Who doesn't love a cold, wet dog nose rubbing up against them? However, if you go to nuzzle with your canine friend and notice his nose is dry, it's important to know what dog dry nose treatment to use and when his dry nose is serious enough to require a trip to the veterinarian.
Your dog's nose is an amazing part of his body. NOVA notes that a dog's nose has around 300 million olfactory receptors (the cells that detect and process scents), compared to about 6 million in your nose. The area of the canine brain devoted to analyzing odors is about 40 times larger than the comparable part of the human brain. All of this fine-tuning means that a dog can detect faint whiffs that are the equivalent of a teaspoon of sugar in two Olympic-sized swimming pools. A wet dog nose means a nose at work!
But why does your pup's sniffer have to be moist? The wet layer on his nose helps him hold in scents. When your dog licks his nose, it's a way to taste the scents and really take in his surroundings. Your dog also sweats through his nose, so having a wet nose can be a sign that your dog is cooling down in a healthy way. Unfortunately there are times when your pup's nose may dry up, and it is important to know when to be concerned about a dry nose.
Although your dog's nose may get dry here and there, a nose that remains dry for longer than a day probably needs some attention. When deciding on a dog dry nose treatment, first consider some important factors.
Before you ever apply anything to your dog's nose, make sure to consult your veterinarian. Every dog is unique, and what might have worked for one dog does not mean it will necessarily work for your dog. Your veterinarian may even let you know that you have nothing to be concerned about.
Your dog's nose provides an important way for him to interact with his environment. If his nose becomes dry, be sure to look for accompanying signs and seek a soothing treatment.
Chrissie Klinger is an educator, writer and mother of two children, three dogs and three cats. Her dog Jake loves sitting on her lap every chance he gets! She enjoys living an active and eco-friendly lifestyle in rural Pennsylvania.
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