What oils are good for dog skin allergies
Natural Oils for Dogs That Can Help With Dog Skin Conditions
Image via iStock.com/CBCK-Christine
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.
Top 5 Essential Oils To Soothe Your Dogs Skin
Essential oils can be safe for your dogs skin as a natural home remedy for wounds or to soothe your dogs irritated skin.
Its going to happen at some point. Your dog could be running around outside and comes in and you notice blood.
Or maybe you have a dog thats prone to itchy, red, hotspots.
These are all frustrating problems, and many times the conventional drugs only treat the symptom and not the actual cause of the problem.
But you can use natural remedies, like essential oils, to help resolve these problems to keep vet visits down and reduce the risk of side effects from occurring.
Having a first aid kit at home for when things like this happen is important.
In this short video, Im going to cover what my top 5 essential oils are to have in your first aid kit and how to safely use them with your pets.
When should you take your pet to the vet:
Now heres my disclaimer.
If youre ever questioning whether you need to go to the ER, just do it.
Its always better to be safe than sorry.
But heres when you must take your pet to the vet:
- Any injury that fully penetrates the skin (like a bite wound or those dang paw pad lacerations that happen on lawn edging)
- Any injury where the skin around the wound is red and puffy or involves a large portion of the body
How to Safely Use Essential Oils in Your Pets
Essential oils are naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds that come from the seeds, bark, stems, flowers and roots of plants.
They are very concentrated, which is why more is not better when using essential oils.
Did you know it takes approximately 8000 rose flowers to produce one 5ml bottle of rose oil?
Because essential oils are very concentrated, this is one of the many reasons why pets can get sick if essential oils are used inappropriately.
Learn more about how to use essential oils safely in your pets.
Top 5 Essentials Oils Safe For Dogs Skin
Here are my top 5 essential oils that you need to have in your first aid kit for dogs:
This is one of my favorite oils, because it can literally be used in every condition.
It can help with blood clotting since it acts as an anti-coagulant but also helpful when theres bruising.
By helping wounds heal faster and acting as a topical anesthetic, this essential oil is very powerful.
When youre needing a natural pain remedy, like if you pet hurts itself or cuts themselves, helichrysum is often adequate used alone, but when used with copaiba and myrrh, their synergism together increases the effectiveness.
Another great way to use this oil is if you have a dog or cat that was recently in a trauma like a hit by car and has lung contusions. You can diffuse this oil in an open room, and it will help their lungs heal.
Although this can be an expensive essential oil, the power that can come from a small amount of this oil is extraordinary.
It has a very high vibrational energy and is most likely the highest anti-viral substance available. So if you have a kitty that is battling chronic herpes/upper respiratory infections or a dog with kennel cough, you need this oil.
You may also know this oil as Lemon Balm. It can be used for a lot of conditions ranging from depression to anxiety to seizures to use for hives, as a replacement for anti-histamines.
And its super safe for both dogs and cats.
Now if you were to pick one oil to have in your dogs first aid kit, Frankincense should be there.
Frankincense is one of the most important and well used oils in the animal world.
Its incredibly safe, well tolerated, versatile and effective.
This powerful essential oil is considered a life force oil and is used extensively in critical cases.
If you have puppies and kittens, this is an oil that you should start using in their lives right now.
But heres the really neat thing with Frankincense, it also appears to magnify and enhance the effects of the other essential oils when used together.
This oil is incredibly safe, and can be used in dogs and cats neat, diluted, orally or diffused.
There are different species of frankincense that will affect the pets in different ways. The more common form is Frankincense carteri but other forms can be used for deeper spiritual healing if needed.
Next is copaiba which is another must-have.
It barely has any scent or flavor, which is really helpful if your trying to treat a finicky cat or a dog with a poor appetite.
Copaiba is one of the best anti-inflammatory oils, and my own patients have seen drastic improvements to their pain levels and have even replaced their NSAID pain drugs.
The part that I really like about using essential oils is that it doesnt have to be one or the other. You can use these alongside the conventional drugs. And many times, you can get your pet off of the drug.
This incredible oil also magnifies the effects of the other oils that its used with.
Heres a great pain relieving essential oil recipe that I recommend and is safe for your pets:
- 5 drops myrrh
- 5 drops helichrysum
- 5 drops copaiba
- Combined with 2 mls of carrier oil
You can apply this mixture directly to inflammation (like a bruise) or next to an incision site to aid healing and reduce the pain.
And finally, the incredible lavender oil.
This essential oil is one of the most adulterated and synthetically created essential oils on the market today, which is why many ask is lavender essential oil safe for dogs.
Unfortunately, very few brands are medical grade and would not be safe to use in animals due to the chemicals and adulterants that are used. This is why I stick with a few brands since I know, trust and love them for my pet patients, like Rocky Mountain Oils, AnimalEO, Plant Therapy, and Young Living.
To learn more about essential oils and their safety for dogs and cats, click here.
When used appropriately, lavender is incredibly mild and can be used extensively for its antibacterial properties to reduce infection in wounds or for skin infections.
Lavender oil can be one of the best natural remedies for a dog hotspot home treatment to naturally soothe inflamed skin and avoid antibiotics.
Natural Home Remedy Treatments To Soothe Dogs Skin
If youre wondering whats the easiest way to start, I really like the blends from Young Living for wound care.
Animal Scents Ointment is a must-have in your first aid kit.
By combining the essential oils of Palmarosa, Geranium, Patchouli, Idaho Balsam Fir, Melaleuca, Myrrh and rosewood makes it a very powerful and healing blend.
You can also mix additional oils into this ointment for whatever purpose youre using it form. 1 drop or more or the additional essential oil per tablespoon of ointment can be added and mixed in.
Fractionated coconut oil can also be used when you want to dilute further and apply to larger areas on your dogs red, allergy skin or as a home remedy for wounds on dogs.
This is an awesome ointment to use if you have dogs that get those irritating fly bites to their ears in summertime.
You can use the blend Young Living Purification mixed in and apply to the outer flaps of the ears to repel biting insects and also heal any scabs or wounds at the same time.
This ointment can also be applied directly to wounds to help them heal faster. This is like the bag balm ointment thats used by many people.
Another amazing pre-made essential oil blend that is safe for dogs skin is ClaraDerm from Young Living.
ClaraDerm is a soothing spray containing coconut oil, myrrh, tea tree, lavender, frankincense, roman chamomile and helichrysum.
Its an amazing formula to help treat yeast infections, especially with vulvar infections (so conditions like vaginitis), around irritated anal glands, on itchy paw pads and anywhere else there are secondary skin irritations and infections.
If an areas needs to be dry, this formula is not recommended because of the coconut oil (for example with hot spots).
But if your dog has dry and itchy skin, then this a great pre-made formula to use on the skin twice a day.
Lavaderm is another product that Ive personally used on myself whenever Ive gotten a burn from cooking oils or sunburn, and wow its incredible.
Acting as a cooling mist, it combines the healing benefits of lavender, helichrysum, and aloe vera into an amazing spray.
This blend works because it calms irritated skin and promotes tissue regeneration.
It is also great for use on burns or minor irritations and wounds.
How to Use Natural Remedies to Clean Your Dogs Skin
And finally, you need something to clean the area or wounds first before applying these incredible essential oils. I love the Young Living Thieves blend, specifically Thieves cleaner.
Thieves cleaner can be diluted and used to wash any wounds.
If you prefer to use just a gentle cleaner, then using dilute castile soap is a great, safe option.
After cleaning the wound or irritated skin, then apply a wound healing ointment like Animal Scents ointment.
You can also use 5 drops of lavender and 5 drops of helichrysum in a 1 tablespoon of manuka honey for a good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory wound ointment.
In conclusion, essential oils are a very powerful healing tool when used appropriately.
Do not just go to the store and buy whatever essential oils are sitting there.
You need to make sure that the oils are not adulterated or synthetic and youre using the right dosages.
More is not better with essential oils.
This is why we see so many cases that essential oils are toxic.
Essential oils are not toxic they were used inappropriately which led to the problem.
With any of the above suggestions, I always recommend working with someone that can help guide you and always test a small area first to make sure your pet tolerates it or diffuse the essential oils in a water diffuser in an open room.
Essential oil brands for your pets we love and trust include:
Remember, you have the power to help your pet live a long and vibrant life being here is the first step and I commend you for taking time to learn more to better your pets lives.
Together we can make the change thats needed to help your fur family thrive naturally.
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*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Dr. Katie Woodley cannot answer specific questions about your pets medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Links in the description are typically affiliate links that let you help support the channel at no extra cost.
