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Is Coconut Oil Safe for a Dog's Skin? A Simple Coat Rub

November 9, 2026

Wayne Dunn

Yes, a small amount of plain coconut oil on a dog's coat is fine. This page gives you a simple coat rub that leads with shea butter, with coconut oil added to soften it. It has two ingredients, exact amounts and clear limits on how much to use.

The rub is for dry skin, a dull coat and everyday comfort. It is not a treatment. If your dog has sores, hot spots, hair loss or constant scratching, go to your vet first.

Is coconut oil safe for a dog's skin?

Yes, plain coconut oil is safe on a dog's skin and coat in small amounts. It is a simple plant fat, so a lick is unlikely to cause harm. The risk is quantity, because a dog that eats a lot of any fat can get an upset stomach.

Choose plain coconut oil with no fragrance and nothing added. Keep it to a thin layer. Do not put it on open skin, sores or red, hot patches. Those need a vet, not a home remedy.

Ask your vet first if your dog has pancreatitis or is on a low-fat diet. Licking adds fat to the diet, and those dogs need to avoid extra.

Can I put coconut oil on my dog?

Yes, you can put coconut oil on your dog if you use a small amount and keep it away from the eyes. Warm a pea-sized amount between your palms, then smooth it over the coat. Thin layers matter, because dogs lick.

Patch test first. Dab a little on a small area of skin and wait 24 hours. Stop if you see any redness.

Coconut oil melts at about 76°F (24°C), so on a warm day it runs. That is one reason this page blends it with shea butter, which holds in place better. Wipe off any extra with a dry towel so your dog is not left greasy.

Will coconut oil help a dog's dry skin?

Many owners report that coconut oil makes dry skin and a dull coat feel softer, but it is not a treatment. Coconut oil is a moisturising fat. It sits on the surface and gives the coat a light, glossy finish.

Dry, flaky skin can have many causes, including fleas, allergies, diet and infections. A rub cannot tell you which one it is. If the dryness lasts more than a week or two, or your dog scratches a lot, see your vet.

For a dry nose or rough paws, try our dog nose balm or dog paw balm. For more on dry, itchy skin, read dry itchy skin in dogs.

Is coconut oil or shea butter better for dogs?

Shea butter is the better base and coconut oil is the softener, so most dogs do best with both together. Shea butter is firmer, so it stays on the coat and does not run in warm weather. Coconut oil is lighter and spreads easily.

Small licks of pure shea butter are harmless. Shea butter is a vegetable fat that has been used for cooking in West Africa for generations. A dog that eats a large amount of any fat, such as a whole tub, can get an upset stomach. That goes for shea butter and coconut oil alike. For more on this, read natural skincare for pets.

How much coconut oil can I put on my dog's coat?

Use a pea-sized amount for a small dog and a marble-sized amount for a large dog. Start with less. You can always add a little more.

Work on one area at a time, such as the back, the flanks or a dull patch. Do not coat the whole dog. Apply it once a day at most, and wipe off any extra with a dry towel.

The same rule applies if you use plain coconut oil on its own. A teaspoon spread over the whole coat is too much for most dogs.

Shea and coconut coat rub: how to make it at home

This whipped rub is unscented and made to be lick-safe. Shea butter leads, and coconut oil makes it soft and light. It makes about 4 oz (113 g). Allow about 10 minutes of work, plus 30 minutes of cooling.

There is nothing else in it. The ingredients are pure and natural. Nothing synthetic, no fragrance, no preservatives and no fillers.

Ingredients

3 oz (85 g) raw shea butter
1 oz (28 g) virgin coconut oil (about 2 tablespoons, 30 ml)
Optional: swap 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the coconut oil for baobab oil

You will also need a heatproof bowl, a small pan, a hand mixer or whisk and a clean, dry jar.

Method

Pour 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water into a pan and heat it until it simmers gently.
Put the shea butter in the heatproof bowl and set it over the pan. Stir until it has just melted, then take it off the heat. Keep water out of the bowl.
Stir in the coconut oil, and the baobab oil if you are using it.
Chill the bowl in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes, until the mix is soft and firming at the edges but not hard. Chilling quickly helps keep it smooth.
Whip with a hand mixer for 2 to 3 minutes, until it is pale and fluffy.
Spoon it into a clean, dry jar and leave it to set for 1 hour somewhere cool.

Yield: about 4 oz (113 g).

Storage: Keep it in a clean, dry jar with a lid, in a cool, dark place. Take it out with a clean, dry spoon. Use it within 3 months, and throw it out if it smells or looks off.

What each ingredient does in this rub

Shea butter makes the rub rich and firm. It holds on the coat instead of running off. It naturally contains vitamins A and E. Baraka's shea butter is made by hand by the women of the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Wa, Ghana.

Coconut oil makes the rub soft and light. It melts at about 76°F (24°C), so it spreads in a very thin layer once it warms in your hands.

Baobab oil is optional. It is a plain plant oil made by hand in Ghana, and it adds a little extra softness. Use only the small amount in the recipe.

How to change the texture

Here is the rule of thumb: butters make it rich, oils make it soft and light, and wax makes it hold its shape. This rub uses no wax, so shea butter is how you make it firmer.

Firmer or richer: use more shea butter and less coconut oil.
Softer or runnier: use more coconut oil and less shea butter.
Lighter and airier: whip it for a little longer.
Denser: skip the whipping and pour it into the jar after the chill.

Melt-point tips for barn and summer temperatures

Shea butter softens around body temperature, and coconut oil melts at about 76°F (24°C). In a hot car, a tack room or a barn above that, the rub goes soft or turns to liquid. It is still fine to use. Stir it, chill it again in the fridge and it sets.

Hot weather: use 3 1/2 oz (99 g) shea butter and 1/2 oz (14 g) coconut oil for a firmer rub.
Cold weather: use 2 1/2 oz (71 g) shea butter and 1 1/2 oz (43 g) coconut oil for a rub that spreads easily.

Keep the jar somewhere cool, out of the sun, and away from heaters.

What to leave out of a dog recipe, and why

Dogs lick. Assume everything you put on the coat will end up in the mouth. So every ingredient here is one that is fine to lick in small amounts.

Essential oils and fragrance: none. Some essential oils, such as tea tree, are toxic to dogs.
Cocoa butter: leave it out, because cocoa contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs.
Kombo butter and black soap: we leave these out of recipes for animals.
Red palm oil: leave it out, because it stains light coats.

How to use it safely

Patch test first on a small area of skin, and stop if you see any redness.
Keep it away from the eyes.
Use small amounts in thin layers.
Do not use it on wounds, open sores or broken skin.
Do not let your dog eat the jar. Store it out of reach.

When to see your vet

Wounds, hot spots, open sores, infections, swelling, hair loss and constant scratching go to the vet. So does skin that is red, hot or smells bad. A coat rub is not the answer for any of these.

If you also care for horses, mud fever, rain rot, thrush and lameness go to the vet or the farrier.

Many pet owners use these recipes and are happy with the results. They are made from simple, natural ingredients, but they are not veterinary treatments. Your vet should always be your first source of advice for your pet's skin, paws and health.

Make It Your Own

These recipes are a starting point, not a rulebook. Use your judgement, be inspired, and don't be afraid to experiment. Everything here is a pure, natural ingredient that blends happily with the others. Start with a small batch, write down what you did, and see how your dog responds. When you find a blend that works for you, make it again. Stay with the ingredients on this page, and keep every layer thin.

Quick answers

Is coconut oil safe for a dog's skin?

Yes, plain coconut oil is safe on a dog's skin and coat in small amounts. Use a thin layer, keep it off sores, and ask your vet first if your dog has pancreatitis or is on a low-fat diet.

Can I put coconut oil on my dog?

Yes, you can put a small amount of plain coconut oil on your dog. Patch test first, keep it away from the eyes, and use a pea-sized amount warmed in your hands.

Will coconut oil help a dog's dry skin?

Many owners report it makes dry skin and a dull coat feel softer, but it is not a treatment. Dryness that lasts, or constant scratching, needs a vet.

Is coconut oil or shea butter better for dogs?

Shea butter is the better base and coconut oil is the softener, so they work well together. Small licks of pure shea butter are harmless, but a dog that eats a large amount of any fat can get an upset stomach.

How much coconut oil can I put on my dog's coat?

Use a pea-sized amount for a small dog and a marble-sized amount for a large dog, once a day at most. Start with less and wipe off any extra.

About the shea butter

Baraka's shea butter is made by hand by the women of the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Wa, Ghana. Baraka is Community Certified Fair Trade. You can read more about the women and the work in the Impact Report.