Skip to main content

Why is my dog’s nose warm? When it’s OK and when to see the vet

Is your dog's nose warm? Here are common reasons for it

A close-up of a bowl of kibble and the nose of a dog who approaches it
Jaromír Chalabala / Alamy Stock Photo

Your dog’s nose is the best tool on the market for sniffing and tackles many different activities throughout the day. The snout acts as the daily news, collecting scents like scraps of information to build a picture of the environment. It often doubles as a communication device, nuzzling the human hand to elicit a response. A dog’s nose serves as an internal thermostat, helping regulate body temperature.

Since it’s a temp controller, a dog’s nose can be warm, cold, wet, or dry, depending upon a few factors — the time of day, Fido’s level of activity, and weather conditions. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why is my dog’s nose warm?” —  forget what you think you know. Below, we’ll answer what it means when a dog’s nose is warm.

Closeup of a dog nose and smile
vilma3000 / Shutterstock

Why is my dog’s nose warm?

Before we answer that question, it’s probably a good idea to explain how a dog’s nose works.

Your pup’s nose is often wet because he licks it frequently to keep it moisturized. That might seem odd until you consider that a wet nose enhances his sense of smell. A moist snout helps trap scents better so that your dog’s 100 million scent receptors can go to work and tell him whose scent it is, what direction it’s coming from, and even if the human or animal he smells is fearful or anxious. The moisture left by licking that powerful instrument cools, and as a result, a dog’s nose is often cold.

But a warm, dry muzzle doesn’t always signal illness. It might be warm for a variety of reasons:

  • He may have been sleeping, a state in which he isn’t licking his nose.
  • It could be hot outside. As the temperatures increase, so does the likelihood that your dog’s nose will feel warm and dry to the touch. Monitor his water intake and make sure he doesn’t overheat.
  • It may be cold outside. If your dog sleeps next to an air vent, the circulating air may cause his nose to dry out, much like winter air can cause your throat to become dry and scratchy.
  • He may be older. Older dogs sleep more than younger dogs, which prevents them from licking their noses as much.
A pug stands in front of a pink background and licks whipped cream off of his nose
Casey Elise Christopher / Shutterstock

Some breeds are prone to dry noses

Additionally, a warm, dry nose may just be normal for your dog. Some dogs simply don’t lick their noses as much as others do. Others are prone to conditions that affect the natural moisture of their nose.

For example, dogs with short snouts, such as Pugs and Bulldogs, have difficulty licking their faces, which causes their noses to be naturally dryer. Other breeds, such as Lhasa apsos and cocker spaniels, often get blocked tear ducts. This prevents them from draining naturally into the nasal passage, which creates moisture.

Closeup, of black and white dog's nose
Allison Andrews / Shutterstock

Is a dog’s nose supposed to be warm?

The answer to this question requires nuance. Typically, a dog has a cold, wet nose. However, various factors can cause a dog’s nose to be warm, and not all of them are reasons for concern. For example, if the weather is hot outside, your dog’s nose may follow suit. Touch your nose and you may notice Mother Nature has had a similar effect on your body. Your pup may have also gotten sunburn, which can dry out the nose. Certain flat-faced or short-nosed breeds may also have warmer, drier noses because they physiologically cannot lick their noses like their long-snouted peers, such as a beagle.

Other times, your dog’s warm nose could be a sign of an underlying issue. For example, call a vet if your dog is not urinating, panting excessively, or running a fever.

black dog nose in gray blanket
Krichevtseva / Shutterstock

When you should call the vet

As you can see, using the temperature of your dog’s nose to gauge his health isn’t particularly reliable. Contrary to popular belief, a warm nose doesn’t mean your dog is sick; however, the following conditions warrant a call to your veterinarian:

  • Difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical assistance to rule out any lung or respiratory problems, as well as heartworm, heart disease, tumors, or allergies.
  • Abnormal discharge, which may signal anything from dental disease to allergies or a respiratory virus like parainfluenza or distemper.
  • Nosebleed, which may indicate an injury or infection in his respiratory tract.
  • Sore, itchy, or crusty nose, which is a sign your dog may be suffering from allergies, dehydration, or even a sunburn.
Dog up close to camera in the desert
HanySadek / Pixabay

Don’t panic if your pooch’s nose feels warm or dry

So, if your dog’s nose is warm to the touch, stay calm. Stop and consider whether the condition is a function of his activity level, age, or breed, and then look for other symptoms of distress. If there isn’t anything apparently wrong with his nose but he loses his appetite, starts sleeping more, drinks significantly less water, or begins vomiting or having diarrhea, there probably is something else going on.

Starting now, take note of Fido’s nose during the day. Notice when it’s cold and wet as well as when it’s warm and dry. Doing so will help you discover the logical reasons behind each condition, so you can determine what is normal for your particular pup. Then, you can use that benchmark to more accurately assess your dog’s overall health and more confidently know when it’s time to schedule a visit to the vet.

Editors' Recommendations

Debbie Clason
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Debbie Clason's work has appeared in Family Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Lutheran Witness, Massage Magazine…
Why does my dog have a bald patch on their tail? Here are the answers you need
Bald patches on a dog's tail can cause problems, so here's what to know
Two brown dogs lying on a wood laminate floor; the focus is on their tails.

Caring for a dog requires patience, time, and effort--but it also takes money. Still, it's worth it to see your dog happy and healthy. You'd do anything for them, so, it's only natural to worry when you discover something unusual on your dog, like a bald patch.

What does it mean when your pup starts losing hair? How worried should you be if you find a bald spot on your dog's tail? We'll take a deep dive into what dog hair loss means, what you can do to treat it, and when you should see the vet for a bald patch in your pup's fur. 

Read more
Do puppies sleep a lot? These are the perfectly normal sleeping habits of a healthy pup
Puppies sleep a lot, but here's what's normal and when to be concerned
Puppy sleeping on lap of human with mustard yellow sweater

Do puppies sleep a lot?

Generally, puppies require abundant sleep — about 6 to 10 hours daily. Every pup is different, though. Some puppies sleep 20 hours a day to maintain their high energy levels, but, by about 16 weeks of age, most breeds of dogs will be able to sleep through the night.

Read more
Could it be a dog paw infection? Signs, symptoms, and treatments for these pesky, painful issues
Dog paw infection 101: How to avoid and treat this problem
Dog paws on a wood slab

It's hard not to relish daily walks with your dog. You both get fresh air and much-needed exercise, and seeing your dog explore and discover the world is oh-so-fun. Afterward, you and your pup might even engage in a cozy snuggle session on the couch. What could be better?
Dogs also walk in small amounts at home, whether during a play session or a trip to the backyard, and paw health is essential to keep them comfortable and walking. If one or more of your dog’s paws gets injured or infected, mobility can be tricky, painful, and sometimes impossible. As a pet parent, the last thing you want is to see your fur baby in pain. Injuries might be inevitable, but understanding the causes, signs, and treatment for a dog paw infection can ensure your pet gets the proper care as soon as possible. After all, early detection and treatment can prevent the condition from getting worse.
Here’s what you need to know.

What causes a dog paw infection? You can help your pup avoid paw discomfort if you know what to look for
As much as we'd like to give you an easy answer, several factors can contribute to a paw infection. Here are a few common ones.

Read more