Edited by Dr. Jo
Pugs Nose Care – Why?
Not just Pug Nose…Did you know that dogs’ noses contain over 300 million olfactory receptors, in comparison to humans, who only have 6 million? That means a dog’s ability to sense smells is 50 times greater than ours! In addition to that, the part of the brain which processes the smell signals is proportionally 40 times bigger than a human!
Pug’s noses are beautiful; are you taking good care of your Pug’s nose? Check out here common Pug-nose conditions, how to treat your Pug’s nose correctly (and easily) at home, and the best tips for cleaning and protecting your Pug’s nose!
Dog’s noses are sensitive, but Pug’s noses are even more delicate!
- Pugs can have hereditary conditions, making their noses very small. This can lead to difficulty breathing and needs to be treated by your vet.
- Is your Pug snoring too loud? That rather cute characteristic can be a signal of a greater breathing problem.
- Your Pug can’t have a happy or simply regular life while having a sore nose, breathing issues, among others. It’s a sign that he’s not comfortable!
Let us show you how to identify and avoid some common problems and how to treat certain Pug-nose issues.
Discover how to protect your Pug’s nose to keep it healthy!
Michael T. Nappier – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Pug Nose Problems (and HOW to avoid or treat them)
Pugs are prone to several different issues with their nose, some of which require immediate veterinary attention. Because your Pug’s nose is the way he interacts with the world, you need to keep it as healthy as you can!
Cuts and scratches.
Even though a Pug’s nose is small and flat, it can get cut or scratched if they’re curious or play too rough with other dogs. Most times you can treat it at home with basic first aid. However, if you notice signs of infection or it’s taking more than a few days to heal, you must go to the vet.
Mucus.
Mucus can be a sign of allergies, which are common in Pugs. But it can also be a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection, so if your dog is unwell, you should take him to your vet.
Hyperkeratosis.
Also known as Dry Nose, it affects a Pug’s nose by developing a hard crust of skin. This can be uncomfortable for many dogs but is mostly a cosmetic issue. It is very common in older dogs and can be treated at home.
Brachycephalic Syndrome.
This term involves several genetic traits present in brachycephalic breeds, such as stenotic nares (see below), a long soft palate, and an easily collapsing larynx. If your Pug snores too loud, makes sounds while breathing, has troubles breathing, or suffers from collapsing while exercising, this is probably the problem. The reason why these symptoms happen is that he is struggling to inhale a sufficient amount of oxygen, so he has to breathe even harder, which results in the noises. Your vet can diagnose the syndrome with a clinical examination or by inserting a small camera. It must be treated with surgery while your Pug is still young, to prevent further complications.
Stenotic Nares.
This is when the nostrils of a Pug’s nose are very small or tight, making the process of breathing very difficult. This disease is present in most of the brachycephalic breeds including the Pug. This is the result of genetics resulting in malformed cartilage in the nostrils of the nose. It might not cause trouble while the Pug is a puppy, but it will once the Pug reaches adult age. This is only treatable by surgery to widen the nostrils. The surgery is quick and simple and recommended whether or not your Pug is showing clinical signs.
Note: Your Pug shouldn’t go under surgery to cure any of these troubles until she/he’s big enough. Waiting until his first birthday is a good idea as he should be fully grown at the time of surgery.
AKC – American Kennel Club.
How Often Should I Clean My Pug Nose
Pugs’ nose should be checked on a daily basis and cleaned as and when needed.
How To Clean a Pug Nose: Practical (And Easy) STEPS!
Now that you know how important it is to keep his nose clean, you’ll want to add the nose-cleaning routine to your Pug’s wrinkle cleaning routine. This will save you some time!
- Get what you need: Get together some all-natural wipes for Pugs’ wrinkles and cream to treat dry noses. You can do it at the same time as cleaning your Pug’s wrinkles, and follow our wrinkle cleaning steps for Pugs to do it properly.
- Wipe gently: Like with any other breed, the nose is quite sensitive. You’ll want to do this softly, by putting almost no pressure on their noses, and with a wipe, that’s soft enough.
- Bring out the mucus! If he has mucus, you must use a warm washcloth and massage the upper area of their nose under the wrinkle to make it come out. Then, you can use a wipe to clean-up the mucus that comes out. Another method you can use is a baby’s nasal aspirator if he allows you (not all dogs will!). That will help you remove the mucus from inside the nose carefully. If it is excessive or your Pug seems unwell, take him to your vet.
- Put on some cream! If his nose has developed hyperkeratosis, you should apply a balm or oil-based cream to help soften it. We recommend you to check out our selection of wrinkle creams for Pugs to find the best for his nose!
- It’s reward-time! Give your friend a treat for Pugs or some time to play with her/him! That can help make the experience a fun and positive time for her/him!
This type of care is necessary for Pugs’ health and quality of life because it will help them to breathe better!
Discover Useful Products To Clean Pug Nose and Keep it HEALTHY!
For having an effective cleaning routine, you must use quality products. Check-out Our Detailed Reviews for Pugs to pick the best product for your friend. We have invested time and effort to ease your buying decision!
- Grooming Wipes for Pugs: Natural and hypoallergenic, there are excellent choices to pick from. They’re also very convenient to clean your Pug’s wrinkles.
- Nose Creams or Balms for Pugs: There are specially crafted balms for Pug’s noses and wrinkles. They are perfect to protect your Pug’s nose from dryness. They also quickly relieve itchy wrinkles, heals irritation, protects them from friction, and moisture.
- Q-Tips: Good old Q-Tips are great for getting dry mucus out of your Pug’s nose. But make sure to use a small Q-Tip because big ones can be invasive.
- Saline solution: A simple saline solution is a good option to loosen up dry mucus inside and around your Pug’s nostrils (if you’re lucky enough to have a Pug that tolerates it!). You can apply just a drop or two using a syringe directly to your dog’s nose. After that, use a Baby Nasal Aspirator (Amazon) to drain everything.
Note for our members: We make plenty of reviews from different brands in the Dog Supplies Market. We DO NOT get free products from product companies and have NO relationship whatsoever with them.
Frequently Asked Questions – Pug Nose Problems
It’s normal for Pugs to be loud while breathing because of their brachycephalic facial structure. If they are too noisy, consider taking them to the vet for a check-up. It might be because of stenotic nares or Brachycephalic Syndrome.
Most of them are prone to this issue when they reach their senior years. That’s why you must keep a vigilant eye to spot crusty noses.
Most Pug’s noses are not wide open, but they do have some space. If the space is too little, it might be a case of stenotic nares. Make sure you get your vet to check it out.
Conclusion
Keeping your Pug’s nose soft and healthy couldn’t be easier if you follow our steps. Using the proper wipes to do it will save you from causing irritation to your Pug’s sensitive nose. Creams and ointments can also help you avoid crusty, dry noses, which can become sore and painful. Doing this should take you no longer than a few minutes, and a couple of treats can help your Pug love this time too!
So, does your Pug still have a crusty nose? Please share your thoughts…
