Dog dry nose-what it means, reasons why and home remedies

A dog dry nose is common and can be caused by different things. Although people tend to assume that this is a sign of sickness, a warm dry dog nose is not indicative of sickness. We explore what it might mean when our dog has a dry nose as well as what you can do to treat it.

Dog Dry Nose





While the state of your dog’s nose may not be indicative of its health or lack of it, this is one part of its body that can help give hints that go a long way in understanding it better. Most dog owners get concerned when they notice a dog’s dry nose. The most common question that follows is whether a dog dry nose means that it is sick. A dog with dry nose does not mean the dog is sick. There are a number of reasons and times when it could be dry. These are as discussed below.

A slightly dry nose in dogs is normal.
Dog dry nose

Reasons why Dog has Dry Nose

Knowing what is normal and what is not is important in monitoring the health of the dog. This does not only apply to the dog’s nasal area but other parts of the body too. Some dry dog nose causes include:

Dry Nose on Dog Caused by Dehydration

In case your pet has not been taking enough fluids, it can easily become dehydrated. This will cause your dog to have a dry and cracked nose. This situation also compromises other organs such as the kidneys and the skin which could end up suffering dryness. Ensure that your dog always has clean water supply and other healthy fluids to keep it healthy.

Dog Dry Nose Lethargy and Sleeping

One of the causes of a dog wet nose is licking. When the dog is asleep, it stops licking its nasal membrane. This reduces the consistency of wetness that results from licking. It is therefore normal to have a dry dog nose when they wake up but which resumes its wetness as they go back to licking. When a dog is lethargic, it also tends to be inactive and thus may result in a dry nose.

Dog Dry Nose and Cracking from Over Heating

Highly placed nasal parts may become dry because they are out of reach for licking
A partly dry, cracked and crusty dog nose

During cold seasons, dogs love sleeping close to heating equipment. The warm air that blows out of them offers comfort and warmth. In case they get too close, a puppy will end up with a dry and cracked nose. With time, the snout ought to go back to its usual state. Some pet lubricant applied on it can help hasten the process.

Dry Crusty Dog Nose Caused by Allergies

In some other cases, the cause of a dog dry nose is allergic reactions. When these happen, the best thing to do to get rid of it is to eliminate the allergen. In case this does not help, you can see a veterinarian who will administer dog allergy medication which can be in the form of ointment or pills.

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A common cause of allergic dog dry nose is sensitivity to plastics. In case your dog’s food or water bowl is plastic, consider changing it and use ceramic or stainless steel instead. Keep them clean and sterile all the time. Also eliminate plastic items from the dog’s environment including toys.

Sunburn Dry Dog Nose on Dog

Just like human beings, dogs can also get sun burnt on their noses. As such, you need to protect your best friend from harmful UV rays when out in the sun to prevent him from getting a dog dry nose.

Use a sun block to help keep the nose moist and to prevent dog sunburn on the nose. This will ensure it sniffles as it normally does. Ensure that the brand of sunblock you pick on is meant for pets. This will ensure that they are not toxic as well as eliminate dryness.

This is manifested in a dog dry nose that is red and which may be followed by nasal flaking. In cases where the dog has chronic dry nose, see the veterinarian as soon as you can. Also treat the condition as an emergency if it is accompanied by sores and scabs.

My Dog’s Nose Is Warm and Dry, what is Wrong?

A common observation among dog owners normally is: My dog’s nose is warm and dry. With this comes some concerns. Is it sick? What does it mean when a dog nose is not cold and wet? According to pethealthnetwork.com, there is no direct correlation between the nose of a dog and its health status. As such, a dog with dry nose does not have to be dismissed as unhealthy. At times, a completely healthy dog nose fluctuates between cold and wet and warm and dry. These fluctuations can be observed throughout the day.

Some situations such as when the pet sleeps will cause dryness around the nasal region. Every pet owner should therefore know when to be concerned about a dog dry nose. When you are examining a dog nose to consider its health, check if it has nasal discharge as opposed to using a warm dry dog nose as the determining factor. Where the running nose has clear mucus, it is okay. However, if it is black, yellow, green or thick, consult a veterinarian.

Other situations to be keen on are when the dog has a crusty and rough nose. In some cases, this may be present on some breeds and it may be as a result of accumulated dry keratin. This is common in dogs whose noses are located higher in the face. Other than being a cosmetic concern, this condition is not life threatening. Some dog nose butter and other snout soothers can go a long way in easing it up. Where this is not the case, see a veterinarian to have your dog checked.

cracked dry dog nose should be cause for concern
Severely dry and cracked or crusty dog nose should be cause for concern

Where a dry nose is accompanied by other severe symptoms, this may be reason enough for concern. This includes a cracked and bleeding dry nose, a lethargic pet and chapped puppy nose. With these serious signs, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as they are noticed.

Video: 3 Easy Home Remedies For Treating DRY & ITCHY NOSE

What Does a Dry Dog Nose Mean?

Does my dog’s dry nose mean he is sick? Is a dog’s hot nose a sign of illness? These are some common questions concerning the status of a dog’s nose. In most cases, a dry and warm dog nose has been taken to mean that the dog is sick. However, this is not always the case.

A dog nose keeps changing throughout the day and the dryness can be used to mean a whole lot of things. The weather, where the dog is spending its time, nutrition, what material the container it is feeding on is made of as well as dog activity all contribute to the dryness or wetness of the snout.

A dog dry nose that is also warm but the pet remains playful shows the dog is okay. Where it is inactive and exhibits other symptoms of a sick dog, it should be of concern as there are some skin diseases and immune issues that can be noticed through various symptoms on the nose. Those that require you to make a trip to the veterinarian include:

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  • Colored and thick discharge
  • Dog nose bleeding
  • Masses, lumps and bumps on the nose
  • Excessive cracking on the nose
  • Rubbing and scratching of the nose

These may be indicative of conditions such as pneumonia, clotting abnormality as a result of poisoning, presence of foreign bodies, rhinitis, a problem with the platelets or allergies. All these require the intervention of a professional expert so see a vet as soon as they occur.

Dog Dry Nose Home Treatment

In case you are concerned by the fact that your pet has a dry nose and are sure it is okay, there is a simple home remedy to help cure the dryness.

  1. Start off by washing up the puppy. Ensure that you use standard dog products for this as failure to could cause further problems.
  2. Once done, apply a light dog moisturizer on the dried up nasal area.

To keep the dog safe, buy certified pet lubricants as the dog will keep licking the nose and ingest it. Also watch out for the amounts you use. Do not overdo it. Too much product may cause it to diarrhea or get stomach irritations. You can use this treatment at night as the dog is less likely to lick while asleep. Also keep the dog well hydrated. Give it enough water and other healthy fluids to keep it well hydrated and avoid excessive dog dry nose.

Sources

Petful.com: Why Does my Dog have a Dry Nose?

Metvetnyc.com: Wet Nose, dry Nose: What Does-it All Mean?

Hillspet.com: Facts about a Dry Dog Nose

Pethealthnetwork.com: Does a Dry Nose Equal a Sick Nose?

Pets.webmd.com: Dogs Hot Nose

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