Dry nose in a dog: what remedies for dry nose can be used and when

Who doesn’t like the touch of a cold and wet dog nose? However, if your pet’s nose is dry, it’s important to know which nasal remedy to use and when this condition is reason enough to call your veterinarian.

What does a normal nose look like?

A dog’s nose is an amazing part of its body. A dog’s nose has about 300 million olfactory receptors, or cells, that detect and process odors. A person has several times less of them – about 6 million.

The area of ​​the dog’s brain responsible for smell analysis is about 40 times larger than the same area in the human brain. All this fine tuning means that the dog can pick up extremely faint odors, equivalent to a teaspoon of sugar in two 50-meter swimming pools. A wet dog’s nose means that this system is working.

But why does a dog’s snuffing tool need to be wet? The wet layer on the nose helps the dog retain odors. Licking her nose helps her feel them and make sense of her surroundings. Also, animals sweat through this organ, so a wet nose can be a sign that the pet is undergoing a normal cooling process. Unfortunately, a very dry nose can sometimes occur in dogs, and it is important to understand when this condition should be of concern.

How to treat a dry nose in a dog

Although a dog’s dry, rough nose does happen occasionally, if the condition lasts for more than a day, it probably requires additional attention from the owners. When deciding how to treat a dry cracked nose in a dog, you need to pay attention to several important factors.

Depending on the cause of the dryness, it is recommended that you clean your pet’s nose first to eliminate any external causes of dryness. To do this, take a cool damp cloth and gently wipe the dog’s nose. If the nose becomes moist again naturally, there is no need to panic.

But if this does not happen, there are several common causes of dry nose in a dog and treatments:

• Use a nose balm for sunburn. It is possible that the dog has a slight sunburn on the nose, due to which the nose dries out. You should not use sunscreen for humans – in order to soothe a pet’s burnt nose, you should use special balms for dogs. They can be found in most pet stores. Since dogs love to lick their nose, you may need to reapply the balm quite often. You need to make sure in advance that its ingredients are safe when ingested. Your veterinarian may also recommend other remedies, including prescription creams.
• Use allergy medications. Constantly dry nose in a dog can be caused by mild allergies. If it is possible to identify the cause of such a condition, you need to eliminate it and see if the condition of the pet improves. In some cases, you will need to take your dog to a veterinarian, who will write a prescription for antihistamines or steroids to treat allergies.
• Offer your pet more fluids. A warm and dry nose in a dog can be one sign of dehydration. It is important to make sure that the animal always has access to fresh cool water. Dehydration in a pet can also occur on a cool day. Therefore, if a four-legged friend drinks little water, you can offer him to lick an ice cube or drink chicken broth without salt.
• Make sure the dog is not sick. In rare cases, a dog’s cold dry nose is due to canine flu or an autoimmune disease. Skin diseases of the Pemphigus foliaceus group – pemphigus foliaceus and others – may appear as crusts or scales in the nasal area. Among the breeds prone to this disease are Akita, Chow Chow and Dachshund. However, this problem can occur in any dog. If your pet shows these signs, treatment for dry nose should be prescribed by a veterinarian.

How to anoint a dog’s nose from dryness? Before choosing a balm, be sure to consult with a veterinarian. Every dog ​​is unique, and what works for one pet may not necessarily work for another. Perhaps the veterinarian will even tell you that you have nothing to worry about and no medication is needed.

A dog’s nose is an important way of interacting with the environment. If the dog has a dry nose, the doctor will tell you what to do. The task of a caring owner is to pay attention to accompanying signs.

See also:

Dog Has a Dry Nose: When to Worry

Skin allergies

How Dog Allergies Work and What You Can Do to Help Your Pet Feel Better

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