My boyfriend once commented on how smooth my dog's coat was. She didn't. She had the healthiest and shiniest coat for the first couple of years, but the winter changed that.
Are there some flaky flakes on your dog's skin? His elbows may be a little dry. Are you looking for a quick remedy to soothe your dog's itchy skin?
I noticed that my dog's skin was extra dry this winter. We decided to use olive oil after taking my dog to the vet to rule out allergies and other medical problems.
What are the most common causes of dry skin in dogs?
Many dogs have dry, flaky skin at some point in their lives. This is especially prevalent during the winter months when humidity levels drop. It's important to note that not all dryness is due to a decrease in humidity.
It's crucial to determine the cause of your dog's itchy skin before trying anything new. If your dog suffers from food allergies, adding olive oil to his diet will not solve the problem. He'll still have itchy skin.
Finding out the cause of your dog's dry skin can be difficult. A trip to the veterinarian is advised because it's not always easy to find the root problem. Your dog's dry skin can be caused by a list of medical conditions. Your veterinarian should examine your dog to rule out medical issues.
Your vet can test a small sample of the skin on your dog to diagnose and rule out a variety of skin conditions. The most frequent causes of a dog's dry skin include:
- Allergies, both seasonal & food
- Fleas (can cause severe allergies in certain dogs)
- Ringworm
- Skin Infections
- Mange
- Sensitivity towards grooming products
- Stress or hormonal changes
Our vet believes that the low humidity in winter is to blame. Just like us our dogs can get dry, flaky skin during winter. Itchy skin is not a sign of a disease.
Why I chose olive oil for my dog's dry skin
Dry skin in winter is not fun. It's not fun to have dry, itchy winter skin. The humidifier I bought was only able to provide limited relief. While I could use lots of moisturizer to soothe my skin, that wasn't an option for my pet. So I looked for a different solution.
There are a lot of recommendations for treating dry skin in dogs, but I did not have any on hand. Since I didn't own any shampoos with advanced formulas, nor did I have salmon or coconut oils on hand, I began by using something I already had — extra virgin Olive Oil.
I added a few drops of oil to the food for my dog to see what happened. It was worth a try, even though I didn't expect much. If it didn't improve her skin at least she was getting more omega 3 fatty acids and polyphenols.
Fatty acids play a vital role in maintaining a healthy body, both inside and outside. Many commercial pet foods contain very little beneficial fatty acid, so a good pet supplement will be necessary to help most pets achieve optimal health and avoid skin and coat problems. – Dr. Donna Spector DVM, DACVIM
It worked! She loves it, and the flakes have disappeared. Her skin isn't as lustrous as it used to be a few year ago but they are no longer there. She's also itching less.
The drool-ice was her idea.
How much olive oil should you give your dog?
The general rule is that you should not add more than one tablespoon of olive oil per 20 pounds of body weight. For every 20 pounds. My 70-pound dog gets 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with each meal. I give my 70 pound dog 2 tsp.
It's not harmful to add a small amount of olive oil to the diet of your dog, but it is best to introduce new foods slowly as it may cause upset stomach. If your dog is trying to shed a few extra pounds, you may want to give olive oil a try. One tablespoon contains 120 calories.
You can also apply olive oil directly to the skin of your dog if you do not want to add it to their food. (that sounded messy so I went with the food route.
Can Olive Oil Help Dry Skin in Dogs?
My dog's itchy, dry skin improved after using olive oil. After a week, I could see a difference in her skin and coat. By week two, they were back to their normal state. It was a mild case, but it worked.
Olive oil, rich in antioxidants and especially vitamin E has been associated with promoting cardiovascular health. Even if the little experiment didn't work on her skin, I knew she would still benefit from it in other ways.
You can help your dog's itching by adding a few drops to olive oil if you notice that his skin is getting dry. This home remedy is not only easy to use, but also offers many health benefits.
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which prevent and reduce the effects of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is rich in monounsaturated fats, including oleic acids, as well as squalene, terpenoids, and other compounds that may help prevent cancer. Cancer kills 50% of dogs older than 10 years. – Add Olive Oil To Your Dogs' Diet
Dry Skin Remedies/Additional Resources
- Omega-Fatty Acids: Sources, Effects and Therapeutic Uses in Dogs
- Dog Nutrition For a Healthy Coat
- Benefits of fish oil for your dog's health
What home remedies do you use for your dog's dry skin?
After much research, it seems that many pet owners have even better results with coconut oil. After much research, it appears that many pet owners get even better results using coconut oils. What has worked for you to soothe your dog's dry skin?
I may have to purchase a bottle of Coconut Oil to test it next winter. I will make smoothies in the event that it does not work as well as my olive oil.