Olive Oil for Constipation in Dogs
If your dog is suffering from constipation, consult with your vet about using some olive oil. Use the recommended dose above and watch his stools the following day. Youll want to make sure theyre healthy as adding too much oil can lead to diarrhea.
Dogs that shed a lot can benefit from some olive oil in their diets. Because shedding can increase when a dog has itchy or dry skin, using olive oil will not only make their skin and coat healthier but reduce shedding. Another side effect of dry, irritated skin and skin allergies is dandruff and adding olive oil to their diet to improve their skin can reduce dandruff. Check with your vet first though as dandruff can be a sign of other more serious medical conditions. Add one teaspoon per 15 pounds but no more than a half tablespoon at any one meal to help with both shedding and dandruff.
A natural solution to preventing fleas on your dog involves olive oil. You can mix any of these essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, or cedar in a base of olive oil and put in a spray bottle. Spray lightly on your dog and avoid getting any in his eyes or on his face as the smell can be quite intense for a dogs heightened sense of smell. If your dog already has fleas, you can put some olive oil directly on his skin to kill them. Again, avoid his eyes and face and start around the back of his head and administer the oil along his back to this tail. Wait approximately three to four hours and then rinse the oil off his skin.
Picking the Right Olive Oil and Dosage
If you decide to give your dog olive oil, Morgan recommends using extra virgin olive oil. Made from the first pressing of the olive, extra virgin olive oil has a lower acid content which results in a fresher taste, she says. This kind of olive oil can go rancid faster than others, however, so it should be stored in a dark-colored bottle away from high heat, Morgan says.
Both doctors recommend giving your dog no more than one teaspoon of olive oil per 20 pounds of body weight per meal. It can be mixed in with your pup’s regular wet or dry dog food.
While some beauty magazines espouse the benefits of applying olive oil directly to human skin and hair, you likely won’t get the same results on your pup.
“The problem we have with animal patients is they don’t restrict the use of their tongue just to eating food,” Reeder says.
Applying olive oil to a dog’s skin or coat may increase their urge to lick the area, which could just further aggravate dry, cracked or irritated skin, he says. It could also increase the odds of olive oil ending up on your carpet or furniture.
Supplement Your Dog With Olive Oil
There are many reasons a dog develops dry skin. Sometimes its due to an underlying illness; other times it may be due to the seasonal climate. It can even be caused by a dietary deficiency. Dry skin isnt difficult to spot; it tends to look pale and a little parched or flaky. In comparison, healthy skin glistens slightly, and there are no flakes of skin on the scalp or in the fur. Olive oil offers a safe, natural solution for dry skin. If youre concerned about whether olive oil is toxic to dogs, you are perfectly safe feeding it to your dog unless your dog is allergic to it. Related Articles
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A few years back my boyfriend made a remark about my dog’s skin and how smooth it was. “She doesn’t have dry, flaky skin like a lot of other dogs.” It was true, she didn’t. For the first few years she had the shiniest, healthiest coat I’ve seen — but this winter changed all that.
Does your dog have some dry flakes on his skin? Are his elbows a bit dry? Looking for a simple remedy for your puppies itchy skin?
My dog had some extra dry skin this winter. After taking her to the vet and ruling out any medical issues such as allergies we decided to try using olive oil for my dog’s dry skin.