Your dog’s runny nose: causes and treatment

Updated 11/09/2023

Why do dogs’ noses run? The age-old question. Well, luckily for you and your dog’s runny nose, we’re here helping to settle it. Most of the time, runny nose in dogs is nothing to worry about. But it’s important, as a pet parent and pet sitter, to be aware of the more sinister symptoms to look out for. That’s why we’re exploring some of the underlying causes of your pup’s snot, treatment, and when to contact your vet.

Why is my dog’s nose runny? 

There’s no simple answer to this, unfortunately. Your dog’s runny nose shouldn’t cause panic - it’s incredibly common for our pooches to get a runny nose now and again. But, like with any health matter, it’s important to look out for other symptoms, as, paired with these, it could be the sign that your pup is suffering from another health issue. These include allergies, canine influenza, foreign body stuck in the nose, infection, temperature regulation, polyps and nasal cancer (and more). Below, we explore some of the possible causes and treatments of your pup’s snotty nose. And remember, if you’re ever concerned about your precious pooch, make an appointment with your vet.

What are some of the causes and treatments of runny nose in dogs?

• Allergies
• Kennel cough
• Nasal aspergillosis (fungal infection)
• Canine influenza
• Foreign material stuck in the nose
• Polyps and nasal cancer
• Bacterial or viral infection
• Tear duct blockage

If your dog has a runny nose, it’s more often than not nothing to worry about. A little clear mucus after a cold walk is pretty common for both us and our pets, afterall. But, like with lots of these seemingly small symptoms, your dog’s runny nose might be a sign of something a little more serious than post-walk nose dribble! 

That’s why here, we explore some of the possible causes of your dog’s runny nose. And as you’d expect, treatment involves addressing the underlying issue your pup’s facing, that’s the root cause of their runny nose. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the causes and your dog’s runny nose treatment.

Allergies

Allergies in dogs are seriously common and largely nothing to worry about. Often caused by food, fleas, environmental or seasonal allergies, you’ll probably find that your dog’s nose drips are running clear and sit alongside a few of these other telltale signs. Here are some of the other symptoms of allergies in dogs that’ll accompany your dog’s runny nose.

• Excessive grooming or licking
• Itching and agitation
• Inflamed skin
• Hair loss
• Ear infection
• Problems with digestion

If your dog’s nose is running constantly, it’s only natural that you’ll want to eliminate the trigger as soon as possible. But in all honesty, it’s easier said than done - there are many things your pooch might be allergic to. The best way to approach your dog’s allergies is to have your vet carry out allergy testing so that you can eliminate the cause from your pup’s environment.

Kennel cough

There are many infections that our precious pups can pick up which can result in runny nose in dogs. Kennel cough (otherwise known as canine infectious respiratory disease complex) is a nasty yet common canine ailment. And as it happens, your dog’s runny nose could be caused by kennel cough, which in itself can be caused by various bacterial and viral infections. Symptoms of kennel cough include sneezing, green or yellow nasal discharge and of course that recognizable, abrupt cough. If you’re worried your pup has kennel cough, make an appointment with your vet so that the underlying viral or bacterial infection can be detected, and treatment prescribed.

Nasal aspergillosis (fungal infection)

Another cause of runny nose in dogs is nasal aspergillosis, which is a fungal infection that affects both wild and domesticated animals. Nasal discharge in dogs can be a symptom of a whole host of serious and non-serious infections and other causes. So, if you’re concerned your pooch might have this fungal infection, here are the other symptoms to look out for before making an appointment with your vet.

• Lethargy
• Pain around the nose
• Swelling or change of shape of the nose or bridge of the nose 
• Sneezing
• Nostril sores
• Yellow, green, pink or grey discharge from one or both nostrils 

If your poorly pooch has some of these symptoms, then it’s a cause for concern and time to make an appointment with your vet. Most of the time, this fungal infection will only affect your dog’s nasal passages and sinuses, but in its worst cases, it can also affect the eyes and skull of your pup. Once your vet has carried out their examinations, they might prescribe your pooch antifungal medication to combat the infection. Some serious infections need surgery with medications to fix the problem.

Canine influenza

Separate from the seasonal influenza that affects us humans every year, our pups can experience something pretty similar. If you’ve noticed nasal discharge in your dog and they’re experiencing other flu-like symptoms, then there’s a chance they’re down with canine influenza, otherwise known as dog flu. Along with causing runny nose in dogs, your pooch might also experience some of the following symptoms.

• Fever
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite

Just like in the human world, most of our pups will fight off the flu themselves through an immune response - simply keep them hydrated, warm and rested, and make sure no further symptoms arise. If your pooch develops a runny nose alongside these symptoms, it’s probably nothing to worry about. But, like with anything pup health, if you’re worried, chat to your vet. 

People often worry if they can catch the flu from their dog (or give it to them!), but thankfully the strains of flu that affect dogs and people are different, so you can relax knowing that you will not infect your dog, and vice versa.

A blockage

Your precious pup’s impressive sense of smell might just be one of their coolest assets, but there’s a chance that it can sometimes get the better of them. Any pet parent will know that our canine companions are, to say the least, curious creatures. And what’s their most efficient mode of investigation? To smell the premises, of course. Unfortunately, this can sometimes result in a blockage - a foreign object getting stuck in your dog’s nasal passages. 

Objects that are likely to get stuck in your poor pup’s nasal cavities (and cause your dog’s runny nose along with other unpleasant symptoms), are seeds, splinters and grass. Other reactions to the blockage alongside your puppy’s runny nose include nosebleeds, outward sniffing and pawing around the nose. One telltale sign that your pooch has an object stuck is unilateral discharge, whereby only one nostril is runny. It’s important to get it checked out professionally as soon as you can, as left untreated, your poor pup could be left with an infection, or the object can travel further up the nose, making it harder to remove.

Polyps and nasal cancer

The runny nose in your pup (alongside other symptoms) could be nasal polyps - overgrown mucus-producing glands or nasal cancer. If your dog has a runny nose (and that’s the only single symptom), then you don’t necessarily need to worry about polyps or nasal cancer. But, if your pooch is experiencing any of the following symptoms alongside a dribbly nose, make an appointment with your vet as soon as you can.

• Large amounts of green/yellow pus or blood releasing from the nostrils
• Audible breathing
• A bulge on one side of the nose
• Decrease in appetite
• Weight loss 

Treatment varies depending on whether your pup is diagnosed with nasal polyps or cancerous nasal tumors. Sometimes, vets will operate with non-cancerous growths, and will instead opt for radiation on cancerous tumors.

Temperature regulation

Our canine friends don’t regulate their temperature like us humans. Instead of sweating through their body, pups release heat and sweat from the pads of their feet and also a small amount of sweat is lost through their noses. So, if it’s a particularly hot day, you think your pooch might be overheating and they’re releasing clear mucus through both nostrils, there’s a chance it’s just a sign that they’re trying to cool down. The solution? Get clued-up on how to keep your dog cool.

Nostril issues

​​If your dog’s nose is running a lot, it may unfortunately be a result of their breed - some of our fluffy buddies are simply more likely to experience nostril issues than others. These are more likely to affect flat-faced dogs who struggle with breathing. These breeds also often struggle with breathing during exercise, where they often do audible wheezing sound. If you’re worried about your pup’s ability to breathe properly, make an appointment with your vet. In some cases, vets will operate on dogs with small nostrils and for those with cartilage issues to help your dog breathe easier on a day-to-day basis.

Nasal mites

As you can probably tell by the name, nasal mites are a parasitic infection. They’re small parasites that live inside the sinuses and nasal passages, causing irritation and potentially your dog’s runny nose. Like with many other infections, there are a few other symptoms to look out for before you worry your pup may have nasal mites.

• Nose bleeds
• Audible breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Sneezing
• Head shaking
• Issues with sense of smell
• Itchiness and irritation around face

If you suspect your poor pooch may have nasal mites, make an appointment with your vet for examination. They may then be able to prescribe antiparasitic medication to settle the infection.

How to diagnose your dog’s runny nose

If you’ve noticed your ​​dog’s nose running more than usual, then it’s natural to be concerned about your precious fur baby. A lot of the time, it’ll be nothing serious, but it’s always best to make note of any other new symptoms or unusual behaviors. Paired alongside other symptoms, there’s a chance your pup is experiencing some sort of health problem. In which case, make an appointment with your vet as soon as you can.

When to worry about your dog’s runny nose

If your dog has a runny nose, there’s a high chance they’re still their healthy, happy selves. With no other symptoms and your dog’s nose running clear, you might not have anything else to worry about. But, paired alongside other symptoms, there could be something a little more serious or even sinister going on. Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms that signal an appointment with the vet is needed.

• Nose bleeds
• Yellow or green nasal discharge
• Nasal discharge with an unpleasant smell
• Coughing
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Nostril sores
• Fast or shallow breathing
• Audible breathing
• A bulge on one side of the nose
• Unilateral nasal discharge
• Excessive grooming 
• Itching and irritation
• Inflamed skin
• Head shaking

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

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