If your dog has cracked paws, coconut oil can help bring relief. It is packed with various vitamins and minerals that can help moisturize the skin and reduce the chances of infection. Apply a small amount of coconut oil to your dog’s paws and thoroughly rub it in.
Does your dog appear to have dry paws? Does your dog yelp when walking on a warm surface? Have they recently gotten any cuts on their paws?
If you said yes to any of these questions, you might want to consider applying some coconut oil to your dog’s paws.
But what is coconut oil? Why should you use it? Are there any benefits to it? And where can you buy it? We have the answers to these questions and more!
Before we get into the fine details, it would benefit us to first look at some basic facts about what coconut oil is and what you should know about it. Let’s get started!
General Things to Know About Coconut Oil
What is Coconut Oil?
The fact that coconut oil comes from coconuts is not going to be a surprise to anyone. Coconut oil is made of the seed and inner part of a coconut (known as the flesh). As a result, most coconut oils are 100% natural and do not have any additional additives.
What Are the Main Purposes of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is often used in beauty products for general skincare to reduce oil buildup and help alleviate various skincare conditions, like acne.
The oil from coconuts is largely composed of fats that come from the coconut, particularly saturated fats.
One of the naturally occurring compounds inside coconut oil is an acid known as lauric acid. Lauric acid is often added to other skincare products to improve their effectiveness.
Coconut oil is safe for topical use on the skin and is ok for small amounts of consumption, but it should not be orally consumed in large quantities at one time.
How Coconut Oil Should Be Stored
Coconut oil is manufactured and designed to be kept at room temperature. It has a high melting point, meaning it has to be in extreme heat for it to become spoiled and go bad.
As long as you don’t keep coconut oil in places like a hot car out in the sun, coconut oil can be stored virtually anywhere.
Where Can Coconut Oil Be Purchased?
Coconut oil can be purchased at several places. Not only will your local pet store likely carry it, but places such as most grocery stores and pharmacies should also have some in stock.
Benefits of Coconut Oil For Dogs’ Paws
Humans are not the only ones that can benefit from coconut oil. Dogs can benefit from coconut oil in a number of ways, especially their paws!
Here are a few things you can use coconut oil for.
Relieve Dry and Sore Paws
From all the walking they do, dogs’ paws can get sore or dry. Applying a bit of coconut oil will help ease some of the pain they may have from sore paws.
The oil will also help hydrate and moisturize their paws. It will also help prevent their paws from becoming itchy or develop flakey skin.
Help With Burns
Sidewalks and pavement can get very hot, especially in the summer. If your dog walks on any such material, they may be susceptible to light burns. Coconut oil can help reduce the pain and skin irritation from light burns.
Help Prevent Cuts and Infections
Cuts on your dog’s paws can occur when you least expect them. Whether it’s from stepping on a small piece of glass or scratching it on a sharp piece of wood, there are no shortages of ways your dog’s paws can get cut.
If your dog gets a cut on its paw, there’s a good chance it will get infected. Fortunately, coconut oil can help to prevent infection.
Helps Skin Heal
Skin can peel, scar, and get scratched up. Coconut oil, something that is jammed packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals, can help.
Using coconut oil can help reduce scars, heal cuts, and help your dog’s skin stay hydrated and healthy.
Benefits Not Related to Your Dog’s Paws
Beyond just your dog’s paws, coconut oil has many other helpful benefits.
First, digesting a light amount of coconut oil can help control your dogs weight. The vitamins and minerals in the oil are not only healthy, but have been shown to help boost the metabolism and help your dog with appetite control.
There have also been studies suggesting that some coconut oil is good for older dogs’ brain health.
Finally, coconut oil has properties in it that are great for dogs’ oral health, which means it would work well as a natural toothpaste.
Beyond eating it, coconut oil can be lightly applied to the fur to keep it shiny and healthy. It can also help to repel bugs like fleas and ticks!
How To Use and Apply Coconut Oil On Your Dog’s Paws
Applying coconut oil to your dog’s paws is a straightforward process. However, there are a few things that you should know before you do so.
First, take the initial precautions before you apply any coconut oil to your dog’s paws. You will want to verify that they do not have any allergies to coconut oil. Your vet will be the best person to consult with about any potential allergies. Fortunately, most dogs will not have any allergies to coconut oil.
You will also want to make sure you carefully read any warning labels on the coconut oil bottle in the low chance that there are additives that will not be healthy for your dog’s paws.
Next, after you’ve taken all the needed precautions, take one of your dog’s paws and lift it up. Have someone assist you with holding your dog in place if they show resistance.
When your dog’s paw is lifted, gently apply some oil to their paw. When on, you will want to softly rub it in. Using circular motions is going to be the best way to go about applying it.
While that is the general gist of applying the oil, keep in mind there are some good times and uses to apply coconut oil.
If you are going out on a lengthy walk with your dog, it may be a good idea to apply the oil before you go out. This will provide a protective coat of oil on their feet as they walk.
You may also want to consider applying coconut oil before you go to bed. This will help the oil absorb into their paws overnight.
Give Coconut Oil a Try
Coconut oil has many benefits… probably more than you initially thought! Whether it’s used to help cure dry and sore skin, prevent infections, relieve burns, or for a reason that’s not related to their paws, coconut oil is an excellent multipurpose product that can be used in several different ways.
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