{"id":9973,"date":"2022-07-01T15:46:22","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T15:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/blog\/uncategorized\/puppy-runny-nose-why-does-it-happen\/"},"modified":"2023-03-30T11:07:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T11:07:01","slug":"puppy-runny-nose-why-does-it-happen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/en-us\/blog\/puppy-health\/illness\/puppy-runny-nose-why-does-it-happen\/","title":{"rendered":"Puppy Runny Nose: Why Does It Happen?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Puppy got the sniffles? \u2018snot funny, is it? If your puppy has a runny nose, it can be a bit of a worry, but you\u2019ve come to the right place. Zigzag is here to give you the lowdown on all things to do with your puppy\u2019s leaky nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll be talking about what exactly a puppy’s runny nose is, why it happens, and what you can do to help your puppy\u2019s runny nose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for more advice, tips and tricks on puppy care, day to day routines, training and behavior, download the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a>. We have a personalized training program waiting for you, as well as a team of fully qualified trainers and behaviorists <\/a>available at the push of a button 7 days a week via Whatsapp, email or a phone call. Download a trial today and get started on your puppy\u2019s training journey – without any snot in your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by T.R Photography<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is a puppy runny nose?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, let us ask you a question. Does your puppy have a runny nose, or do they just have a wet nose? It\u2019s a good thing to know that puppys\u2019 noses should generally be wet. However, they may dry out in certain circumstances (our article on puppy dry nose will tell you more about that). Puppies have a wet nose as it helps lubricate it, allowing their olfactory system (fancy term for the system that allows them to smell) to work properly. That way, they are able to pick up all the smells in their environment and collect information about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a puppy with a normal wet nose and a puppy with a runny nose are two different things. A puppy with a runny nose means an increase in discharge from the nostrils. Depending on what\u2019s causing them to have a runny nose, this discharge can be clear, but also green or red. Yuck ducky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might see other problems associated with a runny nose in your puppy, like panting or breathing fast<\/a>, shaking<\/a>, increasing body temperature or coughing<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Ryan Yeaman<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why does a puppy runny nose happen?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There can be a few reasons your puppy has a runny nose. Some are relatively harmless, and some are more troublesome problems that only medication can get rid of. .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergies, such as hayfever, can cause puppy runny nose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As for humans, pollen is a common allergen in dogs and can often cause an allergic reaction such as a runny nose or sneezing. Other inhalant allergies can come from environmental irritants such as smoke, cleaning products, dust or other seasonal reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you may well know, us humans like strong-smelling air fresheners or plug-ins in our homes to cover our own smelly farts. But a dog\u2019s sense of smell is so sensitive that the fragrance can overwhelm them and lead them to have a runny nose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Irritants or foreign bodies can cause puppy runny nose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your puppy has a runny nose, check that there\u2019s nothing stuck up there! Grass seeds can get everywhere and frequently end up in a puppy\u2019s nose. Other foreign objects as harmless as a blade of grass can also block a nostril and cause a runny nose, so a runny nose can be a good sign to get you to check them out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temperature regulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If it\u2019s a really hot day, your puppy\u2019s body temperature will probably have risen which can often cause a runny nose. This kind of runny nose happens because your puppy will be trying to cool themselves down. Puppies don\u2019t sweat the same way humans do, so they rely on water evaporating from their tongue and nose as one of their ways to cool down.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always have plenty of fresh drinking water available to your puppy! Even if you don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s \u2018that\u2019 hot, they\u2019ll appreciate a nice clean water bowl.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kennel Cough or canine influenza can cause runny nose in puppies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kennel cough<\/a> and Canine Influenza are common diseases in dogs. If your puppy has a runny nose and is paired by sneezing or a hacking cough that sounds like they\u2019re an 80 year-old smoker (or like they have something stuck in their throat) then it could well be one of these two illnesses. Better call your vet if you run into this kind of trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fungal infections can cause a puppy runny nose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fungal rhinitis or Aspergillosis is a fungal infection of the nose and can also be why your puppy\u2019s got some snot down their nose. Other symptoms include blood or pus-like discharge from the nose – sorry for the visuals – as well as sneezing, swelling of the nose and a loss of pigment in the skin of the nose. Puppies or dogs who live outside or as farm dogs, or who come into close contact with lots of hay or dust are most at risk from it, as they breathe the spores in. If you live in the city, you shouldn\u2019t be too worried about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by freestocks<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to help if your puppy has a runny nose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several things you can do that don’t involve a tissue and asking them to \u2018blow\u2019. Here are some ways to help if your puppy has a runny nose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n