Soothing dog’s chapped lips

Dear Paw’s Corner: One of my healthy, spayed, vet-checked, 4-year-old female German shepherds, “Sassy,” always has areas of her lips that are chapped/dry. One suggestion I had was to add a tablespoon of canola oil over her dry dog food. However, my other dog tends to eat out of both food bowls! Any other suggestion from you or other owners whose dogs suffer from dry/chapped lips? — Ann in Pegram, Tenn.

Dear Ann: If you’re concerned about your other shepherd eating her companion’s canola oil, then consider directly applying an oil or balm to Sassy’s lips. Olive oil may be a better choice than canola.

Growing up, my mother used to swear by Vitamin E oil for chapped lips and minor scrapes on both the kids and pets. She would buy a bottle of the gel capsules and break one or two open to apply the oil.

Aloe vera can be used to soothe and heal chapped lips. I’d recommend using the plant itself, rather than buying a bottle of processed aloe vera gel. Aloe leaves can be purchased at some supermarkets now, or the entire plant can be found at nurseries. To use, slice off one leaf, carefully slice it open, and rub the inside of the leaf against the affected area. Follow with an oil or balm to keep the lips protected.

And of course, I do recommend asking the vet at Sassy’s next visit about this issue. As she is young and healthy, there probably isn’t an underlying cause, but making the vet aware and monitoring her for any changes — more chapping, coat quality changes, behavior issues and so on — is a good idea. The vet may also recommend some additional solution to Sassy’s chapped lips, or prescribe medication to treat it.