A Dog’s Nose Knows…

Since ancient times when the first domesticated dogs sat by the fire with their human masters and used their noses to nuzzle for more attention, we as humans have developed a fondness for those wet, cool snouts of our canine companions. Even as I’m writing this, Mandy, our red Doberman, is pushing her nose up from under the desk looking for a little desired affection.

It’s a method of communication that’s imminently clear to all of us dog owners, and one that helps to develop and strengthen the bond between dog and owner.

But a dog’s nose is truly unlike ours. First, as our ancestors discovered, dogs’ sense of smell is infinitely more powerful than ours, and not only great for assisting in the hunt, but for helping to find the lost or missing. And dogs’ noses can be indispensable for those more difficult tasks in disaster scenarios of rescue and recovery.

But it not only functions better, but differently as well. We all know that a dog’s nose is generally “wet”, but most don’t know that this is due to excess tears that actually flow down through the nose, and are licked and spread around by the dog. This added lubrication actually traps odors, improving the olfactory process. Dogs don’t exhale through their nose, and when they inhale, they can actually separate out the flow for respiratory and olfactory purposes.

We’ve been posting some interesting facts on the importance of the sense of smell for dogs. For instance, did you know:

• Dogs can smell 10,000 to 100,000 times better than the average human! Alexandria Horowitz a “dog-cognition” researcher at Barnard College, shared this interesting example: If we are able to detect a teaspoon of sugar in our morning coffee, a dog is able to detect that same teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water.
• Some Dogs’ Ears Work With Their Noses.Many dog breeds feature long, floppy ears to give them the unique talent of fanning aromas up into their nostrils, making their noses all the better to smell with.
• Humans have fingerprints; dogs have nose prints. Every pup’s is unique, and it’s commonly used as a way to identify pups.

There’s a common belief that a healthy dog should always have a “wet” nose, and if a dog’s nose is “dry”, he could be sick. Actually this is an overstatement. Dog’s noses will fluctuate in wetness several times daily due to the amount of tears being produced. A dry nose doesn’t necessarily mean your dog is sick, unless it’s coupled with lethargy and other symptoms. But it could indicate an underlying condition such as an allergy or other irritant.

A dry scaly nose isn’t just uncomfortable for your canine family member; it actually can interfere with their sense of smell. In fact, dogs use their moist noses to analyze and understand the world around them. Dogs can’t smell as well without a moist snout, causing them to become agitated and possibly even nervous. And left untreated, can quickly go from bad to worse, resulting dry scabs that can flake off and bleed.

So if you notice your dog’s nose isn’t smooth and moist, but trending to rough and dry, TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION and order our new k9comfort nose balm! It’s an all-natural balm rich in organic Colorado hemp CBD oil and other natural emollients, without any chemical additives or unpleasant tastes or smells for your canine companion. It’s easy to apply, and provides fast relief.

Our dogs know when their noses aren’t up to snuff. And now it easy for you to know as well. Just look for the telltale signs of a dry, chapped snout and you’ll know what to do!

k9comfort nose balm from Imbue Botanicals. For those who know.

with all our best,

Tom