You have most certainly heard the expression that a healthy Frenchie has a moist nose. But in actuality, the Frenchie nose goes through phases of being both wet & dry in response to a wide range of stimuli. However, complications might emerge if the skin of the nose gets so dry that it splits or flakes. The discomfort caused by a nose that is too dry might alter the way in which your dog perceives the outside environment. So, let us discuss all the possible reasons for dry French Bulldog's nose and how to treat it!
There are many reasons why the French Bulldog's nose becomes dry, which include the following:
- Anatomical issues for Brachycephalic breeds
- Environmental factors
- Inactivity
- Overactivity
- Age
- Medical Conditions
Let us discuss all these reasons in detail.
Reasons Why Does Your French Bulldog's Nose Become Dry
-
Anatomical issues for Brachycephalic breeds
Due to the anatomical structure of their heads, brachycephalic dog breeds such as French Bulldogs are particularly prone to developing dry and cracked noses.
-
Environmental factors
Your Frenchie's nose will certainly dry if he continues to stand too near to a heat source. It's possible that excessive exposure to the sun is to blame for this. Sunburns on the nose may occur in dogs in the same way they can occur on people's skin when exposed to the sun. You may avoid this from happening by using sunblocks that are suitable for pets. Your French Bulldog may be resting too close to a fireplace during winter, causing his nose to get too dry.
-
Inactivity
Your Frenchie's nose may be dry because he doesn't get enough exercise. Less active canines, particularly older dogs, are more likely to suffer from dry noses. Dogs constantly lick their noses in order to stimulate the production of hormones that cause moisture to be secreted. When your French Bulldog is sleeping, he is not licking his nose as he does when he is awake. Because of this, his dry nose may result from the amount of napping he's been doing recently.
-
Overactivity
Your dog's nose may grow dry if he's been engaging in strenuous activity or is really excited about anything. This is because he won't be licking his nose, he won't be drinking, and he'll be drying off from the air as he runs around. Exercising for an extended period might lead to minor dehydration, which will cause the nose to dry.
-
Age
Older Frenchies are more prone to having dry noses.
-
Medical Conditions
Several different medical issues might contribute to the dry nose of a French Bulldog. This includes the following:
Image | Title | Details |
---|---|---|
![]() | Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats (4th Edition) | Learn More |
![]() | Multifunctional Supplements for Dogs - Glucosamine Chondroitin for Joint Support with Probiotics for Gut | Learn More |
![]() | Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers Grain Free Gut Health Grain Free All Natural Dog Food Topper, 12.5 oz. Bag | Learn More |
![]() | Omega 3 Fish Oil for Dogs - Better Than Salmon Oil for Dogs - Dog Fish Oil Supplement - Reduce Shedding & Itching | Learn More |
-
Fever
Many different diseases and illnesses might give rise to a fever. A dog sick with a fever will have additional disease symptoms, including excessive nose licking, lethargy, and general weakness.
-
Dehydration
Your Frenchie may be dehydrated because he isn't getting enough water. Your dog's nose can get dry and even crack from dehydration. Your French Bulldog risks developing renal failure if this issue is not handled as soon as feasible. Especially when the weather is hot and humid, you should ensure that your Frenchie drinks plenty of fresh water. You must take them to the veterinarian if they urinate or drink more than usual. They will be able to rule out conditions like diabetes and renal disease, both of which can lead to dehydration.
-
Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis
This hereditary disease manifests itself on the nose as crusting and cracking marks. Frenchies are the most likely breed to be affected by this condition, which manifests itself between the ages of 8 months and one year. The good news is that other than that, these canines are in perfect health. Because there is a genetic test for this disease, prudent breeders are able to simply avoid passing this problem on to their offspring and prevent their puppies from developing the condition.
-
Dry Eye
The extra tears that your dog produces are drained through tear ducts in his eyes and into his nasal cavity. If your dog suffers from keratoconjunctivitis sicca (also known as dry eye) or clogged tear ducts, then the moisture that should be reaching his nose will not be. If there is an obstruction in your dog's tear ducts, he will have wet eyes, and the tears will run down the side of the nose. If he suffers from KCS, he can have a heavy discharge coming from his eyes, constantly squinting and rubbing his eyes, or both of these symptoms.
-
Allergies
Food, contact, and environmental allergies are common in Frenchies, as are Frenchie-specific seasonal allergies. Allergens might cause dryness and even cracking of the nose in your French Bulldog. They may have an allergy to pollen, dander, or hair from other animals. In addition, your Frenchie may experience adverse responses to particular beverages, foods, or medications. Plastics are another common factor in developing nasal hypersensitivity in canine patients. You can avoid dishes and toys made of plastic. It is best to discuss the specific sensitivity of your Frenchie with your trusted veterinarian.
-
Autoimmune Disorders
Pemphigus and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) are two examples of autoimmune illnesses that have the potential to lead to dry nasal passages. Dogs affected with DLE will have lesions around the nose as well as changes in pigmentation (color). Additionally, the nose itself will frequently become completely smooth and dry. Furthermore, bleeding may occur on the surface of the nose. Pemphigus is characterized by the presence of lesions in various locations on the body of the dog.
-
Leishmaniasis
Sand flies are the vectors for transmitting the parasite that causes this sickness. The leishmaniasis produces changes in pigmentation and a dry, brittle hair coat in addition to hyperkeratosis, which is the overgrowth of keratin or the thickening and hardness of the tissues. Hyperkeratosis can occur on the snout and paw pads. Typically, dogs are affected by the visceral version of this disease, and they display typical symptoms of illness such as lethargy, hunger, vomiting, diarrhea, dry nose, and pain.
-
Canine Distemper (CD)
This viral illness may be extremely infectious and frequently results in death. There are many possible symptoms, but all infected canines are in very poor health. The good news is that you can protect your dog or puppy from canine distemper by ensuring that his immunization against the disease is always up to date.
How To Treat a French Bulldog's Dry Nose?
The dry nose of a French Bulldog is not difficult to cure at home, as the breed is known for its ease of care. These simple actions should result in a favorable outcome:
- To begin, you have to moisturize the skin. You should thus fully bathe their nose with good warm water (not water that is either too hot or too cold, since this would make your Frenchie uncomfortable). It is up to you to choose the best manner to accomplish this, but as long as the water is lukewarm and you don't scrape him in any way.
- After ensuring that your hands are spotless, you should apply some moisturizer to the affected region. One more time, your French Bulldog will not be irritated by this, and in fact, in a short time, it could really make some of the discomfort go away for them.
- Apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the affected area once daily for approximately a week and a half. However, if you notice that the condition has worsened or has not resolved after this period, you should contact your veterinarians to discuss the various available solutions.
Conclusion
In most cases, you will discover that the condition of a dry nose on your Frenchie companion will rapidly go away with a little amount of home care on your part. However, the solution to these and other issues lies in early detection, which must be done before any possible infection can take hold.
Regrettably, this is simply one of those things that can happen with French Bulldogs, and it is something that you might have to deal with at some point throughout their short lives. Despite this, they are unquestionably valuable and lovely companions.

As a freelance pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. But her first and very most important job is as a dog auntie and cockatiel, tortoise, and box turtle mama.