Olive Oil for a Healthy Coat
Studies have shown that olive and other oils, including sunflower and safflower, can help reduce inflammation in dogs and ease the itching associated with allergies, says Dr. Christopher Reeder, a board-certified dermatologist at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Franklin, Tennessee.
He’s also seen a noticeable increase in luster and shine in the coats of dogs whose diets were supplemented with olive oil, adding that it takes about 30 days to make a difference.
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, which may help protect against cell damage. It also contains chemicals that have been shown to help fight cancer in humans and prevent cognitive decline, says Dr. Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian and author.
While neither doctor could say for sure if those benefits also apply to dogs, they say there is no harm in adding it to your dog’s diet, as long as you do it the right way.
Olive oil is a staple in most household kitchens. You may use it to dip bread, sauteed chicken or drizzle over a salad or pasta dish. In addition to being delicious, it has many health benefits including being touted as a heart-healthy oil. It is a staple of the “Mediterranian Diet” which is often regarded as one of the world’s healthiest diets. But did you know that adding olive oil to your dog’s diet can be good for them too? We’ll discuss some health benefits and how you can add olive oil to your dog’s diet.
Why I Chose Olive Oil For My Dogs Dry Skin
If I could magically create more humidity in winter I would since dry skin isn’t much fun to deal with. My dog and I get dry, itchy skin in the winter and it’s no fun at all. I got a humidifier to help, but it had limited results. And while I can just use lots of lotion to help soothe my dry skin that’s not an option for my dog, so I went searching for another plan.
There are many recommendations out there for treating a dogs dry skin, but I didn’t have any of those on hand. And since I didn’t have any advanced formula shampoos, nor any salmon or coconut oil I started with something I did have — some extra virgin olive oil.
I started adding a few drops to my dog’s food to see what would happen. I wasn’t expecting much from just a few drops but it was worth trying. If it didn’t improve her skin at least she was getting more omega 3 fatty acids and polyphenols.
Much to my surprise it did work (and she loves the taste), and although her skin isn’t quite as shiny as it was a few years ago the flakes are gone. And she’s itching a lot less.
