Menu

Is a Wet Nose a Sign of a Healthy Pet?

image of a closeup of a dog's nose

Have you ever heard that a wet nose is a sign that your pet is healthy? Although that's often the case, it's not always true. A moist nose can benefit your pet in several ways, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee good health.

How Does a Wet Nose Help My Pet?

Have you ever been woken at 5 a.m. by a cold, wet nose rubbing against your hand or face? Although the ability to easily wake lazy humans is certainly one advantage of a wet nose, your dog or cat benefits from a moist nose in a few other ways.

Scents are very important to your pets. Animals mark their territory by leaving subtle scent clues when they rub against people and objects. Outside, pets set boundaries by urinating or defecating in strategic places. When other animals sniff those scents, they understand the message your pet is sending.

A wet nose enhances your pet's ability to identify scents. Microscopic scent particles float through the air and land on your pet's nose. If the nose is wet, they'll stick to it rather than falling off, which makes identifying odors much easier.

A wet nose also helps keep your pet cool. As moisture evaporates from the nose, it provides a cooling effect. Luckily, it's easy to restore lost moisture with a simple swipe of the tongue.

Can My Pet's Nose Be Too Moist?

A wet nose isn't always a good sign. If your pet's nose is suddenly very wet, an upper respiratory infection may be to blame. When dogs and cats catch a cold or other virus, they may experience runny noses just like people do.

Is a Dry Nose a Bad Sign?

A warm, dry nose isn't necessarily a sign that your pet is ill. Some dogs or cats naturally have dry noses. Even if your pet normally has a cool, wet nose, it may tend to become dryer and warmer after a nap or a few hours spent in the sun. Dryness may also be a natural effect of aging.

A dry nose can be a sign of dehydration or illness, particularly if your pet's nose is usually wet. You can tell if your pet is dehydrated by examining its gums. Dehydration often makes the gums look pale instead of pink. The scruff test offers another way to determine if dehydration is a problem. Perform the test by gently pulling up on the skin on the back of your pet's neck. If your cat or dog isn't dehydrated, the skin will quickly snap back against the body. It will take a few seconds for the skin to return to normal if your furry friend is dehydrated.

Other signs that may indicate illness in pets, whether the nose is dry or wet, include:

  • Unusual Lethargy
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Change in Behavior
  • Obvious Pain
  • Urinating More or Less Than Normal
  • Hiding (in Cats)
  • Coughing
  • Vomiting and Diarrhea
  • Lameness
  • Constant Scratching
  • Hair Loss
  • Difficulty Moving or Walking
  • Weight Loss
  • Changes in Bowel Habits
  • Lumps
  • Cloudy or Red Eyes

Has your pet's nose suddenly become dry and warm? Call us to schedule an appointment to find out if a health issue is the reason for the change.

Sources:

Dog Health: Does a Dry Nose Mean My Dog is Sick?

https://www.doghealth.com/how-and-why/why-dogs-have-wet-noses

Catster: Ask a Vet: Should a Cat’s Nose Always Be Cool and Moist?, 6/21/16

http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-health-care-nose-wet-moist-cool-ask-a-vet

VetStreet: Why Does My Dog Have a Wet Nose?

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-dog-have-a-wet-nose

Animal Wellness Magazine: What Your Dog’s Nose Can Tell You

https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/dog-nose/

Healthy Pets: Help Your Dog Overcome These 3 Common Allergies, 9/15/11

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/09/15/help-your-dog-overcome-these-common-allergies.aspx

Drs. Foster and Smith: Allergy Signs & Symptoms

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?siteid=12&acatid=169&aid=75

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "I love Callahan Drive Animal Hospital! Best Veterinarian & Staff in Knoxville been going here for 15 years ! Only place I trust with my fur babies ! Everyone is helpful and friendly and they really care about your animals highly recommend !"
    Tracy S.
  • "Took my 3 y/o tortoise recently and I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the vet knowledgeable and kind, but the overall visit (including an x-ray) was reasonably priced. I definitely recommend and I will be returning for future services"
    Valerie B.
  • "This group loves animals! Everyone is so kind and helpful! This Vet loves sharing information too! Wouldn’t go anywhere else!"
    Karen W.
  • "This is the best vet I’ve ever took my dog to I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else they took very good care of my son and I feel so much better knowing exactly what’s wrong with him very very sweet staff thank you soooooooo much Dr.Hilla and staff"
    Diane J.
  • "Doc Villa ALWAYS takes care of Studly Dudley!! I will ALWAYS recommend Callahan Drive Animal Hospital & their entire team as they truly do care for your animal in the same way you do!! Dr Villa has cared for Dudley for most of his SIXTEEN years & he’s still happy, healthy & strong!! I strongly believe, Stud has made it to this old age so gracefully due to the care he’s been given with this facility!! I would not trust another team than Callahan Animal with my “first child”, the only place for us to go!! Highly recommended!!"
    Lauren H.
  • "10/10 experience was even better than hoped for. As a snake owner, you hear things about vets that make you question taking them and it was very comforting and nice to have someone who not only helped but took the time to talk about caring for them properly. Thank you guys so much!"
    Lydia B