Maltese Dry Nose Issues

Chances are you’ve heard that it’s a sign of good health if a dog’s nose is cool and wet. But, is this really true? The answer is, sometimes. Dogs do typically have a nose that is slightly cool and moist to the touch. This is mostly due to there being a thin layer of mucus on the nose. It works to absorbs scent particles, allowing canines to make full use of their scenting abilities. 

#1 Exposure to UV rays. Most Maltese have dark black noses due to high levels of melanin, and this offers some level of protection from the sun’s rays. However, it does not make noses invincible. Long-term low-level exposure or acute high-level exposure can dry out the nose skin or cause sunburn on the nose. Sunburn is rarely noticeable on this breed’s dark-colored nose, so it’s normally not until peeling (that may or may not expose the pink skin underneath) develops that an owner realizes there’s a problem. 

#4 Licking an irritated nose. Dogs, often unnoticed by their owners, lick their nose hundreds of times per day. These are often such quick flicks of the tongue that it doesn’t even register to pet parents. And, if a Maltese has a small patch of dry skin on the nose, a runny nose due to seasonal allergies, or any other sort of irritation, they will usually lick even more than normal. Licking a dry nose only serves to make it worse because when saliva evaporates it brings even more moisture along with it. 

The two goals are to offer a layer of protection that prevents any further loss of moisture and to heal and restore the damaged, dry skin. Fortunately, there are some good topical products that can do this. Let’s take a look at a couple excellent options. 

This is a great choice for sunburned noses on dogs that also works very well for dryness, peeling, or cracking. In addition, this awesome blend of Manuka honey, aloe vera, coconut olive, olive oil, shea butter, hemp oil, and vitamins can treat a wide range of issues including itchy skin, hot spots, cracked paws, and skin sores so this is a great product to keep on hand for any of these things that may come up. This can be dabbed on up to 3 times per day until you see results then applied once a week for maintenance.

If a Maltese’s nose is never exposed to the sun, the color can fade. This is known as ‘snow nose’ (since it is most common in the winter) though fortunately it is entirely reversible. So, some sun is needed for this reason. Yet, as we discussed, too much sun can lead to dryness or sunburn, with peeling and cracking right around the corner. 

While most dry nose skin issues can be treated via home remedies, there are some instances when you’ll want to take your Maltese to the veterinarian. 

A very dry nose can be irritating and painful for a dog. And, in many cases this does not resolve without intervention and can worsen over time. So, never ignore this sort of issue with your Maltese; it is much easier to resolve this when spotted early. 

Maltese Dry Skin - If dry skin is more of a full-body problem, often with intense itching, this article offers additional advice. 

When a Maltese Smells Bad - Regardless of how a puppy or dog looks, there can be an odd odor. See the most common reasons and exact steps to have your Maltese smelling nice and clean again. 

When a Maltese Chews at Their Paws - Reasons for this include allergic reactions that cause itching, irritation from walking surfaces, stress, and habit. Learn how to respond and stop this behavior. 

When a Maltese Eats Grass - If your little guy or gal loves to munch on grass, see why this can be detrimental and ways you can stop this habit. 

Vaccination Schedule for Maltese - A summary of which shots are needed when. Includes both puppy vaccinations and adult boosters.