My Mature Adult Dog's Nose is Dry. Should I Be Concerned?

Dog owners frequently ask if a dry, warm nose means their dog is sick. The short answer is no. A healthy dog's nose can vary between wet and dry several times over the course of a day. And there are many reasons your mature adult dog can have a dry, warm nose that have nothing to do with health. Here are a few:

• Lying in the sun
• Spending time near a source of heat
• Dwelling in a room with poor air circulation

Looking at a dog's nose is a good way to check for some other problems. Dogs with pale or pink noses are susceptible to sunburn. If your dog has a dry, red nose or the nasal skin is flaking, sunburn may be to blame. Talk to your vet about correct lotion for protecting your dog from the sun. Protecting dogs that are susceptible to sunburn is important because repeated sunburn can lead to skin cancer.

If your dog's nose is cracked and you see scabs or sores, your dog may have a skin disorder. Ask your veterinarian to check it out.

When examining your mature adult dog's nose, another thing to look for is nasal discharge. If your dog's nose runs, the mucus should be clear. If your dog is producing bubbly, thick, yellow, green or even black mucus, see your veterinarian.

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