All You Need To Know About Your Dog’s Nose
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We know our dogs love to poke their noses into things and sometimes into other dogs’ ‘business’ too. So here are some interesting stuff about the our doggy’s wonderful olfactory system.
Dogs’ noses help them make scents of the world
Yes. People like you and me rely on sight over smell to process information. It's the opposite for dogs. Your dog's brain focuses on processing smells more than what it sees.
Did you know that the part of your dog’s brain that processes smells is 40 times larger the same part in your brain? That is why they smell so much better than us.
What good is a wet nose?
Scent particles stick better on damp surfaces so a wet nose smells better. Your dog’s nose is wet because he/she has special glands that produce a thin layer mucus. This keep his/her nasal canals moist and ready to receive a myriad of smells.
Another reason for your dog's wet nose is probably because he/she licks it. Canine noses get dirty easily as dogs tend to stick them into everything. A dry nose means getting less information of the world around them. Much like wearing foggy glasses and trying to see.
Does a dry nose means my dog is sick?
Not necessarily! The temperature and moist level of your dog’s nose can vary so it is not a good indicator of his/her well-being. But if the dry nose comes with other symptoms, you should check in with your vet:
Lethargy
Lack of appetite
Redness in the skin around the nose
Cracked nose
Sores developing on the nose
Comic credit Liz Climo
On the other hand, a very wet nose can mean trouble. If you notice a lot of mucous and it seems thick or discoloured (normal mucous is clear and colourless), you should also consult your vet. This could be a sign of respiratory issues.
Dogs sniff each other’s rear end. Butt why?
With a nose so sensitive, have you ever wondered why it is necessary for your dog to meet other dog this way? Yes, it is important. Sniffing butts is like a doggy handshake. Dogs do this to get to explore and recognise each other’s distinctive smell.
If both dogs are healthy and well-socialised, you should give them the freedom to suss each other out as much as they want. Do note that some dogs may not enjoy that. The best thing you can do is to keep your dog close on leash and watch while he/she is sniffing the other dog. If the dog seems annoyed or stressed, be sure to back away.
Scent marking is a dog's way to say, “I was here”. Letting your dog sniff out scents left behind by other dogs makes his/her life a lot more interesting. We imagine it is like letting your dog catch up on gossip in the neighbourhood. You know, details like the when, where and who was here and doing what type of thing, etc.
Let your dog explore and stick his nose into everything (within reason of course). It is so good for him/her.