Hyperkeratosis - How normal is it really?

Many veterinarians will tell you, “It’s all perfectly normal”….

Hyperkeratosis in dogs is a condition where the body produces too much keratin, causing thick, dry, hardened skin. It’s often seen on the nose or paw pads, where it may look like crusty layers, rough patches, or hardened growths. While it may be brushed off as “normal,” hyperkeratosis can become uncomfortable or painful over time, especially if the skin starts to crack.

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, hyperkeratosis and ichthyosis are often viewed as signs of Blood Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, Body Fluid Deficiency, or Spleen Qi Deficiency. From this perspective, the body is not nourishing or moistening the skin effectively, so the skin becomes dry, brittle, and prone to crusting.