How Do You Treat Dry or Cracked Dog Nose?
We love our canine companions and it’s important to take care of their paws and noses just as we’d take care of our own bodies. That’s why we created Rhoose Point Remedies Dog Paw & Nose Balm.
In this article, we answer:
- What causes a dry or cracked dog nose?
- Is a dry dog nose normal?
- How can I prevent a dry dog nose?
- Is it okay to put moisturiser on my dog’s nose?
And finally, why Rhoose Point Remedies’ Dog Paw & Nose Balm is the best solution to your dog’s dry or cracked nose.
Find out how to treat a dry or cracked dog nose, and learn some preventative measures you can take to look after your furry friend.
Why is it important to look after your dog's nose?
Dogs use their noses to investigate the world around them. They use their heightened sense of smell to interpret the world. Dog noses are 10,000 times more sensitive than a human’s nose. That’s why they’re the first to come running when you open up a packet of food!
Dog noses are highly sensitive parts of the body. So when they become damaged, cracked or dry, it’s extremely uncomfortable for your dog. Tthat’s why Rhoose Point Remedies have formulated our very own Dog Paw & Nose Balm, which is perfect for soothing painful or dry cracks in the noses.
Healthy dog noses are moist and soft to the touch. The moisture levels on a dog’s nose will vary during the day, depending on many different external and internal factors. However, if a dog’s nose becomes too dry or cracked, then their sense of smell will be affected and they will be in discomfort.
So, what can cause a dry or cracked dog’s nose? And how can this be treated?
What causes a dog to have a dry or cracked nose?
There are a number of factors which can cause a dry or cracked dog’s nose, including…
Environment
Did you know, your dog’s nose can become sunburned? Just like human skin is vulnerable to sunburn, dog’s noses are too. Similarly, taking naps in front of the fireplace is a common cause of a dry nose as it draws out the moisture in the nose.
Exposure to chemicals
Floor cleaning products, fragrance sprays and outside use of chemicals can cause sensitivity in your dog’s nose.
Allergies
Dogs can be allergic to stimuli just like humans are. Pollen and dust are common allergies for your furry friend. If your dog is allergic to something, it will show up in the form of sneezing, itchiness, ear infections. Or the nose may secrete a watery fluid to try and clean out any potential infections
Dehydration
Your dog can become dehydrated after vigorous exercise, or spending time in extremely hot temperatures outside. These things can cause dehydration in the whole body, which causes a dry nose. This is particularly common if your dog is frequently active, or if they don’t drink enough water. Dehydration can be checked by looking at your dog’s gums.
Ageing
As your dog gets older, they tend to have drier noses. It’s just a sign of growing older, but it’s nothing to be too alarmed about.
Is a dry dog nose normal?
Yes. A dog’s nose has varying levels of moisture throughout the day. Most of the time, a dry nose is totally normal and completely natural. You don’t need to be overly concerned about a dry dog’s nose, unless their nose has been dry for a prolonged period of time.
That’s when they can start to become cracked and uncomfortable. Not only will this cause your dog some discomfort, but it could also be a sign that something else is wrong.
If you do notice that your dog’s nose is becoming increasingly dry, it’s important to monitor it. Your dog can’t tell you what’s wrong, and they’ll likely continue using their nose to explore the world around them even though it may be causing them discomfort.
How to prevent a dry or cracked dog’s nose
To avoid this, there are some very simple ways you can prevent a dry or cracked dog’s nose.
Removing allergies
If you cannot determine the allergy, you may need to consult a vet to source the allergy. From here, you can address a treatment plan – it could be something small like changing to the dog’s diet, or being prescribed medication to avoid /alleviate the symptoms of the allergic reaction
Track the symptoms
Monitor the dryness on your dog’s nose by tracking when it’s dry, and at what times of the day – or which stimuli will cause the dry nose.
Check for dehydration
Check your dog’s gums. Pink, moist gums are a sign of healthy hydration levels. Dehydrated gums are dry, tacky and pale. If you notice your dog is dehydrated, ensure your dog is getting enough fresh water. It is recommended that dogs drink about one ounce/ per pound every day.
Remove any harsh chemicals from your home environment
Dog noses can become dry or cracked when they are exposed to harsh chemicals (such as the ones found in cleaning products, road grit, or weed killer.) Opt for pet safe cleaning products that do not contain any harsh, abrasive chemicals. When you do use chemical products, try and keep your dog away from them until after use.
Can I put Vaseline on my dog's nose?
It is not advisable to put Vaseline on your dog’s cracked or dry nose. Without having proper allergy tests, you don’t know what your dog may be allergic to. Your dog is very likely to lick their nose (particularly after you put a foreign substance on it). As petroleum jelly is not digestible, it can upset your dog’s stomach.
Not only could it upset your dog’s stomach, but putting foreign substances on your dog’s nose could trigger an underlying allergic reaction.
Can I put olive oil on my dog's nose?
Olive oil is a safer household remedy to your dog’s cracked or dry nose. It helps to lock moisture deeply into the skin. However, it’s not recommended as a regular treatment for a cracked or dry dog nose. It may be a quick fix for dryness, but it doesn’t have the same deep moisturising and healing properties as a specially formulated dog balm
Rhoose Point Remedies Dog Paw & Nose Balm
Rhoose Point Remedies have made a lick-safe dog friendly balm that can help heal your dog’s nose in as little as two days!
We’ve done extensive research on what ingredients to include in our balm to ensure the most safe and effective healing remedy for your dog.
We chose the following ingredients:
Our balm is 100% Natural Beeswax-based. Beeswax is a great foundation for our balm, because it is rich in vitamin A which assists in the healing process of the skin.
Beeswax is also a ‘humectant.’ That means it absorbs and holds moisture. This is particularly helpful for areas which are susceptible to dehydration, such as the muzzle, nose and paw pads.
We only use BBKA (British Beekeeping Association) approved 100% pure, unrefined, organic beeswax in our balm. That means there are no added ingredients used in the extraction or production processes.
Our raw organic coconut oil is cold pressed. We use only fresh, organic coconuts. The coconut oil is not refined, meaning it is not mixed with any other foreign properties or heat treated (this removes its nutritional properties), so our coconut oil is completely pure.
Coconut oil is antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial. This makes it a great component for our balm. This also means it’s a natural antibiotic, and a natural replacement for chemical antibacterials found in chemical-based treatments. It’s also safe to eat, so it’s okay if your dog licks it.
Some other dog balms on the market contain the refined coconut oil mentioned above. The refined coconut oil is heat treated and has most of it’s nutritional properties stripped from the ingredient. Some dogs have shown an allergic reaction to refined coconut oil which is why we have chosen to only include unrefined, cold pressed and nutritionally optimal coconut oil only.
We use unrefined shea butter, which means that no pesticides were added to the shea nuts that have been extracted to create this thick butter. Shea butter is also super rich in vitamins A, E, F and K – which all have incredible nourishing properties.
Shea butter is one of the most nourishing and moisturising natural ingredients for the skin and is often used to combat irritating and sometimes painful skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Sweet Almond Oil is incredibly rich in moisture due to its high Vitamin E content. Its hydrating properties help to secure moisture onto dog paws and noses.
The sweet almond oil in our balm is refined and has no natural scent so that it doesn’t offend our sensitive dogs’ noses whilst maintaining it’s skin treating properties.
Our Vitamin E oil is derived from sunflowers. Our distilled oil helps to soothe irritation and itchiness.
Some Vitamin E oils added in other dog balms on the market contain synthetically produced Vitamin E oil produced from petrochemicals which are not only toxic to pets and humans but bad for our environment too!
Rhoose Point Remedies only ever use the highest quality, natural ingredients to ensure that our products are the safest they can be for you, your loved ones, your pets and the environment.
Calendula oil is used in many skincare recipes that are designed to soothe irritated skin and help heal minor skin damage. It has numerous benefits like aiding to reduce acne, eczema and skin irritations. It improves the overall appearance of skin and helps to keep it hydrated,
Calendula balm is ideal for use on sensitive skin. A study found calendula extract improves wound healing recovery and reduces inflammation of the skin
These ingredients are 100% ethically and sustainably sourced, and they’re completely organic. That’s why our balm is the perfect healing solution to your dog’s cracked or broken paw pads. Our customers love this product – this balm can heal cracked paws in as little as 2 days.
Dogs are curious creatures, and they often use their tongues to explore unfamiliar substances on their skin. That’s why we choose ingredients that are safe to lick and completely non-toxic.
When should you apply Dog Paw & Nose Balm to your dog's nose?
We recommend using our Dog Paw & Nose Balm in three different ways:
1. When your dog’s nose is cracked, sore or dry
During these times, you should apply the balm generously as often as you feel is needed. Dog owners that apply the balm to their pet’s symptomatic areas have shown improvements in as little as 2 days!
2. Before a walk, to protect against the outdoors when your dog may like to sniff at unknown chemicals and irritant
Our Dog Paw & Nose Balm should be applied before each walk (and to their paws if walking on rough terrain)
Apply in the summer especially in the height of season when the weather can be hot as an extra protection against heat and sun damage. (Remember though, please keep your dog safe and avoid walking your dog in during the hottest parts of the day!)
We recommend also applying on cold or icy days when the ground is sometimes covered in salty grit and de-icer that can irritate your best friend’s nose.
3. As a regular part of your dog’s grooming routine.
Dog balm does not have to only be used to heal wounds. It can also be used as a regular part of your dogs grooming routine to help prevent paw injuries and paw irritation from ever occurring and to help keep their skin, paws and noses in top condition.
Apply at night when your pooch is ready to settle for bed to allow the balm to soak into the paws, nose and skin.
Always wipe over your dog’s paws to remove any debris before applying the balm and be gentle with cracked or sore skin.
Dog Paw & Nose Balm by Rhoose Point Remedies
For more information about Rhoose Point Remedies’ Dog Paw & Nose Balm, take a look at our article here. It’s packed full of useful information – including a detailed ingredients list and application instructions.