Pawscessories is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Learn more.
If you’ve ever noticed your dog has a crusty, scabby patch around his mouth, you’re not alone. This is a common problem for dogs and can be caused by a variety of things. In this post, we’ll discuss the causes of this issue and some remedies you can try at home. We’ll also take a look at what treatments a veterinarian might prescribe if the problem persists.
Table of Contents
7 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog Has Crusty Scabs Around Their Mouth
1) Dehydration
Dehydration can cause the skin around your dog’s mouth to become dry and cracked. This can lead to scabbing and crusting.
If your dog isn’t drinking enough water each day, it can certainly lead to dry, cracked, and eventually scabs around their mouth. So you want to ensure they always have fresh, clean water available and that you’re feeding them high-quality food with adequate moisture.
Some dog foods contain more moisture than others. If you’re feeding your dog dry food, you might want to consider supplementing with canned food or adding water to their kibble.
2) Diet
The ingredients in your dog’s food can also play a role in the development of scabs around their mouth.
For example, if your dog is allergic to wheat or corn, they may develop scabs as a result of the inflammation caused by the allergy.
It’s important to feed your dog a high-quality, balanced diet to avoid any nutritional deficiencies that could contribute to scabbing.
If you’re unsure about the ingredients in your dog’s food and whether they’re negatively affecting your dog, speak with your veterinarian. They can recommend a dog food that’s right for your pup and their specific needs.
3) Infection
Bacterial or fungal infections can also cause scabs around your dog’s mouth.
If you notice your dog is licking their lips excessively or drooling more than usual, it could be a sign that they’re in pain and have an infection.
Other signs of an infection include bad breath, redness or swelling around the mouth and discharge from the eyes or nose.
If you think your dog might have an infection, it’s important to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Infections can lead to serious health problems if they’re not treated promptly.
4) Allergic Reaction
If your dog is allergic to something they’ve ingested, such as a food, medication, or plant, it can cause swelling and irritation of the lips, gums, and tongue. This can lead to crusting and scabbing.
It can also be an airborne allergen that’s affecting their skin, drying it out, and causing crusting and scabbing.
If you think your dog may have had an allergic reaction, it’s important to have a vet look at them as soon as you can. They can give your dog medication to help relieve the symptoms and determine what they’re allergic to.
5) Hormones
Hormonal imbalances can also cause the skin around your dog’s mouth to become dry and cracked. The conditions that are most common when it comes to hormonal imbalances are hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease.
Certain breeds are genetically predisposed to these conditions, but others can also develop them based on their lifestyle (diet and exercise).
If you think your dog’s scabs may be due to a hormone imbalance, it’s important to take them to the veterinarian for testing. They can determine if there’s a problem and prescribe medication to help correct it.
6) Lip Fold Dermatitis
Lip fold dermatitis is a skin condition that commonly affects dogs with wrinkly skin, such as Bulldogs and Pugs. It’s caused by the accumulation of moisture, bacteria, and yeast in the folds of skin around the mouth.
This can lead to irritation, redness, and eventually scabbing.
If your dog has skin folds around their mouth and you’re noticing scabs, it could be because their skin folds haven’t been cleaned enough lately. Breeds with wrinkly skin require more maintenance to avoid infection or wounds from developing in their skin folds.
7) Acne
Just like humans, dogs can get acne. It’s most common in puppies and young adult dogs but can occur at any age. Acne is caused by the blockage of hair follicles and is usually seen on the chin or lower jaw.
Acne can be painful and cause your dog to develop scabs if their acne is scratched off. If you think your dog has acne, it’s a good idea to take them to see a vet and get their recommendations on how to clear up your pup’s acne.
How Do I Help My Dog’s Mouth Heal & Get Rid Of Their Crusty Scabs?
Once you’ve determined the cause of your dog’s mouth scabs, you can start to treat them at home or with the help of a veterinarian.
Here are some general tips to help heal your dog’s mouth and get rid of their crusty scabs:
- Avoid giving your dog table scraps. Table scraps can contain fatty foods that irritate your dog’s skin and, if enough inflammation occurs, eventually cause scabs.
- Keep your dog’s stress levels low. Stress can cause a number of health problems, including skin problems. So try to keep your dog’s environment calm and relaxed.
- Take your dog to the veterinarian for regular check-ups. This will help you catch any health problems early on and get the treatment your dog needs.
Treating scabs around your dog’s mouth takes time and won’t heal overnight. But once you understand why they’re there (which is why it’s best to speak with a vet), you can make changes to help their mouth recover.
Home Remedies For Crusty Scabs
1) Regular Face Grooming
If your dog’s scabs are caused by lip fold dermatitis, regular cleaning and grooming of their face can help prevent the buildup of moisture, bacteria, and yeast that leads to scabs.
To do this, you’ll need to gently clean your dog’s face with a warm, wet cloth. Be careful not to scrub too hard as this can irritate their skin. After cleaning, dry their face off completely.
Repeat this process every day until you see an improvement in your dog’s scabs.
2) Diet Change
If your dog’s scabs are caused by allergies or acne, one of the best things you can do is change their diet. This means finding a food that doesn’t contain the ingredients your dog is allergic to or switching to a hypoallergenic diet.
For dogs with acne, switching to a grain-free diet can also be helpful. This is because grains can contribute to skin inflammation, which can worsen acne.
If you’re not sure what kind of diet to switch your dog to, talk to your veterinarian. They can help you find the right food for your dog based on their individual needs.
3) Help Them Drink More Water
Dehydration can cause a number of health problems, including dry skin, which can lead to scabs. To help prevent dehydration and keep your dog’s skin healthy, ensure they drink plenty of water.
The best way to do this is to give them fresh, clean water each day. You can also add a little chicken broth or low-sodium beef broth to their water to make it more appealing.
Something else you can do is add water or bone broth to their dry dog food to give it added moisture content.
4) Things You Can Use On Their Skin
You can use a few things on your dog’s skin to help soothe irritation and speed up the healing process.
Coconut oil, honey, and vitamin E cream/oil are natural anti-inflammatories and can help soothe irritated skin.
You can also make a compress with warm water and apple cider vinegar. The vinegar can help to kill bacteria and yeast on the skin.
Make sure you dilute the vinegar with water before applying it to your dog’s skin.
Tea tree oil is another natural antibacterial and can be diluted with water to create a compress.
Do not use essential oils on your dog without first speaking to your veterinarian. Some essential oils can be toxic to dogs if misused.
When using any new product on your dog’s skin, it’s always best to do a patch test first. This means applying a small amount of the product to an area of their skin to make sure they don’t have a reaction.
If you notice any redness, swelling, or other irritation after applying the product, wash it off immediately and do not use it again. Or, simply schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get their approval for certain creams, oils, and ointments.
Other Ways To Help Get Rid Of Crusty Scabs Around Your Dog’s Mouth
1) Get a Vet Recommendation
At the end of the day, the best thing you can do whenever you have any concerns or questions about your dog’s health is to speak with a vet. In the case of scabbing around the mouth, they’ll be able to ask you questions to get a better idea of what’s causing the scabbing and give you some solutions to help heal your dog’s mouth.
The most important thing when it comes to healing their sore mouth is to know the reasoning behind it. Once you know this, coming up with a proper treatment to heal their scabs is much easier.
If allergies cause your dog’s scabs, your vet may recommend a medicated shampoo to help control the itching and irritation.
Your vet may also recommend a special diet or supplements to help control allergies.
If your dog’s scabs are caused by a bacterial or yeast infection, your vet may prescribe an antifungal or antibacterial shampoo.
2) Medicated Products
Medicated products containing ingredients like hydrocortisone or lidocaine can help to soothe the itch and discomfort, making it less likely that your dog will bother their scabs.
You can find medicated wipes, gels, and sprays at your local pet store or online.
Make sure you always read the label before using any new product on your dog. Some ingredients may not be safe for all dogs, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
Additionally, never use human products on your dog without first consulting with your veterinarian.
In general, you should talk to your veterinarian before using any medicated products on your dog, as some products may not be appropriate for all dogs. In addition, it’s crucial to ensure that your dog is not allergic to any of the ingredients in the product.
3) Water Retention Products
There are several products on the market that can help with water retention.
E45 and Sudocrem ointments, for example, moisturize the skin by forming a protective layer over dry skin while retaining moisture.
Zinc and vitamin E are also present in various water retention treatments. These two substances are both beneficial to a dog’s skin.
Final Thoughts
If your dog has crusty scabs around their mouth, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any serious health issues. Once you know what’s causing the scabs, you can then take steps to treat them at home.
There are a number of medicated and non-medicated options available to help heal your dog’s scabs. The most important thing is to be patient and consistent with the treatment you choose. With time and care, your dog’s scabs will eventually heal.
Other posts you might find interesting:
My Dog Has a Sore Bum What Can I Put On It? (Explained!)
Dog Diarrhea At Night: Why It Happens & What To Do
Ingrown Dog Whisker: Causes, Treatment, & Prevention (Vet Answers)