Just like with humans, a dog’s nose could be running for any number of reasons. In fact, depending on your dog’s breed, a runny nose might be a persistent (but normal) occurrence. Other common reasons for your dog’s runny nose include vigorous exercise, seasonal allergies, and even a blade of grass. It’s only if your dog has thick, colored discharge or you spot other concerning symptoms that you should begin to explore alternative causes for a runny nose.
Your Dog is Sweating
More often than not, a dog’s nose is running because they are sweating and trying to cool down. Dogs can easily heat up depending on their breed and how hot or humid it is outside. Even when you provide water and cooling pads, your dog may become overheated. To cool down and adjust their body temperature, dogs sweat via their paw pads and noses.
Dogs need a certain amount of exercise to stay healthy. If you are mostly seeing a runny nose when your dog comes in from running or playing, it’s not a cause for concern. Clear and thin nasal discharge is typically just sweat but could also be caused by excitement. Wait until they have a chance to cool down and check your dog’s nose again. If it’s no longer running, then you know it was only a bit of sweat.
It Has Allergies
Just like a humans, dogs can be allergic to certain things. They may have seasonal allergies that flare up with pollen or be suffering from a more common allergen, such as a specific food or prescription medication. Dander, dust, and mold are three other culprits that can make a dog’s allergies flare up.
Other common symptoms in dogs with allergies can include sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. If you believe your dog could be suffering from allergies, consult a veterinarian. They can help you narrow down what exactly your dog is allergic to and, if necessary, prescribe antihistamines.
Dogs may also have sensitivities that cause their nose to run, such as perfumes, candles, cleaning products, and air fresheners. Even products that are touted as pet safe, such as essential oils or incense, could be causing your dog discomfort. To see if your dog has a sensitivity to any of these, try limiting their use around the home and introducing them back in one by one.
There’s Something in Your Dog’s Nose
A dog’s nose is incredibly powerful, but the downside to sniffing everything is accidentally inhaling a foreign body. Your dog’s nose may be running if there’s something stuck up there. Foreign bodies can cause runny noses and watery eyes, and your dog tries to discharge it. Grass, gravel, flowers, and insects can easily get stuck in your dog’s nose. All are easy for dogs to inhale, especially for smaller breeds that are closer to the ground.
If your dog has something stuck in their nose, you’ll see them trying other methods to clear their airways. They may be pawing at their nose, shaking their head, sneezing or coughing, and could even get a nosebleed. Try to gently restrain your dog and use a flashlight to look into their nasal cavities. You can use tweezers to try to remove a foreign body from your dog’s nose, but when in doubt, always err on the side of caution and consult the vet.
Your Best Bud is Sick
A more serious cause of a dog’s runny nose is illness. There are a number of infections and other sicknesses that can cause nasal discharge. Common infections include bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, but rhinitis and nasal mites are also possibilities. If your dog’s nose is infected, you’ll notice other symptoms like a bad odor, mucus, coughing, and possibly bloody noses.
If your dog is particularly social and is often in public or semi-public spaces, an infection is very likely. Dog parks, doggy daycares, kennels or boarding houses, and shelters are all prone to high infection rates. Any type of nose-to-nose contact with an infected dog will spread the infection.
Other illnesses could include the cold and flu, periodontal disease, and (less commonly) cancer. Less likely but still possible is a dental abscess or cleft palate, although these are more noticeable. If you’re concerned about illness, schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.
Some of these illnesses are highly contagious, so quarantine your pup until you can get them to the vet. In the meantime, note how often your dog’s nose is runny, the consistency, and the color. If there’s an odor to the fluid, try and describe it. You should be concerned if the nasal discharge is thick and colored, lasts longer than a few hours, or is only coming out of one nostril.
You Have a Brachy Dog
Unfortunately, some breeds are prone to runny noses courtesy of poor breeding practices and genetics. Brachycephalic dogs are a prime example of this and commonly suffer from chronic runny noses due to their difficulty breathing. The more “squished” your dog’s face is, the more likely it is that they may need surgical intervention to breathe properly and prevent the runny nose. French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, and Pekinese are some examples of brachy breeds that are often seen with runny noses.
However, you should make sure to consult your vet as needed about runny noses. Just because they are common with brachycephalic doesn’t mean there isn’t another contributing factor, such as allergies or illness. Because these dogs have compromised breathing, it may be harder to spot wheezing, coughing, or similar signs of illness.
