Treating Dogs' Dry Skin with Olive Oil

Treating dogs dry skin may be difficult at times. There are several options, but they may not always work. It is important to detect the cause of dry skin, handle that condition and apply a suitable dry skin treatment. Treating dry skin with olive oil may be a viable option if the dog is not affected by severe underlying diseases that cause dry skin. Olive oil is a natural treatment that can be applied externally or internally. 

Dry Skin in Dogs

Dry skin in dogs may be diagnosed if the skin is flaky and the dog sheds excessive dander. If the dry skin is severe, the skin can get cracked and this may lead to wounds and infections.

Dry skin in dogs may be the results of:

  • Poor diet, lacking sufficient fats
  • Dry, windy weather
  • The cat’s room is dry and there are no dehumidifiers
  • Skin infections
  • External parasites
  • Allergies (inhalant or food allergies)
  • Liver problems
  • Hormonal imbalance, especially lack of thyroid hormones
  • Autoimmune diseases

The factor causing dry skin should be detected, so that the vet establishes the best course of treatment.

Olive Oil for Dog Dry Skin

Olive oil can be a solution for dog dry skin and may be applied both externally and internally.

This remedy alone will not reduce skin dryness if the dog is affected by liver problems or a hormonal imbalance, which require a more complex treatment. However, even in these cases, the olive oil may be applied as a supplement.

Olive Oil for Internal Use

Olive oil used internally may be added to the dog’s food or treats and can reduce skin flakiness. The olive oil contains omega 3 fatty acids, which can improve the quality of the skin. Add 5 to 10 drops of olive oil (approximately ½ tbsp) two times per day and you will be able to see results after a few days. Maintain this course of treatment until you notice that your dog’s skin is normal and then you can reduce the amount to just a few drops.

Giving a few drops of olive oil on a regular basis may be recommended, especially if your pet has a dry food diet. Olive oil will have no major side effects. Avoid giving more than 1/2 tbsp of olive oil at once, as otherwise the dog may develop diarrhea.

However, if the dog has excessively oily skin, olive oil will not be recommended.

Olive Oil as a Topical Treatment

Olive oil may also be used as a topical treatment. You may simply prepare a solution containing 5 to 10 tbsp of olive oil diluted in water and massage this into the dog’s skin once per day. However, this can be messy, so you may be better off opting for products that contain olive oil extracts. Creams and shampoos containing olive oil can be beneficial to repair dry skin in canines.

Get products that contain natural ingredients and avoid synthetic ingredients that could irritate the skin of your pet.

 

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