What to do if the dog combed his nose to the blood

Sometimes pets rub their noses simply because they like it. But in some cases, the dog scratches the nose to the blood, which may indicate the presence of primary pathologies.

There are several reasons why an animal behaves this way.

Dirt on the face

Often the dog scratches its nose on the nearest accessible surface in an attempt to clear food, dirt and other foreign matter stuck in the coat. This is especially true for animals with pronounced skin folds, such as pugs, Boston terriers and bulldogs. Regularly rubbing the folds of these pets can help break their habit of nose rubbing.

Itching

Although not all cases of itching in pets are cause for concern, a dog’s constant attempts to rub its muzzle against carpet and other surfaces may mean that he has allergies or parasites – fleas or ticks. She may also have a skin condition. If a dog rubs its nose due to itching, its skin may become red and irritated. At the same time, the four-legged friend will most likely itch not only the nose, but also other parts of the body.

Pain or discomfort

If the dog rubs its muzzle on the floor or other surface, it may be trying to relieve pain caused by a foreign body stuck in the nose, a dental infection or abscess, a bee sting, or another insect. According to Care.com, if a pet has a nosebleed or a lump in the nose, it may have swelling in the nasal cavity.

Separation anxiety

A dog’s constant desire to rub its muzzle against the ground and other surfaces can be a sign of anxiety. Especially clearly this can be indicated by the fact that the animal sticks its nose on the bars of the cage when it is left alone for a sufficiently long time, experts from Kingdom of Pets report. This behavior is typical of animals suffering from separation anxiety.

When to See a Veterinarian

If you notice that your dog constantly rubs his nose and scratches it until it bleeds, this is most likely a sign of an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. The veterinarian will treat the wounded nose of the pet and conduct a thorough examination to determine what causes the dog to rub it so actively. The course of treatment will be selected by the veterinarian based on the health of the animal.

In the meantime, you can help relieve discomfort in your dog’s nose by gently washing it with soap and water, drying it thoroughly, and applying a small amount of antibiotic ointment. Just don’t apply too much ointment, or your dog may be tempted to lick it off.

How to keep your dog from rubbing his nose

If a pet’s nose is rubbing due to an underlying condition, a cure will likely fix the problem automatically. But if the cause is exogenous or seasonal allergies, you may have to take additional measures. In particular, clean carpets, wash dog beds and other fabric items that can accumulate allergens. Regular baths will also help get rid of the allergens that the animal brings to the fur from the street.

If the pet rubs its nose just out of habit, you can wean it by firmly saying the command “No!” every time he does it. Then you can distract him with a toy, game, or healthy treat.

For any potential problems that a dog’s nose-rubing behavior might indicate, it’s best to contact your veterinarian – even if bleeding nose abrasions haven’t gotten to the point yet.

See also:

• Causes of deafness in dogs, what to do, how to test your hearing and how to communicate with a deaf dog
• How to understand that a dog has pain: the main symptoms
• Enteritis, gastritis, pancreatitis, constipation and other digestive problems in dogs
• Lichen in dogs: types, symptoms and treatment