For many, the dog is man's best friend. Not only does he entertain you and accompanies you wherever you go, but he also becomes an indispensable part of your life, giving you a love that only he is capable of giving you. our site knows that for a conscientious owner, anything that happens to their dog is cause for concern, because you want him to be the best he can be.
There are several popular sayings about dog noses. Should they feel drier, or wetter? If you have ever wondered if it is normal for your dog to have a cold nose, in this article we will clear up that doubt.
Is a cold nose synonymous with good he alth?
You've probably heard that your dog's cold or wet nose indicates good he alth, so you should be concerned if at any time it feels dry or hot. However, this popular belief is not entirely true.
The truth is that your dog's nose doesn't work like a thermometer, so it's completely untrue that a warm nose indicates that your furry friend has a fever. Rather, it may be that he has been in the sun for a while or that the high temperatures of the environment are affecting him, so you should offer him shade and cool water. In this sense, it is necessary to be careful with prolonged exposure to the sun, as this can cause dryness in the area of the nose, breaking the delicate skin that makes it up. Also, a dog can be sick and have a cold nose, so you should not use this organ to determine the he alth of the dog. Some breeds even tend to have a drier and warmer nose than others.
If your dog enjoys digging and sniffing at any surface, contact with dirt and soil may make his nose a little warmer than usual, and he may even hurt himself. These situations should not be a cause for concern, unless they become a constant state and are accompanied by other discomforts or unusual signs.
What causes a dog's cold nose?
It is no secret that the nose of canines is much more developed than that of the human being, so it is not surprising that their characteristics also vary. In the dog, the nose works as a mechanism to regulate its body temperature, so that it uses it to cool itself through the licks that it gives in that area. As the saliva evaporates, the animal's body manages to cool down. This process is accompanied by panting.
As if that were not enough, the small organ is made up of glands and ultra-thin membranes, responsible for transporting odours. The humidity of the nose allows the dog to capture a greater number of olfactory stimuli, which are sent to the brain and give the animal the ability to perceive a wide variety of odours, even over long distances. In this way, if you keep wondering if it is normal for your dog to have a cold nose, as you can see, the answer is yes.
When should you worry?
Now you know that the temperature of your dog's nose can vary throughout the day, as it is determined by external factors, such as the weather, changes in temperature and even the habits and preferences of the animal when it comes to having fun. However, there are some signs to watch out for that could indicate a he alth problem. In this way, if you wonder how dogs have to have their noses to know when to worry, here are the main reasons for alarm that can lead you to see a specialist:
- If your dog's nasal discharge, which should be colorless, appears greenish, yellow, foamy or otherwise unusual appearance, go to the vet.
- If the skin of the nose flakes or looks excessively dry, causing wounds in the area, you could suffer from a pathology or have lower defenses.
- If your dog shakes his head to the side when sneezing, it could indicate that there is something trapped inside his nose, so you should go to the vet immediately
- If he is breathing heavily
- If the nose is swollen or bleeding.
- If you notice discoloration, or the high temperature of the nose remains for several days.
- If any of these signs is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fatigue, lethargy, lack of appetite, etc.
So, it's normal for a dog to have a cold nose, but if you notice other symptoms like those mentioned above, you should be concerned and go to the vet to have him carefully examined and determine what's wrong.
