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My French bulldog has a dry nose, is it normal?
We all associate our canine friends with moist noses and to many of us, a wet dog nose is not a cause for concern.
And that is largely true because a dog’s nose is wired to stay moist. The wetness is caused by the continuous secretions of various hormones by the vestibular and the lateral nasal glands. So, the moist doggy nose is largely a normal phenomenon.
But can the same be said of a dry dog’s nose?
Absolutely not.
It is not every day that we come across dogs with dry noses, so when it happens, we are bound to ask questions.
In this post, we shall uncover some of the reasons that cause dryness in your dog’s nose, and how you can go about it.
Why Is My Dog’s Nose So Dry?
1. Inactivity
One of the most common causes of a dry doggy nose is inactivity.
In order to enhance the secretion of the moist-causing hormones, dogs continually lick at their noses, it is only natural that the nose will remain dry during periods of inactivity, such as sleep.
2. Excessive Exposure To Heat
When your dog stays too close to a heat source, his nose is bound to be dry.
This could range from spending too much time in the sun or sleeping near fireplaces.
Ironically, you may notice that your dog’s nose is driest during colder months because they respond to the cold by lying close to heat sources.
Sunburn is a conspicuous mention here. It is important to remember that the same way we get sunburns on our skins is the very way our canine friends get sunburns in their noses. A solution to this would be using pet-safe sunblocks.
3. Allergens
Allergens are also likely to cause your dog’s nose to dry up and even crack. And speaking of allergies, there are so many foreign substances that could pass as allergenic to your dogs.
The most notorious culprits include pollen, fur and dander from other pets.
Also, certain foods, drinks and medications could cause allergic reactions to your dog.
Most dogs are feed from plastic bowls. Unknown to many dog owners, plastics are also a common cause of nose sensitivity among many canines.
Instead of plastics, you could change to rubber, ceramic or stainless steel bowls.
4. Dehydration
Much like humans, dogs experience dehydration. Dehydration manifests in a dry nose.
Dehydration results from inadequate intake of water and other doggy fluids.
Apart from causing a dry nose, dehydration can also cause the dog’s nose to crack.
And if not addressed with the urgency it deserves, the dog could even develop renal failure.
Underlying Medical Conditions – Last but not least, an undiagnosed medical condition could lead to dehydration with manifestations like a dry nose.
If you notice that your dog’s nose start getting dry and crack ;
Here are 6 tips you can do :
1. Take Note of When Your Dog’s Nose Is Dry
One of the most effective ways to approach the problem of dry doggy nose is to carefully monitor your dog and note when his nose is dry.
There could be certain behaviors and habits your dog engages in that accounts for his dry nose.
For example, if your dog likes to bask a lot under intense sun, his nose is bound to be dry.
Observing your dog’s habits and lifestyles will go a long way in arresting the problem of dry nose from the source.
2. Find The Cause
As we have already discussed above, there are so many possible causes of a dry dog nose. As a dog owner, it is imperative that you identify the exact cause of your dog’s nose. Do not just make assumptions.
For instance, your dog could be suffering from a dry nose caused by allergens but because he also likes to spend time in the sun, it would be convenient to conclude the dry nose is caused by sunbathing.
It is important you pinpoint the cause, otherwise, you may put your dog up for the wrong treatment.
3. Apply A Soothing Nose Balm
There are certain soothing balms designed to help manage the problem of dry nose in dogs.
Just like the products designed for the human skin, these balms contain moisturizing and skin rejuvenation effects.
They will leave your dog’s nose not only moist but also radiant. It is important to apply these balms in small, controlled amounts to see if they result in any skin reactions.
The last thing you want to do is subject your dog to more pain in the process of trying to alleviate the pains caused by dry nose.
4. Call Your Veterinarian
Every dog owner must have the contacts of their pet in speed dial. You can never know when your canine friend may be taken ill.
Taking your dog to the vet will help solve a wide spectrum of conditions.
For instance, the vet could end up discovering underlying diseases that were yet to manifest themselves.
They will then prescribe the right medications that not only address his dry nose, but all of his ailments. As a matter of fact, vet visits should be made regularly.
5. Clean Your Dog’s Nose
You can also choose to clean your dog’s nose as a way of helping him get rid of dry nose. You will need a soft cloth and warm water, plus any soothing balm or moisturizer you can find.
First, you begin by moistening the soft cloth by soaking it in warm water. You then wipe the dog’s nose gently and allow it to dry before applying the balm.
If you notice the dog is so much in pain, you could even gently massage the nose so as to help relieve it of any dryness. If the nose is also cracked, be sure to use a balm that is not very irritating.
6. Remove Possible Triggers
We already discussed the importance of identifying the root cause of your dog’s dry nose. After establishing what the cause is, remove it if you can.
For instance, if the dog suffers dry nose caused by allergic reactions to certain foods or medications, you can withdraw such foods from his diet or stop the medication for better alternatives.
Also, ensure you use doggy-friendly bowl materials such as ceramic and stainless steel, as opposed to the more harmful substances like plastic.
Removing the triggers is a long-term solution in most cases, requires a very little cost to do so.
Conclusion
Your dog will suffer from dry nose from time to time. You need to identify the cause of the dryness for further actions.
As a general rule, ensure you make regular visits to the vet, as these might help get rid of so many problems in an early state.