Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses? The Science Behind Their Moist, Scent-Detecting Power

My friend’s dog Spot can sniff out a bone anywhere because of his big wet nose. Have you ever wondered why your dog has a wet nose? Well, having a wet nose is important for a dog. Wet noses regulates their body temperature and cools them down. Dogs do not sweat like their human companions. They secrete sweat from their foot pads, panting and their wet nose. The wetness comes from a mixture of saliva and mucus. A dog’s nose secretes a thin layer of mucus and the dog licks the mucus from his nose. By licking his nose, his tongue picks up some of the scent particles trapped in his nose mucus. The effect of this is an amazing sense of smell and the ability to interpret odors. What does a dry nose mean? You may think that a dry nose indicates a dog is sick. Well, not necessarily. A dry nose could suggest that your pet has not been licking for a while and he is thirsty. Also, sleeping in a warm room without much ventilation can make a dog’s nose dry. Some breeds especially the short legged breeds can experience a dry nose. But, remember a wet nose regulates his body temperature. It is important to be aware of other signs your dog may exhibit such as: sores, loss of appetite, listlessness or red chapped skin around their nose. These signs may indicate something more serious. So take him immediately to the vet. Dogs have over 100 million sensory receptor sites in their nose. They can smell anywhere between 1000 to 10,000 times better than humans and this is partly due to the Jacobsen’s Organ which increases their ability to smell. This organ is located inside the nasal cavity and it opens into the roof of the dog’s mouth behind his upper incisors. What does an overly wet nose indicate? Overly wet noses can indicate a respiratory infection. It is imperative for you to know your pet. If you believe his nose is runny and overly wet he may be suffering and it may time time to visit your vet.