An How Do I Treat It

    Do you remember when you first laid eyes on your bull dog and you fell in love with that beautiful wrinkled face, and smack dab in the middle of that pushed in face was that cute little black and shiny wet nose?….What happened ,and you thought why did that little snout become not only cracked and dry, but also uncomfortable and even painful for your dog, most importantly how do I treat it..

    Your bulldog’s nose secretes mucus on their nose that absorbs scent chemicals, which a dog can then sample in olfactory glands on the roof of his mouth, that aids their sense of smell. Having a moist, spongy snout is essential to his instincts and wellbeing, so that he may smell his environment. It is how they explore their world around them and also recognize the people they love.

It’s also important to remember that dogs sweat through their paws and noses, which helps them to cool down.

   Do not think however that just because a dog’s nose is warm, dry or cracked that he is necessarily sick, on the contrary, a dog can also be sick and still have a wet nose.The moisture and the temperature level of your dog’s nose can fluctuate with the weather or environmental conditions. A dog’s nose can also be dry when he has just awakened from a peaceful nap.

   There are several possible causes of bulldogs having a dry and cracked nose all of which you  can not only prevent, but you can treat and cure. Some of the causes range from allergies to weather, a  dry environment, or even a health condition called Nasal Hyperkeratosis.In some cases it can be advisable to see your veterinarian

What Causes Dry Cracked Nose in Bulldogs

Allergies:

 Bulldogs are very prone to seasonal allergies including pollen allergies, just like humans.. Avoid plastic bowls and toys as they can also have contact allergies .Make sure to keep food and water bowls clean, otherwise dry food and saliva on sides of bowls can stick to his nose.If you are concerned that allergies might be the culprit, you can rid your home of potentially dangerous and allergy causing chemicals when you clean. There are many pet safe cleaning products. If this has just become a new problem, try to think of any changes you have made in your home such as a change in laundry detergent, or even different dog food or treats.. Never hesitate to consult with your vet about your dog’s sensitivities if you cannot find the cause.

Weather:

:Exposure to extreme heat, or cold exposure, or indoor heating in winter, especially if your dog likes to snuggle up beside a heat source, can really contribute to a dry, cracked nose. Never underestimate the strength of the sun and that can lead to sunburn on that tender snout, which will become dry and peel. Always be mindful that bulldogs tend to over heat in the summer as they are not efficient at panting and therefore are not able to cool down as easily as other dog breeds. They also have a really hard time with extreme heat because their noses are too small for them to breathe deeply enough for cooling them down or warming them up. Equally they are not able to withstand cold temperatures either, anything below freezing is too cold for going for walks. However keeping your bulldog in 60 degree temperature for too long whether it’s indoors or outdoors will have  adverse effects in which he will catch a cold. Therefore the ideal temperature for your bulldogs optimum health is around 70 degrees, give or take 5 degrees.  

Dehydration:

Always make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh drinking water to avoid dehydration.

For those hot summer days, try adding some ice cubes to his water dish, he will love it. Never take him out for a walk without bringing a fresh supply of ready available drinking water. Dehydration in dogs can not just lead to a dry or cracked nose, but it is also a potentially life threatening condition. Not drinking enough fluid can cause serious organ damage and even death.Never hesitate to contact your vet if you suspect your dog is dehydrated,  And remember, your dog sweats through his nose, so a healthy nose, that is not dry or cracked is paramount.

Medical Conditions: 

Dry and cracked nose is a very common condition in all dogs but especially bulldogs. In some cases it can be Nasal Hyperkeratosis, which causes nose tissue to grow uncontrollably, covering the nose in scab like skin. Research has shown that it is caused by having a slightly depressed immune system. Dogs with extremely flat faces….bulldogs are at risk.This condition is caused when too much keratin, the protein that creates the top layer of skin on the nose is created. The dry skin becomes so thick and hard that it starts to look more like tree bark. .Due to the shape of their skull a bulldog can’t lick their nose easily, which is another reason that their nose can become dry and cracked..  This condition is going to be a lifetime condition and daily maintenance is recommended. Thankfully there are many ways to treat his nose. 

How To Treat Dry and Cracked Nose For Bulldogs

Step One: Cleaning the nose

 Have some distractions ready as you will need to have some treats handy,a belly rub, or maybe apply some peanut butter to his paw he will lick his paws while allowing the snout soother to fully absorb. Maybe be ready to play a game of tug of war with their favorite toy or better yet, take them for a walk, make sure the collar and leash is already on so you will be ready to roll.. Next , prepare a soft, warm, wet face cloth, and begin to give his little snout a delicate cleaning, being mindful that the skin is cracked and therefore you should not rub too hard. Absolutely do not pick at the dry skin as it can easily bleed and become infected.in time with proper care these crusty scabs will come off on their own.

Step Two: Applying the treatment 

There are many treatments that you can apply to treat his nose. All though vaseline can in fact work in a pinch if there is nothing else. Try to opt out for unrefined cold pressed Coconut oil. It’s easy to find at the grocery store and it is totally safe to treat your dog with as it is a food grade.  There are other products on the market  that are specifically made for the sole purpose of treating dry cracked noses but we will discuss that later. Begin by taking approximately a teaspoon of coconut oil on our fingers and let him sniff it for a few seconds before applying it to his snout.Try if  you can to make it room temperature so as not to shock your dog. Begin rubbing his head or face with one hand distracting him and then gently begin rubbing it into his nose with the other hand using your fingertips as best as you can.He may try to lick it off but a bull dogs tongue cant reach to far over his nose so he can lick it off. You need to repeat this application at least four times a day, gradually tapering off applications to just once a day and once healed, it may only need maintenance of applications just two or three times a week. Unfortunately with bulldogs many of them suffer from Nasal Hyperkeratosis and you will be applying treatments for the rest of his life and he will be so happy for it.

Step Three: Treatment Options

(Nose Butter and Lotions)

 There are several options available you can order online including on Amazon. I recommend The Blissful Dog Nose butter for Bulldogs, which comes in several different sizes as well as in a stick. Another product that I like is Pawsitive Fx happy snouts dog nose balm also available in different sizes and sticks. My favorite is Organic Snout Soother Natural Dog Company,it works amazing on my bullie. Its totally organic, vegan and it’s an all natural healing balm, also it has a natural SBF sunburn protection.It is scent free so it will not aggravate your dogs sensitive snout which is so important being that he will have it on his nose all day .Please do not use over the counter lotions like Aquafor, it may work but the ingredients are not all natural and not meant for human consumption, let alone for your dog. While I have my favorites there are other products  online and one must pay attention, some products don’t ship to different countries..so you can research what does and what works best for your best friends dry cracked nose..

Dry Snouts No More

Dry and cracked noses can be terribly detrimental for your dog’s ability to follow its natural instincts to sniff their environment. Your dog is not only uncomfortable, but his mental well being can significantly be affected as he can become confused, frustrated. Your dog senses a loss of control when no longer able to do what he does best.Treating your dog’s nose and keeping it moist will mean your dog will be not only healthier but also happier. There are many treatments options such as nose butters and balms available to help keep those noses free of dryness and cracks. Make sure to rub that coconut oil on three times a day until you find a product you can order online.