Dog Dry Nose: What Does it Mean? Causes & Treatment

If your dog has a dry nose, what’s causing it? Should you be alarmed? Is it time for a trip to the veterinarian or something you can deal with at home? In the material that follows, you’ll learn exactly when a dry nose is cause for concern, when it’s not, and what to do about it, so keep reading!

What Does it Mean When a Dog’s Nose is Dry?

Dogs lick their noses, and this creates a thin mucus layer that absorbs scents. Ideally, a dog’s nose should be wet in order for it to work at peak capacity which, depending on breed, can be anywhere from ten thousand to one hundred thousand times more powerful than the human sense of smell.

What does it mean when a dog’s nose is dry? It means that it’s working less effectively, but it’s not usually something that you should worry about. A dry nose can be caused by any number of perfectly innocuous things. For instance, your dog’s nose is usually going to be dry while he’s asleep – this is because when he’s sleeping, he’s not licking his nose. Once he wakes up, he’ll start licking again, and his nose will return to its default setting – cold and wet.

A dog will often have a dry nose during the winter months. This is because warm air from heating systems can have a drying effect. Many dogs love to sleep next to heating vents, hence the dry nose.

Winter cold in the outdoors can also cause a dog to have a dry nose. You know how your lips get cracked and dry when you’re outside in the winter weather? That cold air can have a similar effect on a dog’s nose.

What Can I Put on My Dog’s Dry Nose?

Most of the time, your dog’s dry nose problem will iron itself out without assistance from you. If it persists and isn’t serious enough to warrant a visit to the vet, there are a number of natural remedies you can use.

Shea butter is very soothing to dry skin, and you probably find it in many of your own personal care products. It is 100% safe for dogs, and can be used on the nose as well as on dry elbows and paws.

To treat your dog’s dry nose, you can also invade the kitchen cupboard. Pull out your olive oil and apply a bit to your dog’s snout. You can also add a small amount (usually no more than a teaspoon) to your dog’s food to provide moisture from the inside out.

Almond oil is also a good choice. It contains numerous fatty acids that work to heal dryness and irritation. The only downside to almond oil is that it can be more expensive than other products, like olive oil, that will work equally well.

If your dog’s dry nose is severe to the point that it’s not responding to any of these treatments, it’s time for a trip to the animal hospital. Your veterinarian can recommend several topical treatments that will ease the condition.

Why is My Dog’s Nose Dry and Cracked?

If a dog’s nose is cracked as well as being dry, it can be a sign of an auto-immune disorder.  If dryness is accompanied by cracking, don’t try to treat the condition at home. You might be masking symptoms of something more serious. Take your dog to the vet.

What Causes Dry Crusty Nose on a Dog?

Crustiness, accompanied by dryness and cracking, can indicate an immune disorder or serious allergies. Again, this is cause for a visit to the vet.

Conclusion

A dog’s nose, in its best state, is cold and wet. It’s not unusual, though, for a dog’s nose to be dry from time to time. If he’s out in cold weather, or overly hot weather, it’s perfectly natural for the nose to dry up a bit. You really only need to worry if your dog’s nose is constantly dry, and even then, you don’t need to worry all that much. Just apply a lubricant like coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, cocoa seed butter or almond oil. You can also use Vaseline, Neosporin or Aquaphor.

If the dryness gets out of hand, take your dog to the vet. He could have an allergy or other health condition that’s causing the dry nose. Most of the time, the condition will be easily treated with a more powerful topical treatment than what you can buy at your local pharmacy. Serious cases might require more aggressive treatment, but again, the underlying condition is not likely to be all that serious.

If the cause is properly diagnosed and the condition properly treated, dry nose in dogs is not a big deal. Do what you can at home, and if that doesn’t work, see your vet. Together, you can work to get your best buddy’s snout back into proper, wet working order!