Key facts at a glance
- A dry nose in a dog does not necessarily indicate an illness.
- In the case of an illness, additional symptoms usually appear.
- If the nose has been dry and warm for several days or is already brittle, a veterinarian should be consulted.
Harmless causes of a dry nose in dogs
In general, a dry nose in dogs is nothing to worry about. Because mostly there are everyday causes that lead to the fact that the nose of the four-legged friend is temporarily not cold and damp. So if your dog’s nose is only warm and dry for a few hours, that’s not a problem.
The following reasons, among others, can cause a dry nose in healthy dogs:
- Your dog stays near the heater for too long.
- Dry room air can dry out the dog’s nose, especially in winter.
- The four-legged friend has a sunburn.
- Since dogs sweat through their noses, they can be dry after physical exertion.
- Dehydration can also cause a dry nose in dogs, especially in summer.
Dry nose in dogs due to illness
Although the causes of dry nose in dogs are mostly harmless, it is also possible that an illness is to blame. This is especially true if you notice other symptoms in your dog.
Since a dry nose in dogs can be a sign of fever, we recommend checking your four-legged friend’s body temperature.
Also, make sure you don’t notice any of the following symptoms in your dog:
- exhaustion and tiredness
- loss of appetite
- weakness
- Pains
You should also pay attention to what your dog’s nasal discharge looks like. If the dog is healthy, the secretion is transparent. In sick dogs, on the other hand, it becomes viscous and can take on a yellowish or greenish color.
When the dry nose is a case for the vet
If your dog’s nose has been warm for several days or if other symptoms of illness also appear, we advise you to make an appointment with the veterinarian. After all, it may well be that there is a serious cause behind the symptoms.
Only a veterinarian can tell you with certainty whether this is the case and whether your dog needs to be treated with medication, for example.
Dry nose in dogs – our conclusion
It’s not uncommon for your dog’s nose to be dry or even warmer than normal from time to time. In many cases, you may not even notice it, as this condition is temporary. The only reason to be concerned is if your dog’s nose stays dry and warm for a long time or if it occurs in combination with other symptoms such as pain and loss of appetite.
Save vet costs with
If your dog’s dry nose is actually the result of an illness, you will of course have to reckon with costs for the examination and treatment of your four-legged friend. In the case of more serious illnesses, sums of a few hundred euros can certainly come your way.