Does a wet nose mean a healthy dog? If it’s warm, does that mean the dog has a fever? And just how strong is a dog’s sense of smell, really? A dog’s nose is an amazing organ, but there are many myths surrounding it. At mybestie.gr we’ve compiled 8 of the most common ones to sort out what’s true and what isn’t.

1. A dry nose means the dog is sick - (Myth)

A dry nose on its own is not a reliable sign of illness. A healthy dog’s nose may be drier after sleeping, due to heat or dry air, or simply at certain times of the day. What matters most is the animal’s overall condition. If the change in the nose is accompanied by lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, discharge, or other unusual behavior, you should contact a veterinarian.

2. A warm nose means the dog has a fever - (Myth)

Touching a dog’s nose is not a reliable way to tell if it has a fever. The temperature and moisture of the nose naturally fluctuate throughout the day. Therefore, a warm nose does not automatically mean that something is wrong.

3. A wet nose helps a dog smell better - (True)

The slight moisture on the surface of the nose can help trap odor molecules. Combined with a dog’s highly sophisticated olfactory system, this contributes to its remarkable ability to gather information from its surroundings. That’s why a simple scent to us can tell an entire “story” to a dog.

4. All dogs have the same sense of smell - (Myth)

All dogs have a highly developed sense of smell compared to humans, but they do not all have exactly the same olfactory abilities. Breed, anatomy, age, health, and training can all influence how effectively a dog uses its sense of smell. It’s no coincidence that certain breeds have been used for generations for tasks that rely on scent detection.

5. Every dog’s nose print is unique - (True)

The surface of a dog’s nose is, so to speak, the equivalent of a human fingerprint; it features distinctive lines and ridges, creating a unique pattern for each animal. This has even led to the use of nose prints as a supplementary method of dog identification. For the official and secure identification of a pet, of course, the microchip remains the primary method.

6. A dog’s nose color never changes - (Myth)

A dog’s nose color can change over the course of its life. Genetic factors, age, and seasonal changes in pigmentation can all play a role. A gradual change does not necessarily indicate a problem. However, if sores, severe irritation, scabs, bleeding, or sudden changes appear, it is advisable to seek the advice of a veterinarian.

7. Dogs can detect certain diseases through their sense of smell - (Partly true)

Dogs’ extremely sensitive sense of smell has been utilized in scientific research and by specially trained dogs to identify specific changes in human body odors. However, this does not mean that every pet can “diagnose” a disease. This ability requires special training and is never a substitute for a medical diagnosis.

8. When a dog keeps stopping to sniff during a walk, it’s just wasting time - (Big myth)

For a dog, smell is one of the primary ways it explores the world. When it sniffs a tree, a sidewalk, or a spot where another dog has passed, it gathers information that we simply cannot perceive. A walk, therefore, isn’t just physical exercise. It’s also an opportunity for exploration and mental stimulation. Sometimes letting him stop and sniff is just as important as the steps he takes.

The nose can give us certain clues, but it is not, on its own, a “thermometer” of your dog’s health. A dry or warm nose is no cause for panic, just as a wet and cold nose is no guarantee that the dog is perfectly healthy. The most important thing is to know our dog’s normal behavior and to observe any changes in his overall demeanor. And the next time he stops for the fifth time in just a few meters to sniff the same sidewalk, it might be worth giving him a few more seconds. For him, there’s probably much more going on than the human eye can see.