Separation anxiety is common in many of our canine companions and one way they may show their dislike for you leaving the house is by rubbing their nose raw on things like dog kennels, door frames, or furniture.

This behavior can lead to further trauma to their skin and infections of the affected area if it’s not taken care of.

dog nose rubbing raw anxiety

Not only is this behavior directly linked to anxiety and being in a kennel, but it can also be a symptom of allergies.

Keep reading to find out why your dog is rubbing their nose raw and ways that you can help!

What Is Kennel Nose In Dogs?

The term “kennel nose” is used to describe redness and abrasions of the nose from excessive rubbing against a surface such as carpet, grass and kennel doors.

The reason for calling it the name is because the injury is seen most commonly in dogs that are kept in a crate, cage or kennel.

Dogs will rub their noses for several reasons. Sometimes it’s just a minor itch, other times it’s something more severe such as allergies or pain.

Here are the main reasons why your dog may be rubbing their nose on their kennel or other surfaces of the home.

  • A dirty face
  • Allergies
  • Pain or discomfort
  • Anxiety

The signs of kennel nose in dogs include:

  • Excessive face rubbing
  • Red, raw nose
  • Bleeding skin
  • Discharge from the affected area

What Causes Kennel Nose? 

As mentioned above, there can be several reasons for your dog’s nose rubbing.

Let’s dive into more of the medical explanations behind kennel nose and why it can be a problem.

Top Kennel Nose Causes

Kennel Nose And Allergies In Dogs

Kennel nose can be caused by allergies.

When a dog has allergies, they will often be itchy, which can lead to them chewing, licking or rubbing any part of their body for relief - face and nose included.

It is important to ensure that your dog is on a reputable flea prevention since skin parasites can certainly contribute to your dog’s itchy face.

Signs of an underlying condition like a mite infestation or mange should be checked by your vet as well.

Your Dog’s Face Is Dirty

Dogs will rub their face against furniture or other surfaces in order to try and get relief from what they think is a foreign substance—in this case, dirt.

If you notice your dog rubbing her face on the ground or another surface, be sure to take a look at their mouth and skin for signs of injury or illness.

Breeds that have short noses and lots of face wrinkles are very prone to infections, dirt and irritation to the skin folds of their face.

This is called “face fold dermatitis” and it needs to be monitored closely and kept clean. Wiping out their wrinkles with a warm washcloth can help.

Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety

A dog may rub their nose raw due to separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety can be one of the most difficult issues for any dog, and some dogs show signs of it by chewing things in your house or rubbing their nose raw on their kennel or door frames while you’re gone.

If destructive or traumatizing behaviors are seen, then try leaving your dog with a family member or friend when you have to leave for work or an errand, but make sure they are someone who is used to caring for animals and that your pup feels comfortable with.

If finding a pup-sitter isn’t an option, you may have to find a crate that is designed for dogs that are anxious or destructive.

Take a look at the brand, Impact Dog Crates!

They are the go to for traveling and helping dogs with separation anxiety trauma such as nose rubbing.

Your Dog’s Face Is Painful Or Irritated

If your dog’s rubbing their face on the ground more than normal, check for any signs of inflammation or abrasions that could cause discomfort in your dog.

Sometimes dogs will rub their faces on the ground as a reaction to overall stress or tension. Untreated pain and irritation is often the reason for a pet’s self trauma to a specific area.

A tooth abscess or injury to the mouth will often lead to a dog rubbing their face on the floor or other object.

This may be an undesirable behavior but it feels good to them temporarily.

Do your best to not allow them to further traumatize the area if possible.

Less Common Causes For Your Dog’s Nose Rubbing

Besides the main explanations for nose rubbing, sometimes there are some less common causes as well, such as food allergies or simply just a bad habit.

Food Allergies In Dogs

Allergic responses to specific ingredients in their dog food can cause hair loss and itching of the face, nose and mouth.

It is important to slowly switch from an old brand of food to a new one.

However, that doesn’t always mean your dog’s face itching is due to food allergies.

If you suspect that your dog is having a reaction to their food or the environment, you should have them examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible to get them some much needed relief.

Sometimes It’s Just A Habit

Witnessing a dog rubbing their face on the grass or carpet does not always mean that you have to rush them to the veterinarian.

It is completely normal for them to have an itch that they need scratched sometimes and rubbing their face is fine.

As long as it doesn’t turn into them traumatizing the area, of course.

How To Treat Kennel Nose

Treating your dog’s kennel nose starts at the root of the problem.

You must first identify the cause of it, whether it’s allergies, a wound or anxiety driven.

This will make all the difference when it comes to treatment.

Tackle Any Environmental Or Food Allergies

Your veterinarian will help you to identify the leading cause of your dog’s kennel nose.

They will decide what the best recommended treatment is based on their history and the dog’s clinical signs.

If your dog is having an allergy flare and that is the main cause of their face rubbing, starting them on a medication to help stop the itch will help improve their symptoms the most.

Prescription, veterinary drugs such as Apoquel or Cytopoint will be the most effective in reducing your dog’s itchiness.

However, some veterinarians may prescribe steroids or antihistamines.

Treatment of secondary skin infections from wounds can easily be cleared up with antibiotics.

There are also medicated wipes that veterinarians may recommend for cleaning face folds.

Reduce Their Anxiety

In cases where a dog is traumatizing themselves due to separation anxiety, the first thing that needs to be addressed is the unwanted behavior.

Your dog will not heal properly if they continue to reinjure and traumatize the area every time they go into a kennel.

Finding a kennel that is geared towards dogs that have separation anxiety, such as Impact Dog Crates, will truly go a long way.

Their kennels are designed to handle companions such as the ones that tear themselves up (or the kennel) anytime that you leave the house.

They are dark with no cage bars for them to rub their nose against, creating a safer and more peaceful environment for your anxious doggo.

In some rare cases, a dog will need to be put on drugs such as Prozac (Fluoxetine) in order to minimize their anxiety behaviors.

Consulting with a board certified canine behaviorist is recommended in many of these situations as anxiety and destructiveness can be a very difficult thing to change.

Putting blankets, towels, toys or beds inside a kennel with a destructive dog will only lead to them tearing up those objects and potentially ingesting them.

It is not recommended to have those items in their kennel until they are no longer destructive when you leave.

Crate Training From A Young Age

In order to help eliminate separation anxiety in your dog, you should have them trained to feel comfortable and safe when in their kennel.

It is best if you can start this training at a young age, but if you adopt an older dog who has this undesirable anxiety, you can speak with a trainer or behaviorist about how to help.

How To Treat Kennel Nose At Home?

At home treatments are totally fine as long as the issue is a minor one that you can handle swiftly.

If your dog’s nose is only a little red, try just keeping it clean, dry and free of future trauma.

Clean Your Dog’s Face Regularly

Clean your dog’s face on a regular basis to keep dirt and bacteria from irritating the skin on their nose.

This is especially true for dogs who have short noses and plenty of face wrinkles.

If your dog has long fur with matting around the eyes from normal discharge and hair build-up, you may notice them rubbing their face more often.

This behavior is usually due to irritation from the gunked up hair.

If you want to prevent them from rubbing their face on the ground, make sure it’s as clean as possible.

Crate Training Your Dog

Anxiety is a common trigger of destructive behaviors, whether it’s to themselves, their crate or their owners belongings, it’s certainly something that we want to avoid.

Dogs with separation anxiety will often panic when alone in their crate.

They will chew on the bars, rub their nose raw and even break their teeth trying to escape their kennel.

Kennel nose can be avoided if your dog is used to the idea of staying in their crate while you’re gone or even asleep.

Training them since puppyhood is a great way to avoid kennel and separation anxiety.

Remember, it’s very important that your pet knows that you will leave them alone sometimes.

Spending too much time with your young dog is great but causing them to be dependent on your presence will only create problems in the future with separation anxiety.

This will help your pet’s overall opinion of going to kennels and daycares as well.

The more we know about how our dogs think, behave and react, the better able we will be to provide care for them—even if it means understanding what may trigger separation anxiety before it starts!

Over-The-Counter Meds

It is extremely important that you speak with your veterinarian about your dog’s specific condition and only take the advice that they recommend for your pet.

However, Benadryl is a common over-the-counter antihistamine that many veterinarians recommend for minor itching and irritation associated with allergies.

Again, please speak to your dog’s vet before giving them Benadryl.

They will also have the appropriate dose that your dog will need.

How Long Does It Take For Kennel Nose To Heal?

The answer depends somewhat on the cause of the kennel nose to begin with.

When kennel nose is caused by allergies, they will need to be treated with a medication that stops the itch. That can be state-of-the-art drugs like Apoquel and Cytopoint or even over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl or Hydroxyzine.

Overall, as long as the reason for the kennel nose is addressed, it should resolve within two weeks of treatment.

If your dog’s kennel nose is due to separation anxiety and rubbing against their cage bars, you will have to work on the behavior itself and get your dog more comfortable with being home alone.

Sometimes that means purchasing a dog kennel that is geared towards canines with separation anxiety.

Does Kennel Nose Go Away?

Kennel nose can certainly go away, as long as the underlying cause of it has been addressed.

Kennel Nose FAQs:

Is it OK to put Vaseline on a dog’s nose?

You can apply vaseline to your dog’s nose, but they will most likely lick it off right away.

This can cause stomach upset and diarrhea and will also provide no benefit.

Can I put Neosporin on my dog’s nose?

You should consult with a veterinarian before putting any medicine on your dog’s nose.

However, Neosporin is much like the vaseline, meaning they will usually just lick it right off, only causing stomach upset and providing no medical benefit.

Can I put coconut oil on a dog’s nose?

Coconut oil would be better than applying Neosporin or vaseline to their nose. It is healthier for their skin and their stomachs if ingested.

However, applying anything to your dog’s nose will usually only annoy them and make them want to lick it off.

Can I put aloe vera gel on my dog’s nose?

Aloe vera can also cause stomach upset when ingested, even in small quantities.

Do not apply aloe to your dog’s nose.

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