A dog’s nose is his thermometer, barometer, navigator, and even his way of communicating with the world. And yes, most of the time it’s moist. But why exactly? Why is it that when we touch our Pet’s nose, we almost always feel cool moisture – and is that always a good thing?

First of all, a dog’s nose secretes a thin layer of mucus that traps microscopic odor particles. It is because of this wet film that the dog picks up odors much better than if his nose were dry. It is a kind of odor trap, which makes it possible to “feel the world” with incredible accuracy. It is the wet nose that helps the dog to distinguish not just a trail, but the emotional state of another animal, its age, gender, food habits.

In addition, a wet nose helps regulate body temperature. Unlike humans, dogs hardly ever sweat. There is a little moisture on the pads of the paws, but the main work is done… is the nose. When dogs are overheated or excited, it produces more moisture, which helps cool them down. So in the summer or after a run, your dog’s nose can become even more moist, and that’s perfectly normal.

Interestingly, dogs sometimes lick their nose just to keep it moist. It’s already a habit that keeps their main sensor “working”.

But it’s important not to go to extremes. A wet nose is not a guarantee of health, just as a dry nose is not always a sign of illness. There are times when even a healthy dog has a warm and dry nose: after sleeping, in a hot room, from emotional excitement or simply because of a temporary change in humidity. And vice versa – a wet nose does not mean that everything is perfect with the dog. Therefore, the condition of the animal should be assessed in a complex: activity, appetite, breathing, mood, behavior.

It is scientifically proven that the receptors in a dog’s nose are so sensitive that they can detect some chemical changes in the human body associated with diseases. Some dogs are even trained to detect cancer or diabetes, all thanks to their incredible nose. So the moisture on it isn’t just physiology, it’s part of their superpower.

Also. sometimes a dog will just poke you in the palm of your hand with his cold nose, and in that moment, you’ll clearly feel that there’s nothing more real and genuine than that wet touch.