Reasons Why Your Dog is Licking Their Nose

If you have a dog, you’ve probably seen her licking her nose often. This behavior is part of everyday life for a dog, but is there more to it than just normal dog activity? If you’ve ever stopped to wonder this about your own dog, you’re not alone!

So, Why is My Dog Licking Their Nose?

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common reasons why your dog is licking her nose. Read through this information to find out more about what could be causing this behavior in your dog and whether or not it’s anything to be worried about.

6 common reasons why dogs lick their nose include:

Cooling

Your dog’s nose is a major part of what cools down her body. Since dogs don’t sweat like humans do, they need the exposed skin on their bodies – including their paw pads, insides of the ears, and nose – to stay as cool as possible.

Licking the nose gives your dogs a little bit of cooling that can help her feel better on a hot day. This is usually why you’ll see your dog licking her nose a little more often right after she’s had some water to drink or has munched on an ice cube as a treat when it’s hot outside.

Meeting Other Dogs

Cooling is one of the most important functions of your dog’s nose, but smelling is even more important. Your dog uses her nose to smell everything, and this is how she interacts with the environment around her. When she meets other dogs, she needs to be able to smell them very well so she can understand who they are and what they want.

To do this, your dog will lick her nose so there’s nothing in the way of her getting a good sniff of her new canine friend.

Clearing the Way for Smells

Similarly to smelling other dogs, your dog will also want to clear her nose when she smells something she likes. This will make it easier for her to get a good whiff of the smell and really understand it. And if it’s something tasty like food you’re cooking, she might start to drool a little, too!

This is perfectly normal behavior for your dog. If her nose licking increases when there is a strong smell in the area, especially a smell of food, then you don’t have anything to worry about. Your dog is just being a dog!

Nervous Habit

Sometimes, a dog may develop a nervous habit of licking her nose when she is anxious or scared. If your dog’s nose licking occurs most often in response to something that has frightened her, like thunder or fireworks, then this is a good indicator that the cause is nerves.

It’s okay for your dog to lick her nose out of nerves every now and then. However, if she is suffering from severe anxiety, such as separation anxiety, or fear, then you might need to work on figuring out a method of managing this problem.

Talk to your veterinarian for more information about helping your dog deal with anxiety.

Respiratory Infection

Just like humans, dogs may develop respiratory infections that cause blockages in the nose due to sinus buildup, inflammation, or general “stuffiness.” If this happens to your dog, she may try to relieve the pain and pressure associated with this problem by licking her nose frequently.

If your dog is licking her nose a lot and you also notice that her nose is runny or very warm to the touch, then this is a good sign she has a respiratory infection. Take her to the vet so she can get the medication she needs to recover quickly.

Foreign Object

Finally, it is possible that your dog might inhale a foreign object into her nasal passages. Although this is not a common problem in dogs, it’s not impossible, and it’s something you should consider if your dog is licking her nose and seems to be in distress at the same time.

If your dog is wheezing, sneezing, snorting, or otherwise showing signs that breathing is not normal for her, then her nose licking could be associated with foreign object inhalation. Take her to the emergency vet right away for treatment. Don’t wait to take her to the regular vet, as the problem could become worse in that amount of time.

Is it Normal for My to Dog be Licking Their Nose?

Based on this list, it’s easy to see that most of the underlying causes of nose licking are perfectly normal dog behaviors. However, if you see your dog licking her nose very frequently or if she seems to have other symptoms going along with the habit, then this could mean it’s time to talk to the vet.

Your vet will help you figure out the cause of your dog’s nose licking and help you determine the right course of action for treatment as well. Additionally, the vet can tell you whether or not this is normal behavior for your dog.

When it comes to questions about your pet’s overall wellbeing, never hesitate to seek professional advice. At The Village Vets, our team cares about your pet’s health as much as you do and we want them to live a long, happy and comfortable life with you. If you’re concerned about your dog licking her nose, or if you have general questions about this behavior, contact our team today!