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Is it true that healthy dogs have cold, wet noses-- and that warm, dry noses are a sign of illness? Or is this just an old wives' tale?

2006-11-11 03:42:27 · 15 answers · asked by Emily D 3 in Pets Dogs

These are great answers so far! No, she doesn't have any other symptoms. She just nuzzled me a lot this morning and I noticed her nose was dry., so I was curious.

2006-11-11 03:51:15 · update #1

15 answers

It depends on the dog. If your dog is healthy and checked by a vet- the dog's nose could be either way... it's when you see a change that you should see if something is wrong. Both of my dogs have cold, dry noses and are as healthy as can be.

2006-11-11 07:23:52 · answer #1 · answered by niubutterfly 4 · 0 0

If the dog is otherwise fine, healthy, eating well and not having any illness symptoms, then it does not matter if the nose is dry. And opposite, of course, ill dog can have wet nose and still he needs to go see a vet.
So I´d vote a bit for the old wives´ tale.

2006-11-11 03:55:30 · answer #2 · answered by Mirkawolf 1 · 0 0

It is both- a tale and the truth. Dogs noses are wet because they often lick them and this can happen so fast we may not see it. If a dog does not lick the nose, it may dry out. It is always dry> What breed or cross is the dog? Some breeds with brachycephalic (pushed in) faces may not reach the nose that well and it may feel dry. Dogs who have just gotten up from sleeping may have a dry nose.

Now, normal dog temp is 101.5 (average) and to us, they may feel like they have a temp. If you are worried, take the dog's temp or get a vet to take it and see if the dog is running a fever. And dry nose can be a symptom of other illnesses just as easily as it can be normal. So, are there any other things going on with your dog right now? If so, have him vet checked.

If the nose is realy dry, flaking and/or cracking, a small dab of petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) can be used.

2006-11-11 03:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

I am 53yrs old and have always had a dog in my life.
I think what you are asking,it's alittle bit of both.
I have found a wet nose to be a good sign of health but then again I have had healthy dry nosed dogs.
I have had a healthy wet nosed dog and have had a sick one with a wet nose.
Then again,I have seen some sick sick dogs in my life (my dad was the boss of our local animal shelter for 20yrs) and their poor little noses were so dried out so I would suppose that a wet nose means that a dog is well hydrated.
Generally speaking,I think a happy medium between dry and wet is having a moist nose.
Course,their noses are a form of mucos membrane and I think that is why they are always licking it,to keep it moist and to prevent it from getting dry and sore.
So in the end I still say that it is alittle bit of both. . . truth and wives tale.

2006-11-11 04:00:03 · answer #4 · answered by Just Q 6 · 1 0

A dry nose CAN be an indication of illness, but not always. Sometimes, dog noses just get dry for a bit. Usually, do not jump to conclusions of illnesses, unless there are other symptoms that suspect it.

2006-11-11 03:46:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

I've been an a vet tech working in an emergency clinic for a couple of years now, and I can't tell you how many people have come in listing the temperature and moisture (or lack thereof) as a symptom of their dogs' illness.

It is a myth; the nose is no indicator of a dogs' health, or even an accurate measure of his own body temperature. Even "drippy" noses can be quite normal - one of my dogs gets a few clear drips from her nose when she gets her belly rubbed! Any discharge from the nose with color or lacking in clarity can be a sign of an upper respiratory infection, but otherwise, the nose is simply there for sniffing.

2006-11-11 03:59:31 · answer #6 · answered by sjlawson12 3 · 3 0

im not completely sue because my cat (even though shes not a dog) usually has a warm wet nose and nothing at all seems to be wrong with her.. but if the nose is dry that might or might not mean something.

2006-11-11 03:46:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

its true that they have wet noses but their noses r not cold it is a little bit warm

2006-11-11 04:01:23 · answer #8 · answered by confused 1 · 0 0

Possibly but I wouldn't worry if there are no other signs of illness

2006-11-11 03:47:42 · answer #9 · answered by grrl 7 · 0 1

This is mostly true.

There are factors that affects this(eg type of dog, hydration status, ambient temperature, activity)

2006-11-11 04:20:37 · answer #10 · answered by grant_69_98 2 · 0 1

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