Most dogs have moist noses, but some suffer from uncomfortably dry, crusty noses. There are lots of possible causes for a dry sniffer, but the good news is there are also treatments and solutions you can try at home.
She just woke up.
When dogs sleep, they aren’t licking their noses, so snouts naturally dry out. Doggie noses will usually be wet again within about ten minutes of waking.
She’s dehydrated.
Keeping Fido hydrated is always important, but it’s even more vital in hot summer months. Dehydration can cause tons of problems, from heatstroke to kidney trouble, and it can also create dryness, scabs, and sores in the nose. Make sure your dog always has free access to plenty of clean drinking water.
She has allergies.
Humans often experience dry or irritated noses with allergies, and dogs are the same. A few dabs of shea butter, coconut oil, or olive oil can work wonders, but if your dog’s dry nose doesn’t get better, it’s time to visit us at LazyPaw Animal Hospitals. Our educated animal surgeons can take a closer look and help determine what kinds of dog allergies your pet may have, then help you put together a strategy for offering your pet some relief.
She eats from a plastic bowl.
Many dogs have a plastic allergy, so when they nose at the bottom of plastic food and water bowls, their snouts can become irritated. If your dog has a dry nose and eats from a plastic bowl, we recommend switching to stainless steel food and water bowls. These are easy to clean, allergen free, and unlike ceramic bowls, can’t chip and leave shards in your dog’s food.
She loves to sleep by the radiator or air vents.
During colder and warmer months, pets naturally gravitate toward the most comfortable spot in the house—the place where warm or cool air blows on them. Being too close to blowing air, especially warm air, will dry noses the same way it dries human skin. If you can’t stop Fido from snoozing by the air, dotting the snout with a tiny bit of Vaseline may help.
She’s actually sunburned.
Dogs are just as susceptible to UVA and UVB rays as people. Noses are often the first to burn, and dogs with lighter colored snouts are even more vulnerable to burns and eventually skin cancer. There are lots of nontoxic choices for pet sunscreens, but you can also use sunscreen designed for infants.
If you’ve covered all the bases outlined in today’s blog but Fido’s dry nose persists, make an appointment to visit us at LazyPaw Animal Hospitals. Dry nose can be a symptom of other conditions that only a qualified animal clinic can diagnose.
