dog constantly licking nose

My Dog Keeps Licking Their Nose

Have you ever wondered why your dog licks their nose? There are a variety of reasons, and some can have serious health consequences.

Causes of Dog Constantly Licking Nose

Here are some possible causes for dogs licking their noses:

Behavioral Causes of a Dog Licking Their Nose Excessively Suddenly

Normal behavior

Dogs rely on their amazing sense of smell and will lick their nose to keep it moist. The increased moisture can allow dogs to better pick up scents.

Some dogs will lick their noses when there is something on their nose. For example, a dog came into my office presenting these symptoms because pinesap was on their nose, and it felt sticky.

Behavioral reasons

Some dogs will lick their lips or noses when they are confused or anxious. For example, dogs with storm phobias may lick their noses when they are nervous.

Other dogs will lick their noses due to a behavioral problem, such as a compulsive disorder. Compulsive behaviors are repetitive sequences of behavior that are consistent in their presentation. They do not appear to serve any obvious purpose, although some argue that they function to reduce a dog’s stress levels. Some compulsive behaviors appear to be triggered by anxiety or stress.

Medical Causes of a Dog Constantly Licking Their Nose

Health problems can lead to a dog constantly licking their nose, and may vary from minor issues to serious problems. Nose licking is most concerning when the behavior is new, excessive, or associated with nasal discharge or blood.

Possible causes of nose licking include:

Trauma. Any trauma that results in a cut, puncture, abrasion, or injury to the nose area can feel funny and can cause a dog to scratch, rub, or lick their nose. Skin trauma such as cuts and punctures can become infected, which can itch and cause a dog to lick their nose and rub their face. It is also possible to notice a scab, puncture, abrasion, discharge, and/or a foul odor from an infected wound.
Bites or stings. Any type of bite to the face or around the nose can cause dog nose licking. Bites may include insect bites from spiders, horse flies, mosquitos, and/or a bee or wasp sting. Snakebites can also occur around the face and mouth and cause pain, swelling, discharge, and/or nose licking.
Foreign body. Dogs with something caught in their nose will often lick their noses, rub their noses, sneeze, and/or have nasal discharge that may include blood. For example, a plant awn or grass blade can get inside the nose and cause these symptoms.
Dental disease. Signs of dental disease in dogs may include not eating, a foul odor to the mouth (halitosis), inflamed red gums, tartar, and sometimes drooling, lip licking, and/or nose licking. As dental disease advances, plaque turns to tartar and bacteria can create gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) and tooth loss. In severe cases, teeth can abscess through the skin into the cheek and may extend into the nasal cavity.
Nasal infections. Dogs can develop bacterial or fungal infections of the nose that can lead to nasal discharge. A natural response to dealing with a runny nose for dogs is to lick their noses. Some dogs will also sneeze and will sound congested when they breathe. Sinus infections can also cause nasal discharge and nose licking.
Nasal tumors. Cancer can occur anywhere in a dog’s body, including the nose. Signs of a nasal tumor most often are sneezing and/or nasal discharge. Sometimes the discharge is bloody as the tumor progresses.
Seizures. Canine seizures can result in different types of behaviors or movements. Some dogs that have seizures will lie on their sides paddling their legs. Other dogs with partial seizures can result in more subtle signs, such as lip licking or nose licking.
Nasal discharge. Dogs can have a nasal discharge from an infection, but it can also be due to a bloody nose. The medical term for a bloody nose is epistaxis. This can be caused by ingestion of rat poison, foreign bodies, nasal tumors, and infections.
Nausea. A very common sign of nausea in dogs is lip licking, and some dogs will also lick their noses. Dogs with nausea will often hypersalivate, drool, lick their lips, and these behaviors are often followed by swallowing. This commonly occurs just prior to the act of vomiting. Some dogs may also eat grass when they are nauseated.

When to Worry About Excessive Nose Licking

While occasional nose licking is completely normal, there are times when it may signal a more serious issue that shouldn’t be ignored. A key red flag is a sudden change in behavior, especially if your dog begins licking their nose far more frequently than usual without an obvious cause.

Pay close attention to accompanying symptoms. Frequent sneezing, persistent nasal discharge (especially if it’s yellow, green, or bloody), swelling around the nose or face, or signs of pain when touched can all indicate an underlying medical problem. Changes in appetite, lethargy, or difficulty breathing are also important warning signs that warrant prompt veterinary attention.

Additionally, if your dog seems unable to stop licking. particularly to the point of causing irritation, redness, or sores, this could suggest a compulsive behavior or ongoing discomfort. In these cases, early intervention is key to preventing the issue from worsening.

When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. If the behavior persists for more than a day or two or is paired with any unusual symptoms, contacting your veterinarian is the safest course of action.

What to Do If You See Dog Constantly Licking Their Nose

The first thing to do if your dog is constantly licking their nose is to observe the area.

Is there a nosebleed? Is there sneezing? Is there nasal discharge? Is there anything caught in the hair around the nose? Is there an injury, such as a puncture?