Bright eyes, perky ears, a face full of expressions… these are just some of our favorite things when we look at our dogs. But more than being cute, your dog’s face can be a great indicator of his or her overall health. Believe it or not, your dog’s wiggling nose can be one way to tell if your dog needs a little extra TLC and attention.

Give it a try — reach over and feel your pup’s nose. Is it smooth, cool and moist? Or is it rough and dry? You may not have given it much thought before, but a dry nose can quickly go from bad to worse, if not treated properly. If left alone, your dog’s dry nose can quickly begin to form crusty scabs that crack and bleed. Contrary to the old wives’ tale, a dry nose doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog is sick — but it does often indicate an underlying issue.

Not only is a dry nose uncomfortable for your dog, it also interferes with their ability to smell properly. A dog’s sense of smell is by far their strongest sense, and one they rely on heavily. When your dog’s nose is dried out, he or she can’t process scents and smells as well, which can lead to confusion, agitation, and nervousness. Read on for four things that you should do if your dog has a dry nose.

Pay attention to the details. If you notice that your dog has a dry nose, tracking the details could help you pinpoint the cause. Does your dog only get a dry nose at particular times of the day or only during certain seasons? There are many potential causes for a dry nose, including illness, dehydration, weather, allergens, irritants, and more. Your vet can help you get to the root of the problem. Having answers ready for their questions can help him or her pinpoint the cause of your dog’s dry nose.

Remove any potential allergens from your dog’s environment. Allergies are one of the leading causes of dry noses in dogs. The tricky part of figuring out allergies, however, is that different dogs are triggered by different allergens. So what works for one dog won’t necessarily work for another. Believe it or not, plastic is a common allergen among dogs, and can lead to a dry and irritated nose. If your dog has a plastic food or water bowl, try switching it out for a stainless steel or enamel bowl. Certain foods and treats can also trigger allergies. Pay attention to what your dog eats and try to narrow down anything that could potentially be causing an allergic reaction.

Call your veterinarian. If you notice a dry nose on your dog, but can’t seem to figure out any allergies he or she may be suffering from, it may be time to place a call to your trusted veterinary professional. He or she can examine your dog and rule out any serious medical issues, such as canine skin disorders or an underlying illness. A full panel allergy test can also help you pinpoint any allergies your dog may have.

Treat your dog to instant relief from the discomfort of a dry nose. As we’ve come to realize, there are many causes of a dry nose in dogs.Tests, establishing allergies, and vet visits are great for getting to the root of the problem — but it can take a while to arrive at any answers. What can you do in the meantime? Our  On the Nose Therapy Balm comes in an easy to use tube, and provides immediate, effective, and natural relief of dry nose pads. Further, regular use of our product will help protect your dog’s nose from future dry spells, keeping you both happy.

At Eye Envy, we offer a wide range of safe, natural, and effective products designed to help keep your pets healthy, happy, and looking their best. We offer products to help remove stubborn tear stains from dogs and cats, as well as a complete line of products for your pet’s ears, nose, beard, paws, skin and more. We even offer a full line of shampoos, tools, and kits. Check out our gallery for untouched before and after photos, and read through our blog to stay up to date and learn more about caring for your pet.

If you have any questions about any of our products, feel free to email us through our  contact form or call us directly at 310.530.5341. We welcome your questions and would love to hear from you.