to bleed or ulcerate. Sometimes the nose will be dry and cracked or dry and peeling, and your dog’s nose may change color or lose its normal bumpy appearance.

These are sure indications that you should contact your vet. 

What does it mean if my dog’s nose is dry?

It’s best to look at what is going on with your dog as a whole when you are trying to interpret the significance of a dry nose. As you can see, there are a number of reasons that a dog might have a dry snout. Some of them are harmless and go away on their own. However, others do require a trip to the vet.

Signs you should take your dog to the vet

Generally, any time something has changed for your four-legged friend, you should consider getting him or her checked out by your vet. Here are some signs that definitely warrant a vet visit:

• Severe dehydration or sunken eyes
• Crusting, bleeding, or peeling of your dog’s nose
• Nasal discharge
• Excessive sneezing or reverse sneezing
• Change in the color of your dog’s nose that is not typical for him or her (i.e. not the normal seasonal variation in nose color seen in some dog breeds)
• Loss of normal “cobblestone” appearance of the nose (i.e. loss of the tiny bumps)
• Dryness of one side of a dog’s nose

What can be done about a dry nose?

In most cases, no treatment is needed when you notice your dog’s nose is a little dry but don’t see any of the other signs listed above. Perhaps your dog may have just woken up or got a little dehydrated after heavy exercise. Offer him or her some water and see if that helps.

However, if your dog’s nose is sore and crusty or you notice the signs listed above, it’s best to visit your vet to rule out anything more serious. He or she will carefully examine your dog’s nose and the rest of your dog as well.

In some cases your vet may want to biopsy your dog’s nose. He or she will do this by collecting a small tissue sample from your dog’s nose and sending it to a veterinary pathologist for evaluation under the microscope. This technique is especially helpful for diagnosing autoimmune diseases because the cells will have a distinctive appearance. With these conditions, having a definitive diagnosis is important because the treatment involves immunosuppressive medications.

If your vet suspects your dog has hyperkeratosis or a breed-related dry nose, you’ll be happy to hear that this is often just a cosmetic issue. However, because it can lead to fissures and bleeding, it’s a good idea to try to soften and remove the excessive crusty material.

Applying a balm to increase hydration can be helpful. You can try lanolin or puncturing a Vitamin E capsule and rubbing the liquid contents on the nose. Commercially available products such as Snout Soother® are also popular. Another good option is Dermoscent BIO BALM®, which has been shown to improve hydration and suppleness of the nose when used daily. Ensure you do not accidentally obstruct your dog’s nostrils when you apply any of these nose balms.

Good news for the dry nose dilemma

The next time you are wondering why your dog’s nose is dry, think through the causes we talked about. Was your dog sleeping or hot? Is it dry in your house? Or are you seeing other concerning signs like a cracking, bleeding, or sore nose? Is your dog acting normal or is he or she showing other possible signs of disease? These questions will help you decide if you should call your vet or offer your dog some water, give it some time, and see what happens.

When in doubt though, it is always best to check in with your vet. The good news about a dry nose is that most of the time it isn’t going to be a big deal for your dog. However, some health issues such as persistent dehydration and autoimmune disease do need to be addressed.

A dog’s nose gives him or her an amazing sense of smell. With the help of your veterinarian, you can keep your beloved dog’s nose looking good and working well for years to come.

Has your dog ever had problems with a dry nose?

Please share any helpful hints you have for other dog parents who are in a similar position.