Dog Dry Nose: Causes, Care At Home & When It’s Serious

Commonly, dog owners think that dogs should always have a wet, cold nose. This means they are healthy. This is why many people believe that dog dry nose comes with sickness and illness.  

Dog noses are fascinating. They don’t just use it for breathing, but they also drain excessive tears through the tear ducts. Moreover, they explore the world with their nose. They sniff around and collect information through the nasal passage. 

But, like most people believe, a dry nose does not always mean that your dog is sick. Dogs often develop a dry nose when they are sleeping. Moreover, they usually get a dry nose when they are dehydrated, sunburnt, and ill. 

What Does A Normal Dog’s Nose Look Like?

In general, a dog’s nose looks wet. Dogs have a sense of smell, and they decode the world through it. The scent particles stick to the moist surface of the nose. Moreover, the wet nose helps the dog cool down on hot days.  

It is a lot like how they pant excessively to lower their body temperature. Also, the lining of their nose has special mucus-producing glands to keep their passageways moist and produces a clear, watery fluid to keep them cool. 

They lick their nose regularly to keep them clean. They sniff around whenever they can, and pollen and dirt often collect on their nostrils. Licking serves different purposes. It keeps their nose wet, and they also interpret small tastes through it. 

Dog Dry Nose: What Are The Common Causes?

Dog dry nose can happen for various reasons. It can occur when they are sleeping, because of heat stroke, sunburn, illness, or dehydration. Here are some of the common causes. 

1. They Were sleeping 

Dogs get a dry nose when they are sleeping. This happens because dogs don’t lick their nose when they are sleeping. They get a wet nose mostly because they keep licking it, so if you notice a dry nose right after they have woken up, then there is nothing to worry about.  

2. Illness 

Dogs get a dry nose when they are ill. However, if they are sick, you will notice other symptoms apart from a dry nose. The moment you notice other symptoms, you need to consult a vet. This could be something worrisome. 

3. Dehydrated 

This can happen from strenuous exercise, especially during the hot days. You need to ensure that they have access to a lot of cool, fresh water. Be careful, look out for signs of dehydration, and consult a vet if needed. 

4. Heat Stroke 

This is something very serious. This happens when their body temperature rises dangerously because of heat exposure. Along with a dry nose, you will notice other symptoms like excessive panting, seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. 

5. Sunburn 

Yes, dogs can also get sunburn, and this can happen on their nose. This is one of the major causes behind their dry and irritated nose. To make them more comfortable and prevent any further complications, you can consult your vet for additional advice. 

6. Allergies 

Dogs can be allergic, similar to humans, and a major symptom of their allergy is a dry nose. You need to consult your vet to understand the cause behind the allergy and get them prescribed medication to relieve their dry nose. 

7. Auto-immune Disease 

This is not very common, and this is not something people generally think of when they notice a dog dry nose. Autoimmune diseases like pemphigus or lupus erythematosus can cause the nose to dry out. It often crusts and cracks. 

When Does It Become A Cause For Concern? 

A dog dry nose becomes a cause for concern if you notice the following: 

There are other symptoms that they are sick. 

You notice signs of severe dehydration. 

They have a sunburn on their nose. 

They are showing signs of heat stroke.  

How To Take Care Of A Dry Nose At Home?

If you want to take care of their dry nose at home, first make sure they have access to plenty of water. Use a dog-safe nose balm or some alternative like coconut oil. However, ensure that you never use any human medicine on them. 

Here are a few tips that you can use to take care of them at home. 

Keep them hydrated: Ensure that they have access to cool, fresh water all the time. Moreover, you can add water to their dry food to increase their water intake. 

Use natural oils: Shea butter or coconut oil is a safe and natural option that you can apply to their nose for dryness. Pick high-quality, unrefined products that does not have any additives. 

Use a dog-safe balm: You should use a dog-safe nose balm to keep their nose protected and moisturized. You will find these in online pet stores or something that your vet recommends. 

Keep them protected from the sun: If your dog’s nose is light colored, you need to apply sunscreen to protect them from sunburn, which can cause cracking and dryness. 

Add moisture to the air: If you live in a dry climate, using a humidifier can benefit your nose. 

What To Expect At The Vet: Diagnostic & Treatment Path

If you notice any other symptom apart from dog dry nose, you need to consult a vet and get them diagnosed. Generally, a vet will ask for their medical history and will conduct a physical exam.  

Moreover, they will suggest some other tests to diagnose the matter. Some of the diagnostic tests they perform frequently are: 

• Blood test 
• Ultrasounds 
• X-rays 
• Urine and fecal samples 

After they have figured out the root cause behind their dry nose, they choose the treatment path. For example, if this has happened because of dehydration, they will get better and their nose will be wet again after drinking water. 

If this is due to a serious issue or another autoimmune disease, a vet will prescribe appropriate medication with a proper dosage. 

Special Considerations 

Sometimes a dog’s breed, age, and weight also contribute to their dry nose. Moreover, it can also happen due to some medication. Here are some of the other cases when you might notice a dog dry nose.   

Brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs often find it difficult to lick their nose. You might even need to apply a moisturizer to keep their nose moist. Some other breeds, like Lhasa Apsos, often get blocked tear ducts, which also dry out their noses. 

Old age is also responsible for a dry nose in some dogs. If you notice a dry nose in your senior dog, you should apply a nose balm. 

Dogs often get dry nose during the winter season. If your dog sleeps right next to the vent to keep themselves warm, they can get a dry nose. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Dog dry nose is mostly harmless, but if you notice some other symptoms along with it, then you need to take them to a vet immediately. Here are some of the common questions people ask about this topic.