1. Home
  2. Getting Started

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

This is the totally normal reason why your dog’s nose is cold

By

What a special moment it is to suddenly feel a cold, wet nose brush against your skin when cuddled on the couch with your best friend. You instinctively reach out to stroke your dog’s head and are rewarded with a soulful gaze. But did you ever wonder just why your dog’s nose feels cold and what exactly it means? Is it normal, or does it signal a health issue? A cold, wet nose is totally normal and serves the essential purpose of enhancing your dog’s sense of smell. Dogs’ noses naturally secrete a thin layer of mucus, helping to keep them cold and wet. Additionally, constant licking adds to the moisture of the nose.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

How cold, wet noses help dogs track scents

According to the American Kennel Club, a dog’s sense of smell is approximately 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than that of a human. Our dogs depend on their highly developed sense of smell to interpret their world, and cold, wet noses work better than warm, dry ones when it comes to tracking scents. When dogs inhale, tiny scent particles floating in the air get trapped in their nose mucus, which helps them break down and interpret odors, according to PetMD. Additionally, when a dog licks his nose, the tongue transfers scent particles trapped in the mucus into the dog’s mouth. There,  the tongue touches an olfactory gland called the Jacobson’s organ located on the roof of the dog’s mouth.

Recommended Videos

In a February 2020 study published in the journal Scientific Reports, a team of researchers from Sweden and Hungary found that dogs’ cold noses make them sensitive to radiating heat, which scientists believe might further help them track down warm-blooded prey.

Dog’s noses also help keep them cool

Enhancing their tracking ability isn’t the only reason a dog’s nose is cold and wet. Their noses also help regulate body temperature. Veterinary experts say that while dogs disperse some heat through their footpads and by panting, the nasal passages also help cool them down.

Should you ever be concerned about a dog’s wet nose?

Sometimes, a wet nose might mean there’s a problem. While clear nasal discharge is normal, an excessive amount of mucus or thick, discolored discharge could mean a health issue such as a sinus infection, and your dog should see a veterinarian.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What it means if your dog’s nose is warm and dry

While a cold, wet nose is normal, a dry, warm nose isn’t necessarily abnormal. If your dog has a dry, warm nose and is behaving normally, then chances are he’s just fine. However, if your dog’s nose is dry and cracked or if he has other symptoms such as listlessness or loss of appetite, then you should make an appointment to see a veterinarian.

Here are some common reasons why your dog’s nose might be warm and dry:

  • When a dog wakes up from a nap, it’s normal for his nose to be dry and warm. One of the reasons a dog’s nose is wet is because of the constant licking. Since dogs don’t lick while they are sleeping, their noses are dry when they wake up. It won’t be long before the licking starts and your dog’s nose will return to normal.
  • After vigorous exercise, a dog may be dehydrated, and one symptom of this is a dry, warm nose. Make sure your dog always has access to fresh, clean water.
  • During the winter months, many dogs like the comfort of lying near heating vents. This can lead to dry, cracked noses. Once the dog moves away from the heat source, their nose will typically return to being cold and moist.

Despite popular belief, veterinary experts say that the temperature and moistness of a dog’s nose are not a good overall indicator of his health. Both can change throughout the day depending on the environment or a dog’s behavior. So, instead of looking to your dog’s nose for clues on how he feels, pay attention to other signals that might indicate a health issue such as abnormal stool, lethargy, excessive weight loss, or changes in eating or drinking habits. If everything checks out, relax and enjoy the friendly nudge of a cold, wet nose during snuggle time with your pup.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Vera Lawlor
Contributor
Vera was the pet columnist for 201 Family magazine and has contributed pet and animal welfare articles to Bone-A-Fide Mutts…
Do puppies sleep a lot? These are the perfectly normal sleeping habits of a healthy pup
Puppies sleep a lot, but here's when it's normal and when to be concerned

Generally, puppies require abundant sleep — some will snooze up to 20 hours per day. Every pup is different, though and as they get older, the number of sleep hours decreases. By about 16 weeks of age, most dog breeds will be able to sleep through the night.

Sleep is an essential element of human and canine development. As anyone who has had a new puppy can tell you, it can be tough at first to get them into a good sleeping routine. Still, you'll want to make sure you and your new dog are rested and fit for all that life has to offer you. Here is everything you need to know about when your new puppy should be sleeping through the night and the answer to the question, "Do puppies sleep a lot?"

Read more
Why does my dog smell like Fritos? It’s weird, but there could be an underlying health issue
Why your dog's feet smell like corn chips and what to do

A dog's nose knows. Dogs' noses have more than 300,000 olfactory receptors, making them a powerful tool for canines as they explore their world. The nose is also an indicator of health. Yet, what if your nose picks up a smell that seems suspicious? Specifically, you may be wondering, "Why does my dog smell like Fritos?"

If you had some corn chips recently and shared them with your dog (or they helped themselves), there's your answer. However, perhaps you're more of a Cheetos kind of person or prefer to get your crunchy fix with something sweet, like fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. The answer is less obvious. You may smell a trip to the vet coming. Are your instincts on track? Maybe. Here's why your dog's paws might smell like Fritos and what to do about it.

Read more
Why does my dog have diarrhea? (and when it’s time to see the vet)
Your dog has the runs — should you run to the vet?

Being a dog parent can be a joyful experience — no matter what your boss thinks of you, you can count on your pup to show you affection when you walk in the door. In exchange for their unconditional love and affection, dogs require that we take care of them and — sigh — pick up their poop (your neighborhood's code enforcement requires the latter, to be more precise). Cleaning up after a dog also gives pet parents a role they may not have expected when they brought their furry friend home: Poop inspector.

Poop is a sign of a dog's overall health. Regular, firm stool that resembles a caterpillar is one sign your pup is feeling well. If the stool is loose, you may need an answer to the question, "Why does my dog have diarrhea?" That depends. While we can't answer the question definitively, we can provide some common causes of diarrhea and what to do.

Read more