Why Your Dog May Have a Dry or Cracked Nose.
Why does my dog have a dry or cracked nose?
This is something I used to get asked by by clients when grooming dogs, and there are quite a few reasons why your dog might have a dry or cracked nose.
Some of the more common causes are quite simple. Your dog might be slightly dehydrated, maybe not drinking as much as it should, especially after exercise. It can also be environmental. If your dog spends a lot of time in air conditioned rooms or has a bed next to a radiator, that can dry the nose out. Sun exposure can play a part too if they have been out in the sun more than they should have been.
Older dogs are also more prone to having a dry nose. Things just do not work quite as well sometimes, so you might notice dry skin in general.
You might also find that your dog’s nose is dry after sleeping. If they are that way inclined anyway, they will not always lick their nose, so there can be a bit of temporary dryness there.
Breed tendencies and dry noses
Some breeds are more prone to a dry or cracked nose than others. The flat faced breeds, (aka brachycephalic) like pugs or bulldogs, can sometimes suffer from blocked tear ducts, which can lead to a drier, cracked nose. Their faces are more compressed, so things work slightly differently compared to a dog with a longer muzzle. They can't lick their nose very easily and dust, dirt and dead skin cells can get trapped in the folds around that area too.
From my time dog grooming, it was often the pugs and some of the bulldog types that came in with this. I have also seen quite a few spaniels with the same issue although I have no explanation of why, so it does seem to be something that crops up more in certain breeds.
On the other side of that, my own dog is a collie cross and she has always had a very wet nose, even now she is older. Sometimes it can go the other way completely.
Other reasons your dog may have a dry or cracked nose
There can be other things going on as well.
Consider allergies, whether that is something in their food or something in their environment if this is a new thing for them.
There is also a condition called nasal hyperkeratosis, where the skin on the nose becomes quite thick and crusty. I am not a vet, so I am not in a position to advise on that, but it is worth being aware of and again, the flat faced breeds are more prone.
In some cases, a dry or cracked nose in dogs can be linked to a medical condition that causes ongoing dryness, or it could be related to illness if it comes on more suddenly.
I know there are a lot of possibilities there but it really does depend on what is going on with your dog as an individual.
When to get a dry or cracked dog nose checked
If you are seeing cracks, bleeding or scabbing, it is always best to get it checked by a vet.
That is not something to try and manage yourself if you have any concerns.
What to put on a dog’s dry or cracked nose
If you are wondering what to put on a dog’s dry or cracked nose, most good balms are made up of a few key types of ingredients. There will usually be a wax to help seal in moisture and protect the surface. There will be a liquid oil that soaks into the skin, and a butter such as shea butter which is thicker and soothing. Quite often there will be something extra added in as well, like hemp oil in my case, to help support the overall health of the skin.
I am not a fan of using a product like Vaseline and if you are wondering why not, I explain my thoughts here.
If you want to start a simple routine to keep your dog's nose healthy, you can try my nose and paw balm with 10% off - just use code TRY10 at the checkout.
If you run a pet business, this is one of the most common issues your customers will ask about and it is well worth stocking a product to direct them to. I would love to help you with this whether that be a wholesale product with my branding or a white label product with yours, just have a look at my home page here for the options or get in touch by email to chat about what your are looking for. Keri enquiries@thedogandi.co.uk