Is your dog’s paw pads, belly, nose, or ears a little dry and flaky? Try using sweet almond oil as a natural moisturiser!
Besides being a wonderful carrier oil for homemade flea and tick repellents, sweet almond oil is great for hair and skin care. It contains fatty acids that will soothe and soften the skin and lock in moisture.
It is also anti-inflammatory, which may help with skin diseases and itchiness.
According to an article by Zeeshan Ahmad from Salisbury District Hospital, Ancient Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Greco–Persian schools of Medicine used almond oil to treat dry skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. It helps with acne too!
What’s great about sweet almond oil is that it’s light enough for direct use on the skin. You can also mix in a few drops of pure essential oils that are safe for your dogs for added benefits. Mama uses pure lavender oil and sweet almond oil in a 1:9 ratio to help manage my demodectic mange.
When buying sweet almond oil, go to a reputable shop. That’s because oils are very sensitive in nature. They need proper distillation or expression to retain its beneficial properties. The storage and delivery of the oil are also important to ensure the oil doesn’t turn rancid.
Store your sweet almond oil in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. It has a shelf life of about ten months.
If your dog’s dry and flaky skin persists, please consult your trusted vet.
