Aloe vera for the skin of dogs - benefits and how to apply it

Aloe vera or aloe vera is one of the most common plants for home use to treat skin wounds and other ailments due to its high healing properties. So, perhaps, when our pet also requires our care, think of aloe vera to give it to our dog.

Aloe vera is an adaptogenic plant, that is, it helps the organism to return to its natural state of health. Therefore, it will serve both for skin wounds and to repair internal organs. In the case of dogs, the plant can also help them heal different internal and external ailments. If you are interested in the subject, in this article we will explain how aloe vera works for dogs' skin, as well as its benefits and how to apply it.

What aloe vera is for - benefits for dogs' skin

Generically, the famous benefits of aloe vera are because it contains large amounts of vitamin A, B, C and E, carbohydrates, tannins, phytosterols, amino acids, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, phosphorus or iron, terpenes, enzymes, water and acids, among others. For all this, aloe vera has many medicinal properties, such as:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Analgesic
  • Healing
  • Renew damaged cells
  • Improves blood circulation
  • Antibiotic
  • Antifungal
  • Antiviral
  • Energizing
  • Digestive
  • Detoxifier
  • Improves absorption of nutrients
  • Improves drug absorption
  • Moisturizing
  • Relieves itching

In addition, if we or our pet is medicating, it is good to know that aloe does not interact with any medication, that is, that it will not alter the function of said medicines or create adverse effects, since the main function of this plant is that of stabilize the body's anomalies.

Properties and benefits of aloe vera for dogs

Using aloe for dogs' skin will never cause problems, since it has multiple benefits for our pets. Adapting the properties mentioned in the previous section to the dogs, we will see that aloe vera is very useful for the following cases:

  • Allergies : dog allergies can cause itchy skin, rashes or inflammations. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, moisturizing and cellular renewal properties of aloe, our dog will be able to rest from the symptoms of its allergy at the skin level.
  • Dermatitis : this disease occurs due to inflammation of the dermis, ie the skin, and may be due to an allergic reaction, flea bites, fungal infection or irritation by a toxic substance. Therefore, the medicinal properties of aloe vera such as anti-inflammatory, antifungal or analgesic, will help treat the dermatitis of our dog.
  • Hair loss : this may be due to injuries, infections or diseases, but the reparative properties of aloe vera could participate in the cellular regeneration of the skin of our dog and, as a consequence, make it likely to leave hair again.
  • Wounds : the healing and regenerative capacity of this plant will help to heal the wounds of our dog. In addition, it will protect you from viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
  • Scars : since aloe can repair damage at the cellular level, it is capable of treating scars both new and old.

Other benefits and properties of aloe vera for dogs

  • Damaged organs : aloe vera juice can be good for dogs, especially in the case of problems with the liver, helping to detoxify the organ and repair it.
  • Hormonal imbalances : supplying the plant in the same way, can help balance the hormones of dogs, since it helps the proper functioning of the body.
  • Tumors : these cases are more complicated and here this plant may not always be effective, but it usually helps to slow down cell growth and lack of control.
  • Digestive and intestinal problems : if our dog suffers from lack of appetite, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting or even colds, the gel of this plant would improve all these problems thanks to all its properties.

However, to administer aloe by mouth to our dog, it is better to go to the veterinarian first so that he or she will advise us about the dose and duration of treatment.

How to use aloe vera for dogs' skin

There are different preparations on the market with this plant for our dogs, but it will always be better to use the plant naturally. Aloe vera can be used in two ways in dogs :

  • Externally : using the gel of the plant called parenchyma . This is its most harmless use, since it will hydrate and repair the cells of our pet.
  • Internally : liquefying it and creating a juice. This way of using aloe vera can be combined with the previous one, and thus treat the animal both inside and out.

For cutaneous use, aloe vera could be applied directly on the skin of the dog, after cutting with a knife the plant and removing the skin, so that it would be like a soap bar ready to rub on the body, or create a cream of aloe for our dog, with which we would take advantage of the properties of aloe.

If you want to give aloe vera juice to your dog, remember that the dose and duration of treatment should be indicated by the veterinarian, since it will depend on the weight of the animal and what happens to it.

How to make aloe vera cream for dogs' skin

Here's how to make an aloe vera cream step by step :

  1. Ideally, the plant should be approximately one year old, so that the stems are moderately thick and contain all the properties of the plant.
  2. We cut one of the outer leaves from below, almost touching the ground. The widest and thickest part of the plant (the one below) is the one that contains the most amount of gel.
  3. We cut the skin so that we only stay with the transparent gel, the parenchyma.
  4. We beat the parenchyma together with a spoonful of coffee of olive oil, so that it acts as an emulsifier and all the juice is well mixed.

Well preserved in the fridge can last up to a week. To apply it on the skin of our dog we can do it with our hands or with a gauze or swab, depending on the area and the size of the wound. We can also use a dog cream recommended by the specialist and ask if it is advisable to add aloe vera.

Can dogs eat aloe vera?

Many owners are afraid that their pet can lick the aloe we apply to them, and sometimes they can even run to the vet when they cry, "Doctor, my dog ​​has eaten aloe vera! Is something going to happen to him?" Quiet. No, aloe vera is not toxic to dogs as long as it is given the recommended amount, which will be prescribed by the specialist. However, yes there are other plants with which we must be careful. You can read the article What are the toxic plants for dogs if you would like more information.

Symptoms of canine poisoning by aloe vera

The problem with aloe vera in dogs, is not only to supply more than the normal amount orally, but you have to be careful not to give the part that touches the skin of the plant, which has a yellowish gel, called acíbar, which is harmful to the dog. In case of poisoning, dogs may suffer:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Spasms
  • Depression
  • Changes in the color of urine

Therefore, as we see, they are not too serious symptoms, but we must be careful for the sake of the health of our animals.

How to make aloe vera juice for dogs' skin

Some skin problems can also be treated with a combination of external and oral supply. To do this, we must prepare an aloe vera juice for our dog :

  1. Following the first three steps above, we will cut the stem of one of these plants that is approximately one year old.
  2. We will peel the skin (starting with the sides, so as not to get punctured) and we will be left alone with the gelatinous part.
  3. Then, rinse the gel with plenty of water, to avoid two things in this way: that the juice is bitter and that we administer our dog by mistake the yellow liquid.
  4. After, we will beat the parenchyma well until it is like a porridge.

Some dogs take it directly without any problem, but it costs others for its flavor. If this were the case, we could mix the juice of aloe for dogs in their food, preferably in a canned or homemade food, instead of in the feed.