Alaskan Malamute Nose Butter

Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and all the various mixes not only can have Snow Nose or Winter Nose, they can also have a basic dry nose or the extreme Nasal Hyperkeratosis, where the nose is overgrown with excess skin tissue.

The good news is any level of basic dry nose issue can be treated and maintained with Nose Butter usage.

Y'all know we gotta say this, check with your vet if needed.

Many years ago we tested an all natural sunscreen for dogs using additional essential oils and herbal components. Since it was a handcrafted product it would have been impossible to get a consistent SPF number for it.

Our concern was also that someone whose dog had a lighter nose like a Vizsla etc. would apply the product once at 8am and be shocked when their dog's nose was sunburned at 6pm after a day at the beach.

Be VERY Careful if a product makes claims as to sun protection for dogs, yet does not have an appropriate SPF number issued by an independent party. Rant over.

There are two types of lupus (immune system attacks itself) in dogs: systemic and discoid. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is rare in dogs. SLE attacks various tissues in the body; kidneys, skin, heart, lungs, nervous system, blood, and/or joints.

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is a type of SLE, but is localized and doesn't spread through the entire system. DLE is skin specific and the sores are confined to the face and nose. The Nordic Dogs may have a genetic predisposition towards developing DLE. A biopsy is required to 100% diagnose DLE. 

First they lose the pigment around their nose and the nose texture gets abnormally smooth. Next, crust and open sores or ulcerated areas form. The nose, lips, ears, the skin around the eyes, and occasionally the genitals are affected.

Exposure to the sun aggravates this condition and your dog must have sun protection. There are precious few organic sunscreen ingredients available that really help shield from the sun’s rays. Zinc oxide is the most well known, but ingestion can cause zinc toxicity in dogs. So, the sun protection options with no zinc that are natural are very limited. 

Official Disclaimer: This is presented as info only – consult your vet for a definitive diagnosis and course of action! 

#1 Tip - Warm product before application for faster absorption

• To warm; stick in your pocket, bra, or scoop some out & warm in palm
• Open the tin or tube
• Gently control your dog's face (jowls, side of face or under their chin)
• Don't use a head-lock - that is a big trigger
• Tag Team - have someone hold & you apply
• (Tin) Scoop a bit out appropriate to the size of your dog’s nose
• Dab it on their nose (doesn't have to be precise)
• You do not have to rub it in, it will melt quickly, especially if you warmed it up a bit
• Distract to keep them from licking or rubbing it off
• Repeat 2-3x a day for 1-3 days or until nose is back in shape
• Then use as needed for maintenance (usually 1-2x a week)

It's not rocket science, but there are tips that make application faster and easier for you and your dog.

• Give a cookie or treat before, during and after application
• Cuddles, pets, repeat as needed
• Feed their dinner (with extra yummies)
• Play your dog's fave game
• Throw a ball
• Go for a walk
• Pet them, lavish praise on them for their overall good dog-ness
• TIP! Not only does something positive (like cookies) take their mind off having something done to them, it also build an association between GOOD STUFF and Nose Butter application.

If you are unsure what is going on with a Collie-Type dog's nose consult your veterinarian.

• Apply as in the previous tip
• After 2-3 days of multiple daily application (do the best you can, 2-3x a day is great), test the crusty stuff with a bit of tissue and see if it will crumbles off
• If it does NOT crumble right off (it will look like black, greasy dirt), keep applying Nose Butter 2-3x a day until it easily, without picking, comes off.
• Resist the urge to pick as tempting as it may be.

The crusty stuff is actually skin and hurts your dog if you pick it off, just like us pulling a scab off a skinned knee too soon.

The Bad News is there is no CURE for Nasal Hyperkeratosis, it is a condition.

If you stop using Nose Butter, the dryness and crust will probably come back.

The Good News is maintenance usage of Nose Butter keeps the Nasal Hyperkeratosis under control.

When our hands are really cracked and dry we can use lotion to get them in shape, but we can't slather lotion on our hands once and be moisturized for life.

Like cutting your dog's toenails...Nose Butter is part of their health care regimen.

Ouch! That hurts! It's not that your dog loathes the actual Nose Butter (we hope not), they probably DO dislike being held tightly in a head-lock.

If your dog has had ongoing issues that meant painful tests, etc. of their nose, they may just be tired of being messed with.

When we control our dogs it takes away their fight-or-flight defense mechanism. That amygdala part of the brain takes over and screams RUN AWAY! Let them stand on all fours and gently hold them while you dab Nose Butter on.

Dogs are also often triggered by physically being held tightly or controlled. This may come from puppy play, when they wrestle and play-fight. It's not fun for dogs (or us) to have siblings pile on and make us feel helpless. (I'm looking at my three sisters).

Also, keep the mood upbeat and fun. Make a game of applying Nose Butter and follow it up with treats and most dogs can be won over.