While aloe vera provides a multitude of uses for humans, it can also be used for dogs. The use of the natural substance—orally or topically—aids to a pet’s well-being. While aloe vera is safe in certain forms, you should still learn more about the succulent. Doing so will make it easier to incorporate it in your dog’s care.
You can use aloe vera directly or in the form of a lotion or cream for topical applications. Topical applications often are used for healing burns or infections and soothing a dog’s skin. You can also use the gel or liquid internally to boost your dog’ immune system or for detoxification. Always check with you veterinarian first before you use aloe vera in any form – naturally or commercially. When the gel is used properly, it can greatly enhance your dog’s health and increase its longevity.
When you use products containing aloe vera, they are generally considered innocuous. However, you still have to be aware of some of the warnings. For example, you should never give your furry friend whole leaves from the plants. The leaves hold substances, such as glycosides and saponins – determined to be toxic for domestic dogs and cats.
If you dog eats several leaves, it may suffer appetite loss, depression, diarrhea, vomiting, or urinary changes. In some rare cases, dogs have experienced tremors. Therefore, you don’t want to give you canine too much of a good thing. Using the right part of the aloe vera plant and in the correct form will provide benefits. Usually, pet parents use raw aloe vera gel or liquid produced from extracts.
If you are using aloe vera directly, cut the leaf open. You will see that the clear gel of the plant is surrounded by a yellow liquid. This juice, called latex, should not ever be used. If you apply the gel topically and your dog licks it, it probably will not continue. The bitter taste will deter your pet from use of the product.
When used in dog care, you will find the gel can be used in one of various ways. For example, the anti-fungal properties associated with the gel clear up dermatitis and similar skin conditions. Researchers have found that use of the gel to prevent yeast, as an application, directly applied, stops further growth.
Does you dog suffer from flaky skin, eczema, insect bites, or dry nose? If so, you can apply a layer of the clear greenish gel to the site. If you are not really sure how to work with the plant’s gel, or feel uncomfortable extracting it, you can always purchase a pet-safe product containing aloe vera gel. You can find aloe vera for pets in sprays, liquids, and lotions – all which do not contain the hazardous latex. The products generally work as well as the gel that is derived from the leaf.
You can also give aloe vera to your pet for optimal nutrition. Scoop a teaspoon of gel (taking care to remove any saponin-containing yellow latex first) and combine it with about 1/4 gallon distilled water. You can also dilute the liquid in a beef broth and add it to your pet’s food. Buying the liquid with the saponin-containing latex removed will ensure that your furry friend receives on the nutritional and health-giving part of the plant.
Make sure the gel is clear of any saponin-containing yellow latex. Otherwise, your dog will suffer from digestive upset. The latex can trigger intestinal disturbances, including diarrhea and vomiting. Just make sure you never use the plant to cure any of your dog’s illnesses. Visit the vet first to confirm a diagnosis. Just like prescription medicines, aloe should only be used as directed.
With that being said, you will discover that aloe has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties – all which make aloe vera the ideal substance to use for wound healing and skin care. The gel contains prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation, alleviate allergies, and support healing. Besides prostaglandins, the plant contains acemannan, an immune stimulant and polysaccharide.
Acemannan assists pets heal who suffer from skin infections, allergies, and diseases, such as cancer – ailments that suppress immune system functioning. In fact, acemannan has been endorsed for use for treating fibrosarcoma tumors in dogs and cats.
As indicated, aloe vera can also be applied to eczema, burns, or wounds, and helps in relieving hot spots. To obtain the best results, you should apply the gel twice daily.
When buying aloe vera products, look for products that contain the gel or fillet juice, not whole-leaf substances, which trigger a laxative effect. The product you buy commercially should not contain sweeteners, flavorings, or preservatives. It should be organic and 99% pure. Human-grade aloe vera juice or gel should be used. While the juice will still work, the gel is thicker and therefore easier to apply or use.
Basically, aloe vera is safe for pet use. Just steer clear, again, of the latex, or the yellowish sap-like residue that is found on the leaf’s rind. Saponins lead to digestive upset because of their laxative effect. When buying aloe vera for your dog, keep the following in mind:
- Aloe inner fillet gels and juices that are sold commercially will not contain saponins.
- Don’t’ use aloe vera if your dog is lactating or pregnant, or suffers from kidney or liver disease.
Always consult your vet first before buying and using an aloe vera product.
When you split open the aloe vera leaf, you can spot the saponins easily. They are part of the yellowish or orangish latex – warning signs that the residue should be removed. To obtain optimum health results, you should use only leaves of aloe plants that are three years old or older.
To make the most of using aloe vera, the following list of condition can benefit from the use of the gel. In most instances, topical use is suggested. Below are topical applications.
Sore Ears
If your dog is suffering from yeast growth and sore ears, apply aloe vera, which contains anti-fungal properties. Doing so will prevent the spread of the yeast and reduce sore ear discomfort.
Dry Noses and Cracked Skin on Paws
Use aloe vera on your dog’s paws, when they are dry and cracked. You can also use the gel on the nose when it is dry.
Ringworm
Use aloe vera for ringworm, a fungus. Simply apply the gel to the ringworm circle, and the gel will go to work relieving the itching caused by the fungus.
Dandruff
Dandruff, too, is a fungus that aloe vera can treat. When a dog has dandruff, the fungus settles on the pores of a dog’s skin, where the hair follicles grow. Not only does aloe kill the fungus that causes dandruff, it moisturizes and soothes the dry skin.
Hot Spots
Hot spots can cause a great deal of discomfort for a dog, as they cause a dog to itch and feel discomfort from the heat. You need to apply aloe vera right away, as they can become larger from over-scratching. Also, your dog can spread the infection surrounding the spot with its tongue or paws. The gel of the aloe vera plants will cool the hot spot and support healing.
Infected Sores
A kind of bed sore, infected sores in a dog’s skin folds can lead to a great deal of pain. Apply aloe vera to kill the infection ad cool the skin. Adding aloe vera prevents your dog from itching a sore, and therefore promotes healing.
Burns
Apply aloe vera gel to burns to alleviate pain and promote healing. You can apply the gel to your dog’s paws if it has walked on a too-hot sidewalk. Aloe will cool down the burn and prevent infection.
Applying Aloe Vera
Probably the easiest way to apply aloe vera or use it for a dog’s care is by administering it topically. You don’t need to buy plant. You can use an ointment, cream, or lotion that contains aloe vera. Ask your vet about a product before making a choice.
You will find that aloe vera may be purchased in one of various forms for pet use and care. Below is a listing of types of products.
Aloe Tooth Gel
Use this product to get rid of plaque on your dog’s teeth or fight mouth infections around the gums and the teeth.
Aloe Gel with Propolis
Use this gel to fight cracked or dry skin conditions, especially dry skin on the paws or nose.
Aloe Gel (Jelly)
Use this product to treat smaller skin irritation, such as grazes and cuts.
Aloe Heat Lotion
This formulation of the aloe vera gel penetrates deep into the skin, providing heat relief to a dog’s stiff joints and soothing a dog’s overworked muscles. This product is frequently used on overactive dogs or older working dogs.
Making Your Own Aloe Gel for Skin Care
You can use the follow recipe t treat an itchy skin conditions, caused dry skin, insect bites, or parasites. You will need to add aloe vera with essential oils in the following amounts:
- Aloe vera gel – one ounce
- 2 drops of peppermint oil
- *4 drops of rosemary
Mix the ingredients well before applying to irritations.
*Never use rosemary on epileptic dogs.
Basically, when applied topically, you can use aloe vera to do the following:
- Treat minor burns and wounds
- Soothe teething pain in puppies
- Soothe skin discomfort – such as cracked paw pads or sunburn
- Treat canine acne
- Relieve itchy skin
While aloe vera is frequently used topically for dogs, you can also use it internally to improve your pet’s health or well-being. The listing below highlights how aloe vera may be used internally.
Treating Constipation
Dogs can ingest aloe vera to treat constipation. Give your aloe vera by mixing the liquid with your dog’s dry food or wet food. Give you dog one to three drops of the juice per pound of weight twice daily. For example, a dog weighing 20 pounds should receive 20 to 60 drops of the juice in the morning and evening.
Relieving Inflammation
If your dog suffers from inflammation internally, you can give it aloe vera juice to relieve inflammation, for instance, of the colon or stomach. Use the liquid to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
Immune System Booster
The daily use of aloe vera gel or liquid in a dog’s diet will prevent the onset of illness. Besides gel or liquid, you can also give aloe vera in capsule form.
Detoxifier
You can use the juice of the aloe vera plant to detoxify a dog’s system. For instance, if your dog suffers form food-oriented allergies or has a bacterial infection, you should add aloe vera to your dog’s diet. Not only will the gel cleanse a dog’s system and get rid of unwanted toxins, it
As you can see, you can use aloe vera for one of various uses. While aloe vera is generally used for dogs to combat skin irritations or infections, you can also add the liquid or gel to your dog’s food to relieve digestive upset in the form of inflammation or constitution.
Ask your vet about using the gel daily to boost your dog’s immune system or adding it to your dog’s diet to cleanse and detoxify your dog’s system. Always consult with your veterinarian first before you use aloe vera in any form for your dog’s health.