The majority of the time, a dry nose in your dog will go away quickly on its own. However, there are certain things you can do to keep your dog’s sniffer moist and healthy if it has a chronically dry nose.
- Make sure he has access to clean, fresh water at all times so he can stay hydrated.
- To prevent sunburn in light-colored dogs, apply dog-safe sunscreen to his nose and muzzle.
- To add more moisture to his nose, dab it with a dog-safe nasal balm. You can purchase these items through your veterinarian, pet supply shops, or online.
Your veterinarian can clip off the extra keratin in dogs that have idiopathic nasal hyperkeratosis. If your dog’s nose has fissures and cracks, the doctor may also prescribe a lotion containing steroids or antibiotics to aid in the healing process. Petroleum jelly used after the nose has been soaked in a warm, damp towel will help keep the nose supple.
Your dog needs to be checked by a veterinarian right away if he exhibits further symptoms in addition to a dry nose. Which underlying disease is present will determine the course of treatment.
Will Vaseline work on my dog’s nose?
Vaseline should not be applied to a dry dog’s nose since it may be harmful. Even though it is occasionally advised by vets, petroleum jelly won’t help your dog’s hurt nose. Even though vaseline can induce lipoid pneumonia and upset stomach and diarrhea in dogs if consumed in large quantities, it is not fatal in modest doses. Given that dogs lick their noses impulsively, putting petroleum jelly on your dog’s nose increases the likelihood that it may wind up in your dog’s stomach.
What natural treatment is there for my dog’s dry nose?
The majority of the time, a dog’s dry nose is probably caused by natural factors and will go away on its own without any therapy. Your veterinarian may, however, recommend drugs if the dry nose is caused by a condition or disease that is underlying. Depending on the cause, your dog may require a prescription for immunomodulators, steroid creams, antibiotics, or allergy drugs.
You might need to use a prescription balm or salve to keep the nose comfortable if it is consistently dry and your veterinarian does not observe any symptoms of allergies or illness. For mild to moderate cases of dry dog nose, over-the-counter ointments and home cures can offer sufficient relief and moisture.
Some common DIY treatments involve dabbing your dog’s nose with a few drops of coconut oil, petroleum jelly, shea butter, or olive oil several times per day. Nose butters and balms sold over the counter are also fantastic alternatives.
What causes a dog’s dry, cracked nose?
Dogs rely on their highly developed sense of smell to interpret their surroundings. A dog’s nose need lubricant to function correctly, just like any other equipment does. Why? because smell particles are considerably better at sticking to wet surfaces.
Normally, the mucus-producing glands that supply the required moisture produce that lubrication. Additionally, it creates a clear, watery fluid that, oddly enough, controls Fido’s body temperature. It works like an internal cooling system to prevent a dry, cracking dog nose.
You might also notice that your dog frequently licks his or her nose. To remove any dirt, trash, or other impurities, they perform this. Additionally, it provides a method for interpreting fragrance vapors via taste.
Therefore, we humans perceive a dog’s dry and warm nose as an indication that something is amiss. There are a number of other typical, non-health related causes for a dry dog nose in addition to the possibility that anything is amiss.
Let’s examine every justification:
He’s Been Exposed to the Elements
You undoubtedly notice that your own throat and nose become dry and itchy, or runny and full of mucus, as the seasons change. The same is true with your dog. Your dog’s nose might be impacted by the scorching sun, a windy day, the cold, and the heat.
You could find that your dog’s nose has dried out, especially in the winter. It might have resulted from them lying close to a heat source, such as a fireplace or air vent.
He Was Taking a Cat Nap
Your dog is dreaming as he sleeps, not licking his nose. As a result, while your dog is sleeping, it’s typical for their nose to dry out. When they awaken, they will immediately begin licking their nose to rehydrate it.
He’s Dehydrated From Strenuous Exercise
Consider the fact that you lose water when you exercise and perspire a lot. The same holds true for your loyal pal. He will also become dehydrated if you just went for a run with him or if he spent the entire day playing with his friends at the park. The evidence will be in his nose.
He’s an Old Man
Older dogs typically have dryer noses. Just like wrinkles and gray hair in humans, it simply occurs with age. Although there is no cause for concern, you could always apply some dog-safe balm to his nose to keep it wet. He would act same toward you.
He’s of a Certain Breed
Additionally, some dog breeds with shorter snouts, such as Bulldogs and Pugs, have difficulty licking their noses. Other breeds, including Lhasa Apsos and Spaniels, have tear duct blockage. They both result in their noses being on the dry side.
He’s Got Allergies
Dogs can have allergies much like humans do, which dries out their noses. Dogs can develop allergies to the environment, to their skin, or even to certain foods.
He’s Got Sunburn
We frequently overlook the fact that most fuzzy animals, including our four-legged friends, have skin. Dog breeds with thin, light coats as well as those with pink or pale noses, paw pads, eyelids, and ears are more prone to sunburn.
Depending on the degree, your dog’s sunburn will cause his nose to dry up and possibly crack. Be careful to get dog-safe sunscreen if you have one of these fair-skinned breeds for those prolonged outside play sessions.
He May Have an Autoimmune Disease
In the worst case scenario, an autoimmune condition might be the cause of your dog’s dry nose. Depending on the breed, a dog may have a wide range of various autoimmune illnesses.
Lupus and Pemphigus are the most typical autoimmune disorders that cause nose dripping. These conditions have a tendency to alter your dog’s nose’s surface, causing dryness, cracking, and bleeding. These illnesses are often treated with immunosuppressive medications and can only be diagnosed by a veterinarian.
Can I apply coconut oil to the dry nose on my dog?
A treatment like Snout Soother, which is specifically created to soothe and repair anything from dry dog noses to hyperkeratosis of the nose, is more beneficial than applying coconut oil to your dog’s nose.
It’s common to feel a little anxious about cleaning your dog’s nose. Dog noses are delicate, and anything you put on them will undoubtedly wind up in their mouth because of this. Coconut oil is all-natural, provides calming, healing, and moisturizing effects. If dogs consume it, there is little to no harm to their health. Actually, a lot of animal experts advise including coconut oil in your dog’s food.
The advantages of coconut oil are numerous. It has strong analgesic effects, is extremely hydrating, and has anti-inflammatory and antifungal qualities. This is why Snout Soother, a popular all-natural dog nose salve, lists coconut oil as one of its first components.
Can I apply ChapStick to the nose of my dog?
Vaseline is generally safe to apply to a dog’s nose. However, if your dog consumes a lot of the substance, their stools can get a little loose. Use an approved pet product like Snout Soother if you’re concerned about the effects petroleum jelly will have on your dog’s stomach.
However, if you can develop excellent habits of applying this product once or twice a day, you shouldn’t have to worry much about a dry or cracked nose at all. Vaseline is also a very efficient technique to lock water inside a dog’s nose.
Can I Put ChapStick on My Dog’s Nose?
Yes, provided that you use ChapStick under its genuine name brand, which is Vaseline. The cherry-flavored version appears to work best on canine noses for reasons that are best known to dogs themselves. Be watchful and be ready to defend your female dog from any unwelcome advances from Katy Perry if you have one.
Oils That Treat a Dry Nose on a Dog
Additionally, there are numerous natural oils that you may purchase at a health food store to keep a dog’s nose moist and wet. You may apply these oils directly to your dog’s nose and they are all safe for dogs to eat, so they can all be licked.
Try any of the products listed below:
- Cocoa Butter Coconut oil is great for canine skin and has a delicious taste that dogs adore. Just make sure the stuff you purchase is 100% extra virgin and cold-pressed.
- Coconut Oil
- This product is loaded with a variety of good fats, as well as vitamins and minerals that improve the health of a dog’s skin. Almond oil is a pure moisturizer as a result of these.
- Shea ButterShea butter is commonly used by humans to protect their elbows, feet, and knees from drying out, and this product can do the same for a dog’s nose!
- Citrus Oil
- Fair notice
- Don’t fill Fido’s hooter with too much castor oil because too much of it has laxative effects. However, a tiny quantity has amazing therapeutic abilities and will soothe and mend a dry, cracked nose.
- Avocado Oil
- Apply a spoonful of olive oil to your dog’s food or rub it on their nose if you have a container of it in the kitchen. It will have a wonderful effect on your dog’s skin throughout.
- Cocoa Seed ButterThis product comes from a cocoa tree, thus it is free of chocolate toxicity. It works wonders on a dry, cracked nose because it works so well as a sunburn treatment.
There is, of course, nothing that prevents you from combining all of these elements to create a super-balm! You can give your dog’s nose every health advantage imaginable if you combine these ingredients with Vaseline (or a store-bought specialized version) as the basic ingredient. On the other hand, you can also use this balm to aid your dog’s paws and other potentially beneficial body parts.
Preventing a Dry Nose on a Dog
Of course, it’s preferable to take precautions than to wait for your dog’s nose to dry out and crack.
Follow these actions to implement these preventative measures:
- Never fail to supply fresh water. The dryness and cracking of a dog’s snout and paws are prominent symptoms of dehydration. Keep Fido’s water bowl full and current at all times, and encourage your dog to sip water frequently throughout the day.
- Limit Your Dog’s Sun Exposure. In a similar vein, watch out that your dog doesn’t spend too much time in the sun. Canines love the sun, but their bodies cannot produce the vitamin D that comes from it naturally. If they spend too much time in the sun, they may get sunburned without even realizing it. Try to schedule your dog walks for very early in the morning and very late at night when the sun is at its peak to avoid potentially damaging your dog’s paws and nose from walking on scorching asphalt during the height of summer.
- Check to see if your dog has any allergies. Check to determine if your dog is not experiencing an allergic response if they appear to have a dry nose after going outside and sniffing the grass or after eating specific meals or treats. Similarly, be sure the plastic dish your dog is drinking from is not the cause if no amount of water seems to keep their noses moist. Your veterinarian can perform tests to verify any suspicions.
- Utilize supplements and oils. As we’ve previously stated, your dog can enjoy a variety of various oils and supplements as part of their food intake that are fantastic for their skin. Consult a veterinarian to ensure that the ingredients you choose and the quantity you give are appropriate for your dog, but after you’ve done so, you might be surprised by the results.
- Watch What Your Dog Is Licking or Sniffing. As we previously stated, it’s possible that the reason for your dog’s dry or cracked nose is due to them licking and sniffing something, breathing it, and then developing a fungal infection on their nose as a result. Learn the “leave it” command to stop your dog from showing too much attention, which could injure them in the long run.
Updated on January 11, 2022 / Affiliate links / Amazon Product Advertising API images
Can I use Neosporin to the nose of my dog?
It’s likely that you can use a little dose of Neosporin to assist prevent infection in the wound if your dog gets into a scrape. This trio of topical antibiotics may help with superficial wounds like scrapes, abrasions, and tiny cuts. Use with caution on the nose, though.
Can I apply Bag Balm to the nose of my dog?
Bag Balm has been a farmer’s companion since 1899, hydrating and soothing extremely dry, chapped skin brought on by working outside in the abrasive Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
Bag Balm with lanolin is very good for hydrating extremely dry skin that can crack, split, or chafe. The tried-and-true Bag Balm formula works quickly and effectively on a variety of skin conditions, including chapped lips, cracked heels, dry skin, tattoo care, chafing, blisters, sunburn, saddle sores, windburn, and more!
Although many of our clients have used Bag Balm for this reason effectively, we nevertheless advise that you consult your pediatrician.
To meet the demands of our customers, we provide a variety of sizes of our tried-and-true formula. 4.5 lb pail, 8 ounce tin, 4 oz tin, 1 oz tin, 2 oz tube, and 0.25 oz on-the-go tube are among the sizes available at the moment.
The “Hand & Body” and “Original” tins have the same formulation. Both are suitable for usage by both people and animals.
Although the effectiveness of our product has no declared expiration date, it could change in appearance or odor with time. For the greatest results, we advise refreshing your tin at least once every three years.
Every product has a lifespan that includes changes to the packaging and ingredients. The composition has not altered even if we no longer label our tins with the phrase “antiseptic.”
Since 1988, our Bag Balm recipe has not altered. Petrolatum, lanolin, paraffin wax, water, and 8-Hydroxyquinoline Sulfate (0.3%) are its original ingredients.
Bag Balm is not vegan, however it is vegetarian because lanolin is one of its main ingredients. As a result of our careful sourcing, Bag Balm is regarded as a cruelty-free product.
Yes! The best buddy of a pet is bag balm. Bag Balm provides relief for hot spots, dry, cracked paw pads, and noses.
