3 Key Tips to Ease Dog Skin Conditions with Coconut Oil

dog skin conditions can make you feel helpless and exhausted because once again your dog scratches, bites and chews constantly which in turn creates additional problems and causes her more pain … then there’s that gross dog odor you can’t seem to get away from and not only is this miserable for your dog but you lose sleep every night, then to make matters worse, a trip to your vet with yet another round of steroids and antibiotics just isn’t in your budget right now. All you want to do is put an end to this vicious cycle!

This dog health article gives you 7 common skin conditions on dogs and offers proven tips to relieve, reduce and eventually eliminate these skin problems with 1 simple solution.

7 Common Dog Skin Conditions That Lead to Vet Visits

Skin related problems on dogs are one of the main reasons you take your dog to your veterinarian. Because your dog’s skin conditions can be difficult to treat, your dog can end up back at your vet numerous times over the course of her life. Here are 7 common skin conditions to look out for on your dog:

Dry Itchy Skin – Also known as pruritus, dry itchy skin is the most common reason for vet visits related to skin problems. Your itchy dog can develop red inflamed skin, lesions, and infections because she continuously chews, licks and scratches her irritated skin.
Hot Spots – Moist lesions that are extremely irritated and red develop into hot spots on your dog and are often accompanied by pus. Hot spots are typically found on your dog’s head, hips, legs and chest area, however they can appear anywhere on your dog’s body. Hot spots are painful for your dog so prompt treatment is key.
Odors – Foul smells from your dog are often only temporarily eliminated by a bath. Your dog’s odor could indicate an underlying health condition, anal gland issue, gassiness, yeast or ear infection or poor diet. Bad breath is usually a sign of problems with teeth or gums.
Eczema – The outer layers of your dog’s skin can become inflamed and itchy with eczema, one of the most extremely uncomfortable dog skin conditions. This is due to fungal or yeast infections, insect bites, poor nutrition or contact with inhaled substances that include dust, chemicals and plants. Often seasonal, eczema tends to be worse in hot, humid or dry weather and the itchiness can cause your dog to scratch, lick, and chew at her skin which forms fluid filled blisters.
Allergies– The 3 categories of allergies are environment, food and fleas. Irritants such as pollen, grass, ragweed, mold and cleaning chemicals can trigger your dog’s allergic response. Corn, wheat, rice and soy found in many commercial diets can also cause dog skin conditions. Your dog chews, scratches and bites herself to get relief.
Dull Coat – Your dog’s fur can look unhealthy and feel coarse or dry to the touch. The main reasons for this are poor diet, allergies, health issues, infections and frequent bathing. The result is itchy skin which can lead to your dog’s dull coat.
Yeast Infections – Also known as candida, an overgrowth of yeast often occurs when your dog’s immune system is out of sync. Yeast is a fungus that grows in moist areas on your dog’s skin. Yeast infections usually appear in your dog’s ears, on her paws, and on your dog’s skin folds.

A Powerful Healer for Dog Skin Conditions: Coconut Oil

These are powerful properties of coconut oil which give you the reasons why it’s the one solution you need to treat your dog’s skin conditions.

Coconut oil contains many beneficial Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs). Lauric acid, the main component of the MFCAs, has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties which help boost your dog’s immunity and overall wellness as well as help fight off your dog’s skin infections.
The MFCAs caprylic and lauric acid in coconut oil help reduce inflammation internally and externally. These acids are ideal moisturizers for your dog’s dry itchy skin.
Coconut oil contains the antioxidant vitamin E, which helps soothe and heal eczema and hot spots on your dog.

3 Proven Tips to Relieve and Reduce Dog Skin Conditions With Coconut Oil

Below are 3 safe solutions which can improve the overall condition of your dog’s skin and coat.

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What you need to treat your dog’s skin conditions – It is important to use organic coconut oil that is virgin or extra virgin, which means unrefined. For a higher quality, more nutritious and better tasting coconut oil, choose cold pressed in a glass jar rather than a plastic container.
What you need to feed your dog to help treat your dog’s skin conditions – Mix 1 teaspoon coconut oil in your dog’s food daily. You can even serve coconut oil to your dog right off your spoon because most dogs love the taste of coconut oil. Another simple way to help relieve is to make your hand into the shape of a cup, add 1 teaspoon of oil and let your dog lick it up. The recommended daily dose is 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight and 1 tablespoon for every 30 pounds. Start with ¼ of this dose especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach since too much may cause diarrhea or greasy stools. Gradually increase the amount until your dog’s body adjusts to the addition of coconut oil in her diet.
How to apply coconut oil to treat your dog’s skin condition – Take a small amount of coconut oil, because a little goes a long way, and rub between your hands to soften it up. Massage this melted coconut oil into the affected areas of your dog’s fur and skin. Apply 3 times daily to heal dog skin conditions. Applied topically, coconut oil helps heal your dog’s cuts, wounds, hot spots, dry skin and hair, bites and stings.

Please Note: Coconut oil is usually in a white, solid state or clear liquid, depending on room temperature. To soften, melt it over low heat on your stove or place the glass jar in some warm water.

Caution: Coconut oil increases the overall fat in your dog’s diet, therefore it may not be ideal for your overweight dog. It’s not recommended to give coconut oil to your dog if she has been diagnosed with pancreatitis. So although it’s generally safe, a good rule of thumb is to check with your vet first, especially if your dog has a pre-existing condition.

Coconut oil is an effective and relatively inexpensive remedy to relieve and eliminate dog skin conditions. It can be bought online or at your local grocery store.

Now that you’ve learned about this one simple solution and how coconut oil can help clear up your dog’s skin issues, not only will your dog feel better but you may finally be able to get that good night’s sleep after all!

Share this health article about coconut oil with your friends and family so they can help their dog with skin conditions. You can always depend on the best dog health strategies from Enchantingpets.

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