Can I rub olive oil on my dog

Using Olive Oil for Dry Skin on Dogs: Multiple Ways & Safe Practices

Does your dog have dry skin? Do you want to make his skin shine a bit more and also get rid of the itching? There are a few remedies you can try, but not many of them are as affordable as using olive oil.

Using olive oil to treat dry skin on dogs is a straightforward process that will deliver results in two to three weeks. However, the remedy may not yield results if the dry skin is a symptom of any underlying conditions. The olive oil can be used as a topical treatment or added to the dogs diet.

In this article, well take a closer look at how you can use this remedy to get your dogs skin looking healthy again. Youll also find information on side effects, dosages, and more.

What Are the Causes of Dry Skin in Dogs?

Dry skin in dogs is fairly common in dogs, especially in wintery conditions, when theres very little atmospheric humidity. However, low humidity is just one example of possible causes of dry skin in dogs.

Before you set out to find a remedy that can fix your dogs dry skin, you need first to figure out possible causes. To do this, youll most likely need a trip to the vet. If the dog shows other signs of sickness, its often easy for you to know that something is wrong.

In many cases, however, you wont see any visible signs of underlying conditions, and there are quite a few of them that can cause dry skin in dogs.

Vets typically take samples of the dogs skin for a proper diagnosis. Some of the most common diagnoses they make include hormonal changes, sensitivity to certain grooming products, ringworm, flea infestation, food or seasonal allergies, and a wide range of other skin infections.

With examination from a vet, you can rule out medical conditions and then look for the most effective remedies to tackle the problem. There are a few of them, but were focusing on olive oil here.

Why Does Olive Oil Work as a Reliever for Dry Skin in Dogs?

Olive oil is filled with nutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin K and a high number of antioxidants. It also has humectant properties, which ensures the skin can better retain moisture. The interaction between these nutrients and a long list of compounds helps olive oil to fight dry skin in dogs.

Some people have reported seeing the positive effects of using olive oil on their dogs skin within a couple of weeks in cases where the dryness wasnt a medical problem.

How to Use Olive Oil as a Remedy for Dry Skin in Dogs

You can use olive oil as a remedy for your dogs dry skin in two ways: applying it topically and adding it in the dogs diet.

Topically

Olive oil is safe to use on your dogs skin. If you want fast relief from the dry skin, apply it directly to the skin, and it will penetrate the surface and encourage better moisture retention. To use this approach, you should add around ten drops of oil to one cup of water, then massage the mixture into the parts of the skin that look dry using your hands.

Once youve finished the session, wipe off the excess oil using a paper towel. You can use this method once a day until your dogs skin is looking healthy and properly moisturized.

In Food/Direct Feeding

Adding olive oil to your dogs food can also help to reduce dryness. The omega-three fatty acids can go a long way in improving the look and feel of the dogs skin. When skin cells are lacking moisture, they tend to shrink and shrivel. This results in the layers peeling off like skin flakes, or as dandruff.

This is not the case with well-hydrated skin cells. These stick together, creating a healthy-looking skin. By adding some olive oil to your dogs food, you are nourishing the epidermal cells at the foundation. As the new cells mature and travel to the surface, the result is the fresh-looking, radiant skin.

To feed the dog some olive oil, you can mix olive oil in its food or water. If you can get the dog to take the olive oil directly, go for it.

The right dosage when adding olive oil to your dogs food is one tablespoon for every 20 lbs (10 kg) twice a day. So a dog weighing 80 lbs (40 kg) should have four tablespoons of olive oil added to its diet.

Remember to always consult your veterinarian when trying new things in your dogs diet or for any ailments you seek treatment for.

Other Benefits of Adding Olive Oil to Your Dogs Diet

While the goal is to deal with dry skin problems, adding olive oil to your dogs diet can also provide other benefits:

• It contains monounsaturated fats and oleic acid. These can help fight cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
• It is rich in antioxidants. The carotenoids, chlorophyll, polyphenols, vitamin E, and other antioxidants are great for boosting the dogs immune system, making it less susceptible to communicable and seasonal diseases.
• It can fight free radical cell oxidation. This can help fight premature aging.
• It can fight cognitive decline. Some of the compounds weve mentioned above can help keep the brain cells fresh, which is important in aging dogs.
• It can improve energy levels. Adding some olive oil to your dogs food can improve blood circulation and breathing, thus lessening the effects of asthma and making your dog a lot more energetic. This is especially true for breeds such as bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds like pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apso, etc.

What Type of Olive Oil Should You Use?

Any type of olive oil will do if you are only using the first approach and massaging the oil into the dogs skin. If you are adding the oil to the dogs food, however, you should use extra virgin olive oil exclusively.

Apart from the fact that the oil is high quality (from the first press of the olive), the acid content is also lower. This gives it a fresher taste and reduces the chances of your dog rejecting it.

If you buy virgin olive oil, you need to store it in a dark-colored bottle away from the high heat. This will ensure it doesnt go rancid quickly.

Downsides to Using Olive Oil to Treat Dry Skin in Dogs

There are a few warnings you need to keep in mind using olive oil to treat dry skin in dogs.

Direct Feeding

Although there are no proven risks associated with feeding olive oil to your dog, it is not uncommon for the dog to develop stomach upset at first, if it has sensitive intestinal tracts. You should tone things down if you notice any signs of stomach upset in your dog.

Instead of adding the oil twice a day, make it once a day for a while and watch the reactions. If the discomfort comes with diarrhea or vomiting, remove the olive oil from the diet completely.

Another possible problem with adding olive oil to your dogs food as treatment for dry skin is that it has a sizable calorie and fat content. One tablespoon contains around 30 g (0.11 oz) of fat and around 120 calories. The fat in olive oil is the healthy kind, but it can trigger problems in dogs that are at risk of developing pancreatitis.

The calories can also lead to weight gain, so you should definitely weigh your options if you are trying to keep your dogs weight down.

Another potential issue you should be aware of is that oils can absorb vitamins that are fat-soluble, leading to deficiencies. So, you should ensure your dog gets a higher serving of foods rich in vitamins E, D, and A when adding olive oil to its food or water.

Topical Application

If you choose to only rub the olive oil directly onto your dogs skin and avoid the possible health complications, you still need to be wary of a few things. First, there is a chance that the dog will proceed to lick off the area you have just massaged.

If the dog continues licking the area, it could lead to aggravating the dry skin. This can be prevented by cleaning off any excess oils properly and avoiding dripping. Cleaning off the excess oils and preventing dripping is also a good way to ensure your carpet or furniture doesnt get ruined.

Another possible issue with topical applications is that olive oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can make sores or wounds take longer to heal. You should, therefore, only apply olive oil to parts of the skin without open wounds.

Conclusion

Olive oil works as a treatment for dry skin in dogs when the dryness is not a symptom of any underlying conditions. Applying the oil topically or adding it to the food can lead to significant improvements in 2-3 weeks.

However, there are a few precautions you need to take to ensure that the remedy doesnt lead to bigger problems for your furry friend. This is especially true when you are adding the oil to its diet. If you are unsure about the best approach to take, please talk to your vet first.

Sources:

https://www.vetinfo.com/treating-dogs-dry-skin-with-olive-oil.htmlhttps://wagwalking.com/wellness/could-olive-oil-help-your-dogs-dry-flaky-skin

Natural Oils for Dogs That Can Help With Dog Skin Conditions

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By Deidre Grieves

Humans use a variety of natural oils to help with issues ranging from preventing heart disease to softening the skin. Certain oils can be beneficial for our four-legged friends, tooespecially for dog skin conditions.

Skin conditions in pets can be caused by any number of issues, says Dr. Katy Nelson, veterinarian at the BelleHaven Animal Medical Centre in Washington, DC, and host of "The Pet Show With Dr. Katy." These include allergies, external parasites, endocrine diseases (such as hypothyroidism), poor nutrition, bacterial, yeast or fungal infections, or even cancer.

If youd like to use a natural oil or oil supplement for your dogs skin condition, its important to consult a veterinarian to identify the type of oil-based treatment that will work best for your dogs particular problem.

There are many causes of skin conditions in dogs, and they often manifest in similar ways, says Dr. Janet Roark, owner of Hill Country Mobile Veterinary Service in Austin, Texas. So skin conditions should be evaluated by a veterinarian for a diagnosis.

Fish Oil for Dogs Provides Omega-3

If youre looking for safe oils for dogs that can be given orally instead of topically, fish oils are a good option and have a variety of benefits. High-quality fish oils contain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) that are beneficial to skin health, says Dr. Angie Krause, a holistic veterinarian based in Boulder, Colorado.

Fish oils, as well as krill and squid oil, contain omega-3 fatty acids [DHA and EPA are both omega-3 fatty acids], adds Dr. Nelson, which can assist dogs with a variety of ailments due to their anti-inflammatory properties. These are found highly concentrated in cold water fishes, she says, and when used as a nutritional supplement, can have beneficial effects to the skin, joints, eyes, heart and gastrointestinal system. Omega-3 fatty acids also help maintain the barrier properties of the skin and prevent excessive water loss and drying.

If you are looking for a fish oil supplement for dogs, Dr. Roark suggests wild-caught salmon oil because its high in essential fatty acids (EFAs) [including omega-3 fatty acids]. There have been some studies showing the efficacy of EFA for early stages of atopic dermatitis, among other types of skin conditions, she says.

American Journey wild Alaskan salmon oil and Zesty Paws wild omega-3 fish oil plus Antarctic krill oil dog supplement are both dog supplementsthat are easy to add to your pups regular dog food. Talk to your veterinarian about recommended dosages if you plan on supplementing your dogs food with fish oil.

Plant-Based Oils With Omega-3

There are plant-based oils that are safe for dogs that provide omega-3 and offer a variety of benefits.

Canola, walnut and olive oils also contain omega-3s and can be used as a supplement under the guidance of a veterinary professional, says Dr. Nelson. However, the omega-3s found in plant-based oils are in the form of alpha-linoleic acid (ALA). Dogs lack the enzyme necessary to convert ALA into a form that their bodies can utilize efficiently. Therefore, plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids are less effective in dogs in comparison to fish oil.

While fish oil may be more beneficial when supplementing your dogs diet, some plant-based products work well to soothe dog skin conditions when applied topically.

Dr. Krause explains that coconut oil is also a good option for keeping your dogs skin and coat in good shape. Topical application can be moisturizing and protective, she says. It also has some antifungal properties.

Look for dog-friendly coconut oil such as Zesty Paws organic extra virgin coconut oil or Petpost coconut oil for dogs, which can both be used topically or given in moderation with food.

Talk to Your Vet Before Using Essential Oils for Dogs

While there are essential oils that can benefit dog skin conditions, many veterinary experts stress the importance of working directly with a medical professional or looking for products that are already formulated specifically for dogs.

Studies have shown that the topical application of neem oil can help treat atopic dermatitis in dogs, and that dog-safe creams made with 10 percent tea-tree oil can improve pruritic dermatitis in dogs. Neem oil and tea tree oil are often found in dog shampoossuch as Ark Naturals neem "protect" dog and cat shampoo and in skin sprays for dogs, such as Richards Organics incredible skin spray for dogs.

Pet parents should be cautious, and never purchase essential oils from grocery stores or health food stores, says Dr. Roark, who uses diluted essential oils regularly in her practice.

Dr. Roark explains that when diluted or diffused, essential oils like lavender oil and cedarwood oil can promote healthy skin in dogs and also help to relieve anxiety. And Dr. Krause agrees that some diluted essential oils can be beneficial in certain circumstances. Topical use of some diluted essential oils may be very beneficial to prevent yeast and bacterial growth, she says.

But overall, pet parents should be extra careful if considering essential oils to treat dog skin conditions. When applied topically, these oils absorb quickly and can have powerful effects. If placed in an area where pets can lick them off, they can suffer problems such as oral irritation or gastrointestinal distress, says Dr. Nelson.

When applying oils topically, its important to take precautions, says Dr. Krause. She warns that pet parents should be extra careful if using tea tree oil, as it can be toxic to dogs if not properly diluted or administered.

Dr. Krause adds, Anything you apply to your pup will eventually be ingested unless you use an e-collar or something similar. Caution must be used to avoid excessive ingestion.

Dr. Nelson concludes, My best piece of advice when looking into using essential oils is to work closely with a holistic veterinarian who can knowledgeably guide you in the process.