Can I Treat Dog Hot Spots With Coconut Oil?

August 15, 2019
dog

using coconut oil to treat a dog hot spotA dog hot spot (AKA acute moist dermatitis) is an open sore that occurs when your dog sustains some kind of damage to the skin, whereupon bacteria proliferate, and the area becomes red, hot, itchy and swollen. Oftentimes the dog himself causes the hot spot when he obsessively scratches, licks, and chews on the skin. If not treated, the area becomes infected, grows in size, and forms pus on the damaged skin surface, creating a crust. Sometimes hair loss results. Hot spots can be very painful for your pet.

Many dog owners can recognize hot spots without having to take their pets to the vet – and they’re looking for something quick and effective they can buy over the counter. One potential agent that has gained some popularity is coconut oil. Let’s take a look at what coconut oil can (and can’t) do for your dog’s hot spot:

Coconut Oil For Canine Hot Spots

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has antibacterial properties. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory usefulness. That’s why some owners see it as a possible home remedy to reduce the itch and swelling of hot spots.

The typical treatment with coconut oil involves spreading the oil on the dog’s hot spot and reapplying as necessary. When it works, the hot spots will usually begin healing within a few days.

The downsides of coconut oil as a home remedy

  1. Elizabethan cone used to prevent hot spot lickingIt tastes good, so your dog will love licking it off. While small amounts of it are not toxic for your dog to ingest (large amounts CAN cause problems), it may require many re-applications and possibly the dreaded cone to prevent your dog from licking it off. Remember, licking the hot spot is one reason it became inflamed in the first place!
  2. It is a great moisturizer, used by many people (and dogs) to keep the skin moist and soft. However, the hot spot is already moist – and most vets contend that the area needs to dry up to heal.
  3. The lauric acid in coconut oil is great for many things – but it is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. It’s possible that it could eliminate the good bacteria that are fighting the bad bacteria that are causing the hot spot.
  4. It’s sticky and oily, so it can get all over your carpets, furniture and possibly into your bedding if your dog sleeps there…as many do!!
  5. In fact, not much research has been done on the effectiveness of coconut oil for pets, and there are no clinical studies that show coconut oil helps in the treatment of hot spots.

What is the best treatment for dog hot spots?

Banixx Pet Care is a popular and effective topical solution that is proven to help remedy dog hot spots, but there is more to a dog hot spot than meets the eye. Along with Banixx treatment, the underlying cause needs to be addressed in order to speed up the healing time and prevent a recurrence. Banixx can be purchased at most pet supply stores and online (here), and offers the following benefits to your suffering pooch:

  • Banixx antiseptic spray has a unique pH level that creates an acidic environment that completely nixes bacterial or fungal growth.
  • It is water-based, so there is no stickiness to get all over your carpet, furniture, etc. as with coconut oil.
  • It has been shown to be very effective at remedying the hot spot – bringing immediate relief.
  • It contains no alcohol or steroids, unlike other products, which are often iodine, alcohol, or tea-tree oil-based. This means it doesn’t sting or burn when being applied.
  • It has no added color or fragrance or taste – so it’s not attractive at all for your dog to lick.
  • It can be applied daily – and you don’t need to worry about over-dosing.
  • Banixx is completely safe for use around the eye (proven by independent clinical testing).

When it comes to dog hot spots, many different products, such as coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, Benadryl and hydrogen peroxide, claim to be great alternatives to veterinarian-provided medications. But only one, Banixx Pet Care, has been proven to work on hot spots gently, quickly, effectively, and without any negative side effects – making it the best treatment for dog hot spots.

Banixx Hot Spot Treatment For Dogs

Banixx is a well-known treatment for dogs that have hotspots. Learn more visit our hot spots page.

We hope you found this article helpful and if your dog ever gets any cuts, abrasions, ear infections or skin infections, we hope you keep Banixx Pet Care in mind. Go to our dog page to learn more about how to keep your dog happy and healthy!

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