No toxic chemicals, add fragrances, or petroleum derived ingredients that can damage the balance of our pets' bodies. Olive oil soap nourishes the skin and leaves the natural oily coating on fur all while cleaning the trouble they've gotten into!
For this reason, coconut oil is among the best oils for canine skin, which is why so many products for pups use it as a key ingredient. Many natural beauty products now contain coconut oil because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
“It provides many benefits for dogs,” says Dr. Colleen Smith, DVM, CVA, CVCP of the Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute. Coconut oil can aid dogs with everything from itchy or bumpy skin to digestion issues.
Coconut oil is soothing for dry, itchy skin. Your dog may benefit from a bath with coconut oil if he has skin allergies, has had parasites such as mites or even fleas or ticks, or is dealing with seasonal dry, flaky skin. Bathing your dog with coconut oil is a great soothing way to give your dog a soap-free bath.
Unlike olive oil, coconut oil doesn't contain a high amount of omega fatty acids. While it does have some, it isn't enough for your dog to access as many of the benefits as other oils can. Coconut oil also isn't as easily digested and processed, which may render the few fatty acids that get through less helpful.
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.
There are many more oils that have been used with dogs for their potential health and wellness benefits, including essential oils distilled from fennel, spearmint, myrrh, neem, helichrysum.
You can apply olive oil on your dog's itchy or dry skin for fast relief since it can penetrate deeply and moisturize. You can add 5 to 10 drops of olive oil in a cup of water and apply the mixture to your dog's skin or use an olive oil-based conditioning spray.
1 quart of water. 1 cup of baby shampoo or nontoxic dish soap. 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar. 1/3 cup of glycerin.
Coconut oil: Extra-virgin coconut oil has become a popular choice for humans because it's a healthier alternative to more processed saturated and trans fats, and the same applies to dogs. Coconut oil has also been shown to help dogs lose weight, give them more energy, and offer relief to dry skin.
Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to dogs. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.
Coconut oil wrap is very beneficial for dogs with dry, irritated, and/or flaky skin. Wash your dog with your favourite shampoo, rinse, and towel dry. Then apply coconut oil to the dog's hair and skin and slowly massage it in, covering every part.
To use coconut oil topically, apply it to the skin about once a week, and let it be absorbed for a few minutes. After five minutes or so, rinse your dog off. If he still feels excessively greasy or oily, you can follow up with a light shampoo and rinse. Alternatively, use a shampoo made with organic coconut oil.
Coconut Oil Alternatives
If your dog has a bad reaction to coconut oil or you'd rather not take the risk, salmon oil is a great alternative. It provides many of the same benefits as coconut oil and is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Other healthy alternatives include hemp oil, flaxseed oil, and olive oil.
No, you shouldn't slather Fluffy with your favorite moisturizer. Pets tend to lick off whatever is applied to their coat and some human skin lotions contain chemicals that shouldn't be swallowed. Ingestion of moisturizers may cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in pets.
QV wash, and bath oil can be soothing for dogs ( available from pharmacies). The bath oil can be made up in a spray bottle and applied to your dogs skin. Be careful where you do this as it can make the ground very slippery.
Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.
As we mentioned earlier, coconut oil is pure fat, and the oil actually has a high amount of saturated fat. Using too much of it can cause health issues for your pet.
Using olive oil is also can also be effective as a moisturizer, by applying it directly to your pet's skin. It is recommended to add five to ten drops of oil to one cup of water, before using your hands to massage the mixture into your pet's fur. Try this daily until the dog's fur looks the way it needs to.