Top 3 Reasons Why Dogs Keep Licking Their Nose

It’s normal for dogs to occasionally lick their nose. It becomes a different story, however, if the dog starts to lick his nose excessively. Here are some reasons that may explain the behavior.

1. Dog has separation anxiety

Dogs that suffer from chronic anxiety or stress might not be able to stop licking their nose. Licking offers a natural mechanism for dogs to relax themselves. Think of this behavior as an equivalent to when some of us may bite our fingernails when we find ourselves in a stressful situation.

You may notice a certain pattern over time whenever your dog licks his nose excessively. It could happen just before you are about to head out for work. It may also happen when you have new people visiting the house. The excessive nose-licking won’t stop until you address whatever is triggering the stress.

2. Dog has a dry nose

Dogs will keep licking their nose if their nose becomes dry and hot. An underlying health problem may explain a dry nose. It could, for example, be a consequence of a dog suffering from fever or dehydration. The dog would keep licking his nose to keep it moist. A dry nose may interrupt a dog’s sense of smell.

3. Other medical conditions

It might not just be a dry nose that’s bothering your dog. There could be another health issue that’s causing a lot of discomfort. Your dog as a result may start to engage in an excessive licking behavior. This could be licking his nose or any objects around him. It’s not just a self-soothing behavior. It might provide the dog some distraction and relief. A visit to the vet is strongly recommended if there are other behaviors and symptoms that are unusual.