Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?

Why is my dog’s nose always wet?

Dogs use both sight and smell to assess their surroundings and to communicate, but dog brains focus on what the dog smells more than what he sees. A working nose is essential to canine survival — and wet noses work better than dry noses because scent particles stick better to damp surfaces.

Dogs have more than 100 million sensory receptor sites in the nasal cavity, compared to 6 million in people. The area of the canine brain devoted to analyzing odors is about 40 times larger than the comparable part of the human brain. 

In fact, it’s been estimated that dogs can smell 1,000 to 10,000 times better than people, partly because they have an additional olfactory tool called Jacobsen’s organ that increases their ability to smell. Jacobsen’s organ is located inside the nasal cavity and opens into the roof of the mouth behind the upper incisors. This amazing organ serves as a secondary olfactory system designed specifically for chemical communication.

Wet noses have another advantage: they help keep a dog cool. Dogs dissipate some heat through their foot pads and by panting, but use the nasal passages as a cooling mechanism, too.

How do dogs’ noses get wet?

Noses secrete mucus. The inner lining of a dog’s nose contains special glands that produce mucus to keep the nasal canals moist. A thin layer of mucus clings to the nostrils, enhancing the absorption of scent chemicals and improving the dog’s ability to smell. The special mucus glands inside the nostrils also produce clear, watery fluid that helps to cool the dog as it evaporates.

Dogs lick their noses. Dogs have long tongues that can easily reach the tip of the nose, even in long-nosed breeds like collies. Dogs lick their noses to keep them clean. Whether it’s food from the bowl, pollen from a flower, or dust under the couch, dog noses get dirty and need lots of licking to get clean again. Dogs also lick their noses to gather some of the scent particles inside the mouth. The mucus from the nose, laden with scent particles, is carried to the roof of the mouth where Jacobsen’s organ is located. Moisture is so important to the canine sense of smell that dogs learn to keep their nose moist and will instinctively lick their noses when they become dry.

Noses pick up moisture from the environment. The canine nose works hard. Dogs use their sense of smell, along with sight, to navigate the world – so they sniff a lot of things. Dogs probe with their noses when investigating something new, sticking them into everything from damp grass and leaves, to plants and puddles. In the process, the dog’s nose picks up moisture from the environment.

What does a dry nose mean?

A wet nose is normal, but a dry nose isn’t necessarily abnormal. Many people think a healthy dog has a cool, wet nose, and a sick pup has a warm, dry one, but that’s not always true. The nose’s temperature and moistness is not a good indicator of overall health status. Some healthy dogs have naturally dryer noses than others. Likewise, sick dogs can have cool, wet noses.

A healthy dog may have a warm, dry nose after a nap, or after extreme physical exertion associated with dehydration. Some dogs develop a chapped, dry nose as they age or after exposure to the elements (extreme wind or sun). Dry noses aren’t always a sign of trouble.

If your dog’s nose is hot and dry, but they’re acting normally, there is no cause for alarm. If a dry nose accompanies other signs of illness, such as lethargy or loss of appetite, you should consult your dog’s veterinarian. Also, if the skin around the nose becomes red or if the nose becomes cracked or develops sores, consult the veterinarian, as these signs can often be early indicators of autoimmune disease (disease in which the body’s immune system attacks itself).

What does an overly wet nose mean?

Dry noses can indicate trouble, but so can overly wet ones. Clear nasal discharge is normal. If you notice an overabundance of mucus or if the mucus becomes thick or discolored (green or yellowish), call your veterinarian. Nasal discharge can indicate respiratory infections or even foreign bodies in the nasal passages. Blood-tinged discharge can be a sign of certain infectious diseases like ticks, inflammation, or possibly cancer.