For many, dogs are their best friends and favorite pets. Unfortunately, they cannot talk, and if they suddenly get sick, they are not able to report their poor health. Perhaps a dog's nose can help with this. Everyone is well aware of the fact that a dog’s sense of smell is much stronger and more sensitive than a human’s. Dogs are able to smell faint odors, and even long distances are not a hindrance to them. That is why people actively use this feature, for example, to search for drugs, despite the fact that they may be well hidden. Even in the most inaccessible places for dogs, such work is not impossible.
Scientists, having studied such a wonderful sense organ, came to the conclusion that dogs have several different olfactory receptors for perceiving and analyzing different odors. These receptors are located at different levels of the olfactory organ. Some odors are retained upon entry due to phlegm, which allows other odors to penetrate deeper into the animal’s nose. This allows him to analyze the smell more accurately. But still, why does the dog have such a wet and cold nose? People have been interested in this for a very long time, which is why there are many legends on this topic on the Internet and other sources.
What is a dog's sense of smell?
When people talk about a dog's nose, they only mean the tip of it. The animal has a nasolabial mirror, consisting of a long cartilage protruding beyond the incisors. The nose consists of its apex, sides, root and back. It is also not covered with hair. The serous gland secretes special mucus, and it is found on the nasolabial planum in large quantities. This is why your dog's nose is wet and cold to the touch. This is necessary, since it is this feature that allows you to capture odors better. Noses vary in size and shape in the canine world. But no matter what they are similar, they are important for survival.
How does a cat's nose work?
If we could examine the animal’s nose from the inside, we would see two passages separated by cartilage tissue, through which oxygen enters the body.
Inside, the nasal cavity is “wrapped” with a mucous membrane, which consists of nerve endings and blood vessels. The purpose of the mucous membrane is to protect the cat from bacteria and viruses that can be transmitted, for example, through contact with an infected individual. The mucous tissue, in turn, is lined with epithelium, consisting of olfactory receptors that allow the cat to capture the most subtle aromas that a person cannot sense. During a person’s inhalation, oxygen enters directly into the lungs, while a cat, with the help of special shells and pores located inside the nasal passages, retains the captured air so that the epithelial receptors can send a signal to the brain: is there prey nearby, an individual of the opposite sex, or food. That is, during inhalation, a cat's nose does a much more complex job than a human nose. It is believed that a cat's sense of smell is at least 15 times more powerful than a human's. Therefore, a light and almost imperceptible aroma may seem too strong and unpleasant to a cat.
Why do dogs have wet noses?
It is necessary to pay attention to the surface of your pet's nose to help him stay healthy. In order to detect the subtlest odors, as well as their direction, it is necessary that the dog's nose be moist. Once in the olfactory organs, the molecule begins to move at different speeds thanks to the glands that secrete secretions. It is this property that allows the dog to separate odors from each other and, accordingly, analyze them correctly. Moisture is very important to a dog's sense of smell. Animals keep them wet constantly and automatically lick their noses when they become dry.
Smart dogs don't want to miss important information because of a dry nose. Thus, a wet nose helps the animal to smell and see the world better. By the way, this organ also helps keep the animal cool. Dogs have long tongues that can easily reach the tip of their nose. This even applies to breeds such as collies. As you can see in the photo below, she has a very long nose.
Why does a cat usually have a wet nose?
Now let's look at why cats have wet noses.
The moisture of the nose is caused by the secretion of nasal secretions or normal wetting with saliva. However, a dry nose is also not always a symbol of ill health. It is considered normal for an animal to have dry earlobes while sleeping or dozing, as well as within half an hour after waking up. A wet nose should not cause concern if the cat is actively playing, as a result of which its body temperature rises and the mucous membranes dry out. Your nose may also be dry if the room is too stuffy or it’s hot outside. In addition, the effect of a dry nose may be present if the cat is stressed, overeating or hungry. It has also been noted that dry earlobes occur more often than usual in representatives of some breeds (for example, Bengal cats). In other cases, a healthy pussy should have a moist and cool nose. If your cat’s nose is dry and unpleasant symptoms are observed (lethargy, reluctance to eat, pale mucous membranes, changes in behavior, fever, gastrointestinal disorders, dull fur, pathological discharge from the eyes, etc.), you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. The nose can be dry, for example, due to dehydration, heart problems, and some infections.
Why do they lick their noses?
Dogs do this to keep them clean, as they get dirty all the time. Animals often stick their noses into wet grass, leaves, plants, puddles, food, etc. when exploring something new. They also lick the organ to moisten the surface of the nose, which helps maintain an excellent sense of smell.
So, following from the information above, a wet nose is the norm. Why is it dry in dogs? This is not always a good sign. Many people think that a dog with a wet nose is completely healthy. And when she gets sick, she will have it a little dry. This is not always true. In a sick dog, it may also be wet and cold.
How to care for a cat's nose
For the most part, cats are lovers of exemplary cleanliness, so they can take care of the beauty of their fur coat, eyes and nose on their own.
However, if the purr neglects hygiene, it is permissible to clean the dirty nose with cotton swabs (possibly with a limiter) dipped in warm water. If the animal’s nose is running like a faucet, cleaning will not be enough. In this case, it is necessary to observe the animal. Is your cat clearly not feeling well? High temperature, apathy, dull eyes, refusal of a favorite treat are reasons to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Dry nose
Any physical activity that causes dehydration can cause your nose to become dry and warm. In some dogs, this occurs with age or after exposure to strong wind or sun. So a dry nose is not always a sign of trouble. It is for this reason that this organ is not an indicator of measuring overall body temperature. Therefore, if your dog's skin is hot and dry and he is behaving normally, there is no cause for alarm. And when dry nose is accompanied by other signs of illness, she becomes lethargic and loses her appetite. You can't do this without a veterinarian. If the skin around the nose becomes red or if the organ becomes cracked or ulcerated, immediate veterinary consultation is necessary. Excessive humidity is also a poor indicator of health. Clear discharge is still normal, but if you notice an excess of mucus or if it becomes thick, veterinary help is again required. This type of discharge could indicate a respiratory infection or even a foreign body in the nasal passages.
Dog health and its nose – interesting video
There is an opinion that a dog's wet and cold nose indicates its health, while dryness and increased temperature of the olfactory organ may indicate illness. Sometimes this is true, although the nose cannot be considered an ideal indicator of health. Sometimes the nose is dry simply because the dog is hot - after some time its original condition will be restored.
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But in other situations, in the presence of accompanying symptoms, a hot, dry nose can indicate a cold; in this case, sneezing and coughing are also observed. Once the dog gets better, its nose will return to normal. A dry nose can also occur with allergic reactions, with nasal pemphigus or injuries - in these cases it is advisable to consult a veterinarian.
If the dog is healthy, a dry nose indicates either dehydration or adverse weather conditions. Not only heat, but also frost leads to its drying out.
Why do dogs have a warm nose, but it's wet?
Is a warm nose a cause for concern? This is often normal for an animal. Although many dog breeders panic about this and immediately take their pets to the doctor. Therefore, this fact can be called another incorrect statement. If the dog was sleeping or the room was dry from the heating, the nose may become warm.
The same effect will come from the fact that she experienced strong physical exertion or played with sand, burying her nose in it. Another reason is cold or hot weather. If your pet with a warm nose is joyful and cheerful, and has a wonderful appetite, then there is no reason to worry or panic. But indeed, sometimes a warm nose can be a sign of illness.
If your pet is very lethargic, does not respond to commands, and the nose is not only warm, but also dry, then this is a reason to consult a doctor. Especially if this organ is covered with some kind of secretions or crusts. It is necessary to give the animal water and not disturb it for some time.
When a cat's wet nose is not good
As we found out, a cat's cold, wet nose is a sign of good health. But there are also exceptions to the rule, when moisture in the nose is present in sick animals. Let's look at some ailments that cause cats to have a wet nose:
- It is normal for a cat to have hot ears and a cold nose. However, if there is copious discharge from the nose and the ears are burning, an infection may be present (for example, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, etc.);
- A cat's very wet nose, combined with sneezing, refusal to eat, and elevated body temperature, may indicate that the animal has a cold;
- Sometimes the lobe becomes especially moisturized if a foreign object gets into the animal’s nasal passages. Moreover, the discharge can be not only transparent, but also bloody and purulent;
- A cat's nose often runs due to allergies. A pet may not tolerate, for example, the smell of cigarette smoke or the aromas of cleaning products. Allergic rhinitis can develop due to rejection of plant pollen, the administration of certain medications, dust;
- If your pet is snoring heavily, his nose is too wet, and he is breathing through his mouth, the problem may be the presence of a polyp on the nasal mucosa;
- The cause of a too wet nose and constant discharge from it may be the presence of a benign or malignant tumor;
- A wet and too pale nose may be a sign of cardiovascular disease;
- If the animal's nose is not only constantly too wet, but also cold, hypothermia (hypothermia) or poisoning can be suspected.
Why does a dog have a hot nose?
As we have already found out, a wet organ is the norm. What does the hot nose of your beloved pet mean? This may be the same situation as with a warm nose. It all depends on the dog’s behavior, reaction to the outside world and actions after which the nose became hot and dry.
But this is often a warning sign. For example, this could be a consequence of an allergy. The latter can be not only of a plant nature. This is a reaction to washes, products and chemicals. Sometimes owners even have to change their food bowls to better ones that do not contain toxic substances.
So, we found out why dogs have wet noses.
Healthy cat nose
So, as it turned out above, a cat’s nose can be either dry or wet during the day. If the animal's health is not in danger, its nose may be:
- Warm and dry - during sleep, immediately after active pastime or when it is too hot;
- Slightly damp, smooth and shiny for most of the day.
If the nasal discharge is too abundant, not transparent, but bloody or purulent, there is a dried crust on the nose, the cat constantly sneezes or shakes its muzzle, then its health is in danger. To accurately determine the condition of a pet, it is not enough to just feel its nose. After all, as we found out, the lobe cannot be wet all the time. It is necessary to pay attention to the presence or absence of symptoms of malaise.
Why does your nose have to be wet?
The moisture of the nasal mirror is due to the fact that it contains many glands that secrete mucus. This wet substance covers the sensitive skin with a thin film. Single molecules of volatile substances enter the mucous membrane, reaching the olfactory receptor. That is why a cat’s sense of smell is almost as good as a dog’s and far exceeds a person’s olfactory abilities.
Cats are carnivorous predators, so a wet nose helps determine which way the wind is blowing and sneak up on the prey from the other side. Where the olfactory organ feels the chill is where the air moves from. The animal smells food very subtly. Therefore, his nostrils flare if the hostess begins to cut fish or meat. The cat smells something delicious. Caution helps the cat not to attack hot food. The nose senses danger from afar. If the olfactory instrument comes out of standing, the cat will not survive.
Cat licks the nasal speculum
Since the main component of any biological secretion is water, which has the ability to evaporate, the surface of the nasal speculum cools. Another function of a damp nose is thermoregulatory. A thick wool blanket protects well from cold weather, but does not allow the skin to cool down in hot weather. In addition, the animal warms up greatly while performing muscular work.
The absence of sweat glands forces the cat to fight overheating by evaporating moisture from the tip of the respiratory organ. To do this, the animal often licks the tip of its thermostat, replenishing the supply of constantly evaporating liquid.
Dry nose while sleeping
Why does my dog have a dry and hot nose?
Very often, the cause of a dry and hot nose is an allergy. In this case, it manifests itself on plastic - this is usually the dishes from which the dog is fed. also be allergic to dust.
, pollen, chemicals and detergents, as well as some products.
The dog can react to the weather - to cold, strong wind or, conversely, to heat. In the cold, her nose becomes hot, as the immune system is in action and begins to fight the health-threatening consequences of the weather. At this time, your beloved pet should be fed with multivitamins, which are sold at any pharmacy.
If your dog has a cold nose rather than a hot one, this could mean a cold.
and then she will have completely different symptoms. For example:
- Sneezing.
- Cough.
- Hoarseness.
A dog's dry nose is the first sign of illness.
If your dog has been dry and hot for a long time, the cause may be:
Allergy.
Maybe for anything from the bowl from which the dog eats food to the bird cherry blossom. There may be allergies when eating certain foods. It is best to keep a diary where you need to mark the foods you feed her. And we need to do this to eliminate all allergens from her life.
Cold.
If she has signs of infection, then in addition to a dry nose, she should have other symptoms - coughing, sneezing, etc. In this case, you need to contact a veterinarian, he will prescribe treatment. And as soon as the dog is healthy, it will have a cold nose again.
Nose injury.
It can be detected on your own; if the injury is severe, you should immediately take the dog to a veterinary clinic.
Pemphigus.
This disease is manifested by the formation of blisters on the nose, which then burst and a crust forms on the nose. It should be taken into account that bubbles can be located throughout the body. It is necessary to do histology and only then will it be possible to confirm the disease.
