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For many, the dog is man's best friend. It not only entertains you and accompanies you wherever you go, but also becomes an indispensable part of your life, offering you a care that only he is capable of giving you.PeritoAnimal knows that, for a hardworking owner, anything that happens to his dog is cause for concern, because he wants it to be the best it can be.
There are several popular myths about dog noses. Should they be drier or wetter? If you ever wondered if it's normal for a dog to have a cold nose, in this article we clarify your doubts.
Is a cold nose synonymous with good health?
You've probably heard that your dog's cold or wet nose indicates good health, so you'll need to worry about whether it's ever dry or hot. Howevero, this popular belief is not at all right..
The truth is that the your dog's nose doesn't work as a thermometer, so it is completely false for a hot nose to indicate that your dog has a fever. It may be that you have been in the sun for a while or that the high temperatures in the environment are affecting you, so it should provide you with shade and fresh water. In this sense, it is necessary to be careful with prolonged exposure to the sun, as this can cause dryness in the nose area, even breaking the delicate skin that forms it. Also, a dog may be sick and have a cold nose, so you should not use this organ to determine the dog's health. Some breeds even have a drier and warmer nose than others.
If your dog likes to dig and sniff any surface, it's possible that contact with the earth and soil has made his nose a little hotter than usual, and he could even hurt himself. These situations should not be a cause for concern unless they become a constant state and are accompanied by other annoyances or unusual signs.
Causes of cold nose in dogs
It's no secret that canines' nose is much more developed than that of humans, so it's not surprising that their characteristics also vary. In a dog, the nose works like a mechanism to regulate your body temperature, so he uses it to refresh himself through the licks he gives in that area. By evaporating the saliva, the animal's body is able to cool down. This process is accompanied by wheezing.
As if that were not enough, the small organ is formed by glands and ultra-thin membranes, responsible for transporting odors. The moisture in the nose allows the dog 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 smells, even at long distances. Thus, if you keep asking yourself 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 your dog's nose temperature can vary throughout the day, as it is determined by external factors such as the weather, temperature changes and even the animal's habits and preferences when having fun. However, there are some signs to look out for as they could indicate a health problem. Thus, if you want to know how puppies are supposed to have a nose, below we explain the main reasons for alarm that can lead you to seek a specialist:
- If the nasal discharge of your dog, which should be colorless, greenish, yellowish, foamy in consistency or otherwise unusual in appearance, see your veterinarian.
- If the skin on the nose flakes off or is excessively dry, causing sores in the area, may be suffering from some condition or have low defenses.
- If your puppy sneezes his head sideways, this may indicate that there is something stuck in his nose, so you should immediately consult your veterinarian.
- If breathing is difficult.
- If the nose feels swollen or is bleeding.
- If you notice discoloration, or high nose temperature lasts for several days.
- If any of these signs are accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, lack of appetite, etc.
That said, it is normal for a dog to have a cold nose, but if you notice other symptoms like those mentioned above, you should be concerned and consult your veterinarian to examine him and determine what may be happening.
