It doesn’t necessarily mean your dog is sick just because their nose is dry. More often than not, it is nothing to be worried about – a dog’s nose can be dry for a multitude of reasons.
If a dog doesn’t lick their nose for a long while, it will be dry. When they’re napping, they don’t lick their noses for a few minutes or a few hours.
Harsh elements like extremely hot or cold weather and harsh winds can dry out your dog’s nose.
As dogs age, their noses will become drier over time. This might be because older dogs sleep more than younger dogs and, therefore, won’t lick their noses when they’re asleep.
Allergic reactions like hives can dry a dog’s nose up. One of the first symptoms of environmental allergies or skin allergies is a dry nose.
Short-nosed and flat-faced dogs like Shih Tzus, Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers are unable to lick their noses. These breeds will have dry noses, but it’s nothing to worry about.