By what mechanisms do dogs' noses stay moist?
Dog truffles keep their moisture mainly for 2 reasons:
- there are special glands in the nasal cavities that produce mucus, passing through the nostrils, moisten the nose,
- dogs constantly lick their noses, which helps keep them moist. Dogs lick their nose both to keep it clean but also to collect some of the odorous molecules solubilized on its surface in their mouths. These molecules are then transported to the palate by the retro-nasal route where the organ of Jacobson is located, an organ specialized in the detection of pheromones.
What is a wet truffle good for?
A wet truffle “works” better than a dry truffle
Unlike humans who rely heavily on their sense of vision, dogs use their sense of smell more to assess their surroundings as well as to communicate. The canine brain is also designed to decipher and interpret olfactory data from the 100 million sensory receptors present in their nasal cavities. In fact, it's estimated that a dog's sense of smell is 1,000 to 10,000 times more developed than a human's, and that the area of the canine brain devoted to analyzing smells is about 40 times larger. than the comparable part of the human brain.
But, for this most sophisticated olfactory system to work to the best of its ability, the dog needs his nose to be moist so that the odorous particles adhere and dissolve on contact.Only then will he best perceive the smells around him.
A wet truffle to cool off better
Keeping the nose moist would also allow the dog to regulate its body temperature more efficiently.
Unlike humans, dogs cannot rely on the sweating mechanism to lower their body temperature following physical exertion or when the outside temperature rises. They must then dissipate part of the heat through the pads but also and above all through panting. In doing so, they also use the nasal passages and their wet nose as a cooling system.
What does a dry truffle mean?
A dog naturally has a wet nose but he can have a dry nose without this being worrying. Contrary to popular belief, a hot, dry nose does not always mean illness in dogs.
Thus, a he althy dog may have hot, dry noses after a nap or after extreme physical exertion associated with dehydration. Some dogs exhibit nose dryness as they age or after exposure to wind or UV.
On the other hand, if nasal dryness is accompanied by symptoms such as unexplained fatigue or loss of appetite (among others!), then it is useful to consult your veterinarian. Likewise, if the skin around your dog's nose turns red or his nose shows cracks or ulcerations, make an appointment with your veterinarian right away.
What if my dog has a runny nose?
While a clear runny nose is completely normal, too much and/or thick, colored mucus may be more of a concern. This abnormal nasal discharge can then indicate a respiratory infection or even the presence of a foreign body in the nasal passages.Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.