Neem Oil for Dogs

The life of a dog with severe and chronic skin problems is very hard. Imagine the frustration of having to deal with itchy spots that can’t be reached or scratched. Are you looking for a natural way to soothe itchy skin, insect/bug bites or pest infestation on your dog’s body? Try applying neem oil!

Extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, neem oil is a natural pesticide which is effective, safe and devoid of any kind of toxic side effects. The oil has been found to exhibit positive results intreating and curing various skin diseases in humans as well as pets.

The use of neem oil on your pet’s skin not only repels and kills pests but also allows your pet to havebeautiful and healthy coat and skin. It jeopardizes the lives of these pests by affecting their feeding habits and compromising the hormonal system, due to which the pests stop eating, mating and reproducing.As a result, the population of the pests drastically decreases until they are no more. The healing and medicinal powers of the oil helps strengthen the immune system and improve the overall health of the dog as well.

Neem oil is a great remedy for itchy skin, dry patches, insect bites, ticks, mites and fleas. Even a few drops of the oil go a long way! Although neem oil is rich in a wide range of nutrients, including antioxidant polyphenols, vitamin E, omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, most of its medicinal effects can be attributed to triterpenes such as azadirachtin and nimbin, which are chemical compounds that have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Neem Oil Benefits for the Coat and Skin of Dogs

Most dogs are prone to allergic reactions caused by food or environmental factors, which can manifest in the form of skin irritation or other skin conditions. The anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-microbial effects of neem oil are ideal for providing relief from these conditions, which is why you can find the oil as a main ingredient in many dog shampoos, soaps and skin products.

[Read more about Natural Bug Deterrent Alternatives]

So, for healthy and shining coat and skin on your dog, you can either buy a shampoo that contains neem in it or you can add a few drops of neem oil to the existing shampoo and use it on your pet. Make sure to add the oil just before you’re about to bathe your pet, otherwise the oil will start to disintegrate within the shampoo, rendering its components inactive. Leave the shampoo on your pet’s skin for some time or until your pet can tolerate it, before rinsing.

While preparing your own neem dog shampoo, try to use oatmeal shampoo, which is the most effective shampoo that can help sooth irritated skin, reduce itching and relieve pain. If oatmeal shampoo is not available, use any mild shampoo.

Neem Oil is a Natural Pesticide

Neem oil is an effective bug repellent, insecticide and a pesticide but at the same time it is environment friendly and harmless to your pets and beneficial insects. Many people prefer to use neem oil on their garden plants to keeps away insects and pests because it’s natural and safe.

Although neem oil fails to protect against certain pests and parasites like tapeworm and brown dog tick, it is found to be effective against all types of fleas, ticks and flies.

Neem Oil Gets Rid of Microbes

When dogs are affected with skin problems caused by microbes, they usually develop hair loss, dry or flaky skin, severe itching or discoloration of the skin.

Neem oil has potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties and therefore one of the most important uses of neem oil for the skin is that it helps prevent infection by destroying the bacteria and fungi.

Neem Oil Soothes Sunburn

If your dog has stayed outdoors in the sun for quite a long time and has suffered sunburn, apply neem oil shampoo on his skin and bathe him in cool water. This helps in soothing and healing the sunburnt skin.

[Read more about 15 uses of neem oil]

Neem Oil for the Overall Health of Your Dog

Neem oil has tons of medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-septic, anti-cancer and analgesic effects, which makes it an excellent remedy for boosting the overall health of your dog. Neem leaves powder can be added as a supplement to improve your dog’s nutrition.

Studies show that neem oil can help support liver function and purify the blood. The oil also helps strengthen the immunity of your pet, thus protecting against the various disease-causing bacteria and viruses that may be lurking around in the atmosphere. It is also a great remedy for improving dental and oral health.

How to Use Neem Oil on Dogs?

Using neem oil is quite easy. All you need to do is rub it on your dog’s coat. Before the topical application, make sure to dilute the oil by mixing it with a carrier oil like coconut oil, almond oil or grapeseed oil. Warm the oil slightly and then massage it on to your dog’s skin. The recommended proportion is one-part neem oil to 10 parts carrier oil. If the problem is still not resolved after using this remedy for a few days, you may try a 1:1 neem oil to carrier oil ratio less frequently.

You can apply high concentration neem oil on the skin, if your dog is suffering from severe skin problems. However, avoid using it on broken skin or open wounds or oozing sores. You should use only diluted neem oil in these cases.

You can start by applying the oil twice a day and when you notice positive results, you can reduce the application to once or twice a week. While applying the oil, make sure to monitor the skin from time to time. If you notice any allergic reaction, wash off the oil immediately.

The other popular ways of using neem oil on dogs is by preparing a neem spray or a neem shampoo. The method of preparing neem oil shampoo has already been mentioned above. If you’re trying out the product for the first time, it would be a good idea to consult a veterinarian before using it on your dog.

How to Make Neem Oil Spray?

A simple way to prepare a neem oil spray is to combine one-part neem with ten parts water, and a few drops of liquid soap. Just spray this mixture on your dog’s skin to get rid of skin problems. Since the oil doesn’t dissolve in water, the spray bottle must be shaken well every time before spraying, so that the oil and water gets mixed thoroughly.

The neem oil spray should be used within a day because the longer you keep it, lesser will be its potency. While spraying, make sure that the mixture does not come in contact with the sensitive parts of the dog such as eyes, nose and mouth. Instead of spraying the mixture, you can also apply it on your pet’s coat with the help of a sponge.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Some dogs may develop an allergic reaction to neem oil. Although not very dangerous it’s better that your dog doesn’t ingest the oil. According to some studies, animals that were fed neem oil for an extended period of time developed certain side effects. So, make sure that your dog doesn’t lick the areas of the body where the oil is applied.

Storing Neem Oil

Neem oil should be stored in a cool place, away from heat and sun. It should be kept in an airtight container to prevent oxidizing. If you’re preparing a home remedy using the oil, make sure to use it immediately, as it can become very unstable. Using oxidized neem oil will not give the desired result and in some cases may even cause an allergic response.

Conclusion

Dog owners are nowadays becoming more and more cautious about the medicines and food they give to their dogs. When it comes to pest control and improving overall health, neem oil, which is often referred to as a miracle oil works wonders on human and animals alike. An affordable and easy to use solution, neem oil has shown great potential in repelling pests and in treating skin diseases on dogs.

As with everything else, some dogs may develop allergic reaction to neem oil and in that case, wash off the product from the skin and take your dog to a veterinarian. Different types of neem oil are available in the market, but make sure you purchase unrefined, organic and cold pressed neem oil.

Have you started including neem oil in your dog’s health regimen? Try this miracle oil on your pets and let us know the results!

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