Concerned owners frequently ask if a dry nose means a sick dog, and the short answer is no. There are any many reasons for your dog to have a dry warm nose that have nothing to do with his health.
For example, a dry nose can simply result from a dog lying in the sun, near a source of heat, or in a room with poor air circulation. In fact, your dog's nose may vary from wet and dry several times over the course of a day.
Take care
Looking at a dog's nose is a good way to check for some other problems. Dogs with pale or pink noses are susceptible to sun burn. If your dog has a dry, red nose or the nasal skin is flaking it may be that it is sunburnt.
Talk to your vet about what sort of suntan lotion to use on your dog. Protecting dogs that are susceptible to sunburn is important because repeated sunburn can lead to skin cancer. If your dog's nose is cracked and there are scabs or sores your dog may have a skin disorder and it would be wise to take him to the vet to get checked out.
Tasty Tips
When examining your dog's nose another thing to look for is a dog's nasal discharge. If your dog's nose runs, the mucus should be clear. If your dog is producing bubbly, thick, yellow, green or even black mucus you should certainly have him checked by a vet.
A runny nose could also indicate a health issue in a dog. Extra nasal discharge might indicate a serious underlying issue, such as an upper respiratory infection.
While typically a dog's wet — or dry — nose is nothing to be concerned about, it can be one subtle sign of a larger medical issue. Most often, if a dog's dry nose is something to be worried about, you'll see changes in your dog's behavior, such as lethargy, poor appetite or vomiting, that indicates a visit to a vet is necessary. If he seems as spry as ever, it is likely nothing to be concerned about, but still worth monitoring him just in case.
Sniffing out the true meaning of your dog's dry nose allows you to determine if it's healthy or a symptom about which you should be concerned.
Related products
Adult Light Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Light Adult Wet Dog Food is a complete premium pet food for adult dogs that tend to gain weight easily. This deliciously smooth loaf is formulated to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to support weight maintenance in adult dogs.
Large Breed Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Large Breed Adult Dog Food with Lamb & Rice is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food is specifically designed to fuel the energy needs of large breed dogs during the prime of their life.
Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Wet Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for adult dogs from 1 year. This deliciously smooth minced turkey loaf is formulated to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to support the needs of adult dogs.
Perfect Digestion Large Breed Puppy Food
Precisely balanced nutrition with Hill's ActivBiome+ prebiotic blend actively contributes to supporting digestive health and overall wellbeing to help your pet feel their best
Related articles
What should I do about my overweight dog?
Dog obesity is a significant problem - learn more about helping your dog become trimmer and healthier through improved nutrition.
Upset Stomach - How to Help with your Dog's Upset Stomach
Learn to see the signs of an upset stomach in your dog, understand the triggers and explore some possible solutions.
Digestive Disorders in Pets - Guide to Dog's Digestive Problems
Gurgling tummies in turmoil are not good news for pets. Owners who have to clean up the unfortunate consequences, digestive problems are one of the rare downsides to owning a pet.
Kidney Disease in Dogs: Causes, Signs & Treatments
Discover the causes, signs, and treatments of kidney disease in dogs and find methods of supporting your dog's kidney health. Learn more at Hill's Pet.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.