We are all aware by this point that coconut oil for dogs can help with digestion and can also enhance the condition of their coat. However, did you know that coconut oil also provides relief for a dog’s itchy skin?
You’ll have all the information necessary to assist your furry friend in finding relief in a matter of minutes.
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: Dogs with pruritus, or itchy skin, account for about 40% of visits to the veterinarian for skin issues. The constant scratching can cause general discomfort, skin lesions, infections, and hair loss, as well as disrupt sleep (for both the pet and pet parent!).
Knowing the typical causes of pruritus will help you determine why your dog is itchy.
Allergies in dogs, whether brought on by fleas, the environment, or food, are one of the most frequent causes of itching.
Flea bites cause skin irritation, which is especially bothersome for dogs with flea allergies. Fortunately, the source of the itching should go away once you treat your flea problem (both inside your home and on your pet).
In this situation, allergens can be ingested or absorbed through the skin (for instance, through exposure to grass), which can lead to atopy. Some canines with atopy will need to take medication or receive special care to manage their allergy.
Comparatively speaking to these other allergy types, food allergies are much less likely to result in skin itchiness or irritation. This type of allergy is typically caused by a hypersensitivity to a protein that the body interprets as a threat. To understand your pet’s past and determine the source of the food allergy, you must speak with your veterinarian. After that, switching a dog to a different food without their allergen is the best course of action to resolve any problems that were brought on.
Like humans, dogs can be bitten by a variety of insects, causing their skin to become irritated and itchy. Of course, dogs are most frequently bitten by external parasites like mites or fleas. Hot spots, also known as moist dermatitis, and bacterial infections can both cause itching and spread rapidly. Of course, we advise speaking with your veterinarian about any new or unusual sores before considering natural treatment options.
Given that coconut oil is completely safe for dogs, using it to treat your dog’s itchy skin is a convenient and affordable option. This is why.
Lauric acid, a medium-length long-chain fatty acid (also referred to as a lipid) found in coconut oil, has antimicrobial properties. It helps fight bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and other pathogens. This is excellent for treating the wounds and problems that are initially causing your dog’s itchy skin.
While your veterinarian may advise a course of oral medication, coconut oil also provides the advantage of topical comfort. In fact, by repairing damaged skin and lowering allergens, its anti-inflammatory properties have been known to help provide topical relief for hot spots, insect bites, and itchy skin.
As we mentioned in our post introducing Skinny Paw, our coconut oil pet shampoo is made from just one component, saponified coconut oil, which is combined with the best essential oils currently on the market to create the healthiest and safest pet wash available. Pets require a lower pH soap to prevent the pH balance of their skin from being upset because the pH of your pet’s skin is lower than that of human skin. Since Skinny Paw uses physically refined coconut oil and most soaps have a pH of 8 or 9, it is significantly more pet-friendly than most soaps on the market.
Given that quality, it makes sense that using Skinny Paw as your go-to pet shampoo can help prevent scratchy dog skin and can also benefit dogs who are already pruritic.
Isn’t it time you made your first purchase and modified the way you take care of the rashes on your dog’s skin?
Using coconut oil for a dog’s itchy skin — one success story
As a result of her hound ancestry, Maizy is what I like to refer to as a serial sniffer. Every spring, she analyzes the dog parks by tracing the scents of squirrels, rabbits, other dogs, and who knows what else. She frequently becomes engrossed in this activity to the point where she hardly responds to her own name.
One day, Maizy’s research brought her directly into a thicket of overgrown weeds and wildflowers, which caused an angry-looking rash along her neck and ears. Her skin became excessively dry and, I assume, excessively itchy after taking the medication prescribed to treat it. Because she scratched, and scratched, and scratched. After trying numerous medicated ointments and shampoos in vain and suffering through several sleepless weeks, we finally saw a holistic veterinarian.
I was surprised by his advice to apply coconut oil to a dog’s itchy skin. Treat this issue from the inside out, he said. To lessen the yeast on Maizy’s skin, that meant cutting back on the carbs and grains she ate. Additionally, it meant providing her with a serving of pure, virgin coconut oil daily and applying some to her skin and fur. We tried this for a few weeks, and WOW. Maizy not only stopped smelling like a bag of Fritos, but her skin also cleared up and her coat looked glossier than ever. Grant, our other rescue dog, naturally wanted to participate as soon as he smelled the coconut oil. So now they both regularly enjoy the delicious advantages of coconut oil.
Why coconut oil for dogs? And why coconut oil for a dog’s itchy skin?
What are the advantages of coconut oil for dogs and how can it treat a dog’s itchy skin, asks integrative pet care specialist Dr. Natural virgin coconut oil, according to Karen Becker, has antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiprotozoal qualities. In addition to being extremely healing for irritated skin, hot spots, abrasions, and cracked paws, this means that it can reduce yeast and fungus on contact, both inside and out. The “virgin” variety usually begins with fresh coconut meat, so chemical processes like bleaching or filtering are avoided. As a result, it is safe for humans, dogs, and cats to consume in moderation.
My vet cited Dr. According to Becker’s work, lauric acid, a type of medium-chain fatty acid, is abundant in coconut oil. This substance is typically found in mother mammals’ milk, and one of its main purposes is to strengthen the immune system. Because of this, coconut oil works so well to treat bacterial and viral infections. Like pumpkin, it can also soothe digestion and upset stomachs. And as the veterinarian predicted, it has given both of my dogs incredibly soft fur.
Symptoms of Coconut Oil for Allergies in Dogs
There are numerous signs of particular illnesses that coconut oil can help with. Symptoms may include:
Types
Over 90% of the fats in coconut oil are saturated. Types of saturated fats that coconut oil contains include:
FAQ
How do I use coconut oil for my dogs itching?
Coconut oil can moisturize the skin on your dog and stop flaking. If applied lightly, it also aids in reviving a dog’s coat. Simply apply a very small amount to your hands, pat the coat gently, run your fingers through the fur, and massage some down onto the skin to use it topically.
How much coconut oil should I give my dog for itchy skin?
Giving small dogs 1/4 teaspoon daily or large dogs 1 tablespoon (15 mL) daily is a good place to start. After two weeks, if your dog is still tolerating it well, up the dosage to 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds (5 mL per 4). 5 kg) of body weight.
What stops itching fast for dogs?
Calendula, Chamomile, and Green Tea Soaks Calendula, chamomile, and green tea all have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that make them excellent additions to a dog bath for itchy skin. For dogs with hot, itchy patches of skin that could be rubbed raw, these soaks work best.