Aloe vera is a plant known for its soothing and healing properties, commonly used in skincare and wellness products for humans.
But did you know that aloe vera can also benefit dogs in certain situations? It’s true! Aloe vera for dogs is a popular remedy!
That said, while it can be helpful for skin conditions and digestive health, there are some important cautions to be aware of when using aloe vera with your canine companion. In this blog, we’ll explore what aloe vera is, how it can benefit dogs, the best ways to use it, and when to exercise caution.
What is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that contains a gel-like substance within its leaves. This gel is rich in vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, and antioxidants, making it a popular natural remedy for soothing skin irritations, burns, and promoting healing. In addition to its topical uses, aloe vera has been used internally to aid digestion and support overall wellness.
The Benefits of Aloe Vera for Dogs
Most of us know aloe as the soothing plant we use for sunburns – but that’s not all it’s good for! When used properly, aloe vera can offer several benefits for dogs, particularly when it comes to skin care and healing. Here are some of the ways aloe vera can help your dog:
1. Soothes Skin Irritations: Aloe vera’s cooling and anti-inflammatory properties make it excellent for soothing a dog’s skin that is irritated by conditions like hot spots, rashes, or insect bites. It helps reduce redness, itchiness, and discomfort by stimulating circulation to create a cooling effect.
2. Promotes Healing of Wounds: Aloe vera’s antibacterial and antifungal properties can help prevent infection and speed up the healing process for minor cuts, burns, and abrasions. It’s anti-inflammatory properties are also good in this regard.
3. Moisturizes Dry Skin: Dogs with dry, flaky skin or those suffering from conditions like eczema can benefit from the moisturizing qualities of aloe vera, which helps hydrate and repair damaged skin.
4. Supports Digestive Health: Aloe vera can also be used internally to soothe digestive issues, such as constipation, inflammation, or gastrointestinal discomfort. Since it’s 98% water, can help boost the water content in the body, which can help improve regularity. Aloe also promotes healing along your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, making it helpful for leaky gut! This is why we use it in our Canine Gut Soothe!
How to Use Aloe Vera for Dogs Safely
There are two main ways aloe vera can be used for dogs—topically and internally—but it’s important to know the correct methods to ensure safety.
First things first: avoid the latex! The aloe plant contains a substance called latex, which is found just under the skin of the plant. When you break open an aloe leaf, it’s the yellow layer between the green leaf and clear gel. This latex contains compounds called anthraquinones, which are toxic to dogs if ingested. Always use products that are free of latex, and never allow your dog to chew on raw aloe vera leaves.
Note: we don’t recommend aloe vera for our feline friends. Ingesting aloe can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats, so we always skip it for the kitties.
1. Topical Use
- Straight from the plant: The clear gel inside aloe leaves is a boon – it’s why so many people keep the plant at home. But avoid that yellow latex – just use the clear gel.
- Aloe vera gel: There are a ton of aloe vera products on the market, but when choosing one for your dog, you need to be careful. Choose only 100% pure aloe vera gel or a product specifically formulated for pets. You can apply the gel directly to irritated or damaged areas of the skin. Be sure to use it sparingly and monitor your dog to prevent them from licking the treated area.
- DIY Aloe Spray: You can make a simple soothing spray by diluting 100% pure aloe vera gel with water. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture and apply it to hot spots, rashes, or areas of dry skin as needed.
2. Internal Use
- Aloe vera juice: Small amounts of aloe vera juice can help support digestive health. We recommend making your own to avoid any unwanted ingredients. Mix 1 tablespoon of gel (avoid that yellow latex) with 8 ounces of water. Work up to ¼ teaspoon of gel per 10 lbs of weight daily to your dog’s food – but go slowly. And don’t give it to pregnant or lactating dogs, as it will pass through mom to the pups and since it loosens the bowels it can cause diarrhea in a nursing puppy.
Yet again, we are turning to Mother Nature for help! Aloe vera can be a helpful natural remedy for dogs, particularly for soothing skin irritations, promoting wound healing, and supporting dry skin. However, it’s essential to use aloe vera safely, avoiding the toxic latex part of the plant and ensuring that your dog doesn’t ingest large amounts of the gel.
