Dry, Itchy Skin in Dogs: Natural Care with Shea and Baobab Oil

A common home remedy for dog dry skin is a thin layer of plain, unscented shea oil and baobab oil on the dry patches, with less frequent baths and regular brushing. Baraka's shea butter, shea oil and baobab oil are made by hand by the women of the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Wa, Ghana. Itching that keeps going needs a vet.

What is a home remedy for dog dry skin?

Most owners start with the simple things: bathe less often, use a gentle shampoo made for dogs, brush regularly and keep the home from getting too dry in winter. Then they add a small amount of a plain oil or butter on the dry patches. Shea butter is traditionally used on dry skin, and many owners report that a light skin oil or a spot balm leaves a dog's coat and skin looking and feeling softer.

Keep it plain. Everything in this guide is unscented, with no essential oils, no fragrance and no cocoa butter. A dog will lick whatever you put on it, so use thin layers and a little at a time.

This is home care for ordinary dryness. It is not a way to deal with a skin problem. If the skin is red, broken, scabbed or losing hair, skip to the vet section below.

What can you put on a dog's itchy skin?

For mild dryness, a thin layer of a plain balm or a few drops of a light skin oil on the dry patch is what many owners reach for. The recipes below use shea butter, shea oil and baobab oil, all of which are simple single ingredients you can name and pronounce.

If the skin is open, scabbed, weeping or very red, put nothing on it and call your vet. Itching has many causes, and fleas, mites, allergies and infection all need a vet to sort out, not a jar from the kitchen. Do not keep applying a balm to skin that is not getting better. See the vet section below.

What causes dog dandruff?

Dog dandruff is dry skin flaking off, and the usual everyday reasons are:

• Winter heating. Warm, dry indoor air dries out skin, and many owners notice more flakes in the colder months.
• Over-bathing. Frequent washing strips the skin's natural oils.
• Harsh shampoos. Strong or fragranced shampoos, and shampoos made for people, can leave skin dry.
• Diet. What a dog eats can show up in the coat and skin. Ask your vet about food rather than guessing.

Flakes can also be a sign of something a vet needs to look at: fleas, mites, allergies, an infection or hot spots. If the flakes come with scratching, redness, a smell, patches of lost hair or sore spots, book a vet visit instead of trying remedies at home.

Is coconut oil good for dogs' skin?

Many owners report using virgin coconut oil on dry patches and being happy with the result, so it is a popular home choice. Virgin coconut oil absorbs quickly, is solid below about 75°F (24°C) and turns to a clear liquid above it. It moves between the two readily as the room warms and cools, and that does not affect it.

Use it sparingly. A dog will lick it off, so a very thin layer on one small area is plenty, not a thick coating or an all-over rub. If you are not sure it suits your dog, ask your vet first.

You do not need coconut oil to get the same result. The shea oil, baobab oil and shea butter in the recipes below do a similar job as a light skin oil and a spot balm. Baraka does not make coconut oil, so follow the label on whichever virgin coconut oil you buy.

What is a natural dog skin moisturizer?

A natural dog skin moisturizer can be as simple as one or two plain ingredients. Shea oil is the liquid fraction of shea, so it stays pourable at room temperature, and it is lighter on the skin than the whole butter and absorbs more readily. Baobab oil is also liquid, pale yellow to golden, and absorbs quickly without the heaviness of a richer oil. Shea butter is the richer choice for a dry patch, because it is solid at room temperature and melts on contact with skin.

Baraka's shea butter is unrefined, strained and filtered only. It suits the spot balm because it is the rich base that stays where you put it.

Baraka's shea oil suits the skin oil because it is light and absorbs readily.

Baraka's baobab oil pairs well with it because it adds softness without weight. The baobab fruit falls naturally from wild trees and is gathered from the ground by women in the communities where the trees stand.

Recipe 1: light coat and skin oil

A few drops of this go on the dry areas of a dog's coat and skin. It is a light oil, so it works for dry skin under the coat without leaving a heavy film.

Ingredients

• 1 oz (28 g) shea oil
• 1/2 oz (14 g) baobab oil

Directions

1. Pour both oils into a clean, dry dropper bottle or small jar.
2. Close the lid and shake or stir gently until blended.
3. Put a few drops on your palms, rub them together and smooth over the dry areas only, following the direction of the coat.
4. Wipe away any excess with a soft cloth, and brush through. Keep the layer thin, because your dog will lick it.

Storage

Keep it closed, in a cool place away from heat and direct sun. Label it with the date you made it. This blend has no water in it, and a small bottle is easier to keep fresh.

Recipe 2: spot balm for dry patches

This is a firmer balm for a dry nose edge, elbow or other dry patch. The shea butter base is solid and rich, while the baobab oil keeps it soft enough to spread thinly.

Ingredients

• 2 oz (57 g) shea butter
• 1/2 oz (14 g) baobab oil

Directions

1. Put the shea butter in a heatproof bowl over a pan of gently simmering water.
2. Melt it slowly and take the bowl off the heat as soon as it has just melted.
3. Stir in the baobab oil.
4. Pour into a clean, dry jar and leave to set at room temperature before putting on the lid.
5. To use, warm a pea-sized amount between your fingers and press a very thin layer onto the dry patch. Never put it on open or broken skin.

Storage

Store the jar closed, away from heat and direct sun. Shea butter keeps 2+ years when stored properly. Make small batches so the balm stays fresh and the jar is used up.

What each ingredient does in these recipes

• Shea butter: rich and solid at room temperature, then melts on contact with skin. It is the base of the balm and gives it body. Shea butter is traditionally used on dry skin.
• Shea oil: light, liquid and absorbs more readily than the whole butter. It is the main part of the skin oil.
• Baobab oil: soft, light and quick to absorb. It adds softness to the oil and the balm without making them heavy.

How to change the texture

The rule of thumb is that butters make it rich, oils make it soft and light, and wax makes it hold its shape.

• Firmer balm: add a little more shea butter, or stir in about 1/8 oz (4 g) of beeswax per 2 oz (57 g) of butter.
• Softer balm: add a few more drops of baobab oil or shea oil.
• Lighter skin oil: use a little more baobab oil, which absorbs quickly.
• Richer skin oil: use a little more shea oil.

Change one thing at a time and write down what you did. Keep the batch small so any dryness or greasiness is easy to correct next time.

Also good for horses, goats and cats

The spot balm is also used on dry patches on horses and goats, in a thin layer, and not near the eyes. Cats are different. They groom a lot, so for cats use only plain shea butter, nothing blended, in a very thin layer, and ask your vet first. Do not use the skin oil or the baobab blend on a cat.

When to see a vet

Call your vet, rather than reaching for a jar, if you see any of these:

• Itching that is constant or keeps coming back
• Open sores, or skin that is weeping
• Hair loss or bald patches
• Redness or a rash
• Scabs or crusts
• A strong smell from the skin or coat
• Fleas, or a dog that is scratching, chewing or licking one spot over and over

These can point to fleas, mites, allergies, infection or hot spots, and each of them needs a vet's diagnosis. Nothing in this guide is a substitute for that. The recipes here are for ordinary dry skin and nothing more.

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's skin responds. When you find a blend that works, make it again.

Keep to the ground rules while you experiment: no essential oils, no fragrance, no cocoa butter, and always thin layers.

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.

Quick answers

What is a home remedy for dog dry skin?

Many owners bathe less often, use a gentle dog shampoo, brush regularly and put a thin layer of a plain, unscented oil or butter on dry patches. A light blend of shea oil and baobab oil is one example. Itching that continues, open sores or hair loss need a vet.

What can you put on a dog's itchy skin?

For mild dryness, owners often use a thin layer of a plain spot balm or a few drops of a light skin oil. On red, broken, scabbed or weeping skin, put nothing on it and call your vet, because itching can come from fleas, mites, allergies or infection.

What causes dog dandruff?

Dog dandruff is dry skin flaking off. Everyday causes include dry winter heating, over-bathing, harsh shampoos and diet. Flakes with scratching, redness or hair loss can point to fleas, mites, allergies, infection or hot spots, so see your vet.

Is coconut oil good for dogs' skin?

Many owners report using virgin coconut oil on dry patches and being happy with it. Use it sparingly, in a very thin layer, because a dog will lick it off. If you are unsure whether it suits your dog, ask your vet first.

What is a natural dog skin moisturizer?

A simple one is a light blend of 1 oz (28 g) shea oil and 1/2 oz (14 g) baobab oil, or a spot balm of 2 oz (57 g) shea butter and 1/2 oz (14 g) baobab oil. Both are unscented and go on in thin layers.