Your dog's wet nose might look a little gross, but it's perfectly natural and not usually anything to worry about. Why are dog's noses wet, what happens when they get dry, and when should you be worried?

Few creatures are as friendly and adorable as your beloved dog, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few things that come across as a little bit of a turn-off.

One such thing is, quite likely, your dog's utter lack of both discipline and hygiene.

Seriously, what's with the constantly wet nose?

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It's always just hanging there, glistening with... what? Sweat? What's that all about?

It is completely normal and even healthy for a dog to have a slightly damp and wet nose. The dampness not only acts as a way to cool the dog off in hot weather, but assists in the proper functioning of your darling doggo's sniffer, and is a sign that it is healthy and happy.

Of course, there are situations in which an overly wet nose is not a good sign, as we will discuss later on in this article. For the most part, though, a wet dog nose means a healthy dog!

Here's why your dog has a wet nose:

• To cool down your dog: The water on your dog's nose acts similarly to sweat. It is therefore used for evaporative cooling, helping regulate your dog's body temperature.
• Humidifying your dog's nose: By keeping your dog's nose moist, the inside of its nasal cavity also becomes humidified, reducing the risk of dried-out noses that can then become sore and get infected.
• Preventing infections: The moisture in and on your dog's nose helps prevent various respiratory and nasal infections.
• Scent: Your dog's moist nose helps it retain various smells and scents, improving its sense of smell.

Your dog's nose is meant to be a little bit wet, so don't worry about it. In fact, you should celebrate it – a moist muzzle is a sign of a good health for you doggo.

While some dogs do have wetter noses than others, every dog should have a slightly cool and moist nose. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about – in fact, it's quite the opposite. Due to the association between illness, dehydration, and dry noses, it's best to seek medical attention if your dog's nose has become as dry as the desert.

There is a stark contrast between a dog whose nose is slightly damp and wet, and one that is actively running. While the former is a normal part of doggy life, the latter could indicate an illness that may range from relatively harmless and short-lived, to actively life-threatening. Think of it like a human nose – people with the common cold often have dripping noses, and so do people with more dangerous afflictions.

A dog's nose should be slightly damp, shiny, and glistening. There should never be any boogers or drips dropping out of it onto the floor. If there are, and you have established it's not just water after an excited drink, then it might be a good idea to go to the vet and be safe about it – don't freak out, just head on over to the vet.

Here are some potential reasons for a dog's runny nose:

• Allergies
• Cold and flu
• Anxiety
• Blockages
• Nasal cancer
• Infection
• Respiratory tract infections
• Foreign objects lodged inside
• Kennel cough
• Fungal infections

If your dog's nose is dry, you may have cause for concern, and should almost certainly take it to the veterinarian. There are a variety of potential reasons for such a situation, some of which you don't need to be overly worried about, but all of which are less than ideal and certainly unusual. Dogs should always have a slightly damp nose, and if they don't, they could be sick.

Here are the most common causes of a dry dog nose:

• Dehydration
• Allergic reaction
• Some sort of autoimmune disease or issue
• Sunburn
• Fever
• Overheating
• Poorly moisturized nose
• Skin conditions
• Excessive nose licking, often caused by other health issues
• Brachycephaly
• Dry eye syndrome
• Excessively dry air
• Cancers of various kinds
• Infections
• Hyperkeratosis

So there you have it – wet noses are nothing to worry about in dogs. Of course, there are circumstances where wet noses get to the extreme, but ultimately your doggo's moistened muzzle is perfectly normal.