What happens if a puppy’s nose is dry?
Expert Answer
A dry nose in a puppy can be caused by several things. First, just after waking or finishing intense exercise, the nose may be a little dry, which is normal. Second, when indoor air is very dry or the dog’s water intake is low, the nose also gets dry; it is recommended to give the dog more water.
In addition, skin dehydration or skin disease (such as demodex) can also cause a dry nose, usually with skin rashes, itching, and hair loss, which needs a prompt skin scraping at a vet to find the cause and treat. Finally, if the nose is dry and hot to the touch, it may signal a rising body temperature, with causes including respiratory infection, parvovirus, or distemper; if the dog also has lethargy, vomiting, a runny nose, or coughing, see a vet promptly.
A dry nose on a puppy isn't a fever sign by itself, my vet said nose moisture varies all day, and mine's went dry in the heat. I'd look at his overall state, energy, eating, temperature if worried, rather than the nose alone. If he's bright and playful, I wouldn't stress, but if he's also lethargic or warm to touch, get him checked, the nose is a weak signal, behavior tells the real story.