Ever notice that your dog’s nose is as dry as the bones they love? Unfortunately, there are several causes of a dry and crusty dog nose. However, there’s almost always a viable solution. Today, we’ll cover why this happens and a few things you can do to treat it.
You’ll learn about all the different causes, treatment options, and a few natural remedies to help make their snout healthy again. That said, if you feel like your dog has a serious medical condition, like nasal hyperkeratosis, please take them to see a vet right away. Your vet can provide them with the necessary medication they need to fully recover.
Most Common Causes for Crusty Dog Nose
1. Weather
You may notice that when the weather’s hot, your dog’s nose will sweat in an attempt to cool off. However, extremely hot weather can cause a crusty nose. In this case, all your dog needs to do is find some shade or spend time indoors under the air conditioner and their skin should become wet again.
Cold weather can also cause a dry nose. That said, a dry nose as a result of the weather isn’t usually a major concern. The only time you should be alarmed is if their body temperature doesn’t regulate when the conditions change.
Keeping your pooch in moist humid weather should prevent your dog’s nose from drying up.
2. Nasal Hyperkeratosis
While a dry and crusty nose is a common thing for most dogs, canine nasal hyperkeratosis is a more severe condition that requires extensive care. Nasal hyperkeratosis is a condition where keratin (a protein that makes up skin, hair, nails, etc.) builds up around the nose.
Although nasal hyperkeratosis isn’t life-threatening, it can cause a great deal of discomfort for your dog and hinder their appearance. What’s more, nasal hyperkeratosis could potentially weaken your dog’s sense of smell, making it more difficult to interact with the world.
Nasal hyperkeratosis can develop in almost all dogs, but it’s most prevalent in:
Fortunately, there are a few easy remedies for nasal hyperkeratosis you can try to help reduce the dryness of your pooch’s snout (see below). Dealing with nasal hyperkeratosis can be daunting, so make sure you put in the effort to find an easy and effective solution.
3. Dehydration
A dry nose can also be the result of dehydration, especially if your dog is running around under the hot sun all day. While it’s important to give your dog plenty of exercise, you should also make sure they have plenty of water to drink. Hydration will help bring moisture back to their nose and prevent any discomfort.
4. Allergies
Like humans, dogs can also have allergic reactions. When a dog has allergies, a dry nose is often one of the symptoms. Many pet owners mistake allergies with nasal hyperkeratosis. If you suspect your dog is struggling with allergies, take them to see the vet. Your veterinarian can provide them with the necessary prescription medication to help control allergic reactions.
5. Sunburn
Many people don’t realize, but dogs can get a sunburn just like humans can. Imagine if you were constantly outside under the hot sun without any protection from UV rays. Since the skin around the nose is exposed, it’s often one of the first places to get sunburned. Protecting your pup’s skin from the sun’s UV rays is vital for preventing skin cancer.
You can use pet-safe sunblock around the nose area to help reduce the chance of sunburn. It will also keep their nose nice and moist and reduce cracking.
