Is vaseline good to put on dog dry skin?

Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to your pet’s paws to restore moisture. Rub the jelly in thoroughly to avoid greasy spots throughout your home. Moisturize Dry Paws by using this method. Irritated, itchy or inflamed skin is just as uncomfortable for your pets as it is for you. Although you can complain about the problem, the only way your pets can let you know that they are suffering is by licking or scratching their fur.

Vaseline is a brand of petroleum jelly that can be used to seal in moisture and relieve dry skin. It has been used as part of many people’s skincare regimens for more than 140 years. While it is a pretty common and widely used product for humans, it should be used with caution on your dog. Technically no, vaseline is not toxic to your dog. It is also usually not the best choice as your dog can lick it off their skin or paws. If your pup ingests enough they might get an upset stomach, which can lead to vomiting or diarrhea if they ingest enough. While vaseline might feel soothing, there is no scientific evidence that it works. So, while in small quantities vaseline won’t hurt your dog, it’s probably not your best bet in any situation. Petroleum jelly provides an occlusive barrier that will seal in moisture already in the skin, but adds no moisture and does not allow moisture or oxygen to be absorbed from the atmosphere, essentially making skin drier over time. If you need a natural moisturizer that is safer for your pup try coconut oil. Musher’s Secret is a popular paw protectant. It is made from beeswaxes and vegetable oils. 4Legger has a healing balm for noses, paws and dry skin that is USDA certified organic. You could also try a medicated shampoo if your pet has some dry, itchy skin. Products like Dermabenss or Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo can work wonders on a dog with dry itchy skin.

Vaseline is not toxic to dogs, so yes, you can use it on or around your pets. However, Vaseline forms a moisture-sealing barrier that can actually dry out the skin and trap unwanted toxins, dirt, and bacteria. Vaseline might be OK in a pinch, but there are better products out there, like a dog paw balm or nose balm, which can help soothe your pup’s dry, cracked skin. Vaseline may seem like a good option to moisturize your dog’s dry skin, protect patches of itchy skin, or cover up dry patches on your dog’s ears. However, Vaseline is not the best choice in any of these circumstances. Rather than using Vaseline, ask your vet about a medicated shampoo, which will help treat the cause of your pup’s skin issue and provide them with relief. Dry, itchy skin can be very frustrating for both dogs and their owners and is incredibly common, and if itching is severe or accompanied by other signs, it’s important to see a vet to determine the underlying cause and best treatment options.

While Vaseline is a barrier agent that can protect skin, in dogs, it can also trap bacteria and other debris against the skin, potentially leading to infections or worsening existing conditions. The main concern is ingestion. Dogs are likely to lick areas where Vaseline is applied, leading to potential digestion of this petroleum product. Ingesting Vaseline can cause upset stomachs or diarrhea in dogs. Although not toxic, Vaseline is not meant for internal use and can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption. If you’re looking to address your dog’s skin issues or protect their paws, consider safer alternatives specifically formulated for pets. There are many products on the market designed to safely help with dry or cracked paws and skin issues in dogs. These products are made with ingredients that are safe for dogs, even if ingested in small amounts. While Vaseline is a handy product for humans, its use on dogs is not recommended due to the potential risks of ingestion and skin complications.

We use it on our dog's paws for winter hiking since he hates booties and just pulls them off. After we go hiking, he sometimes licks his paws when coming home, mostly to remove any ice that built up even though there was vaseline. Maybe most of the vaseline is already rubbed off/gone after several hours of hiking anyways? Is it safe if he digests a small amount once a week? Advice on this forum is not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional.

It's not recommended to use Vaseline on dogs with dry, itchy, or irritated skin, not only because it causes digestive upset but also because it's not going to be effective. Vaseline can protect and moisturize skin on humans when left alone and used repeatedly, but the reality is that dogs will lick it off and you won't be able to apply enough, for long enough, for the Vaseline to have a meaningful benefit to your dog's skin. Dogs will not be poisoned if they lick Vaseline, or even if they get into a tub of it and lick excessive amounts. If they don't throw up, they'll probably have diarrhea for a while. In many cases, your dog will vomit and have diarrhea. This can be dangerous to dogs with extremely sensitive stomachs or other health issues that could be exacerbated by excessive digestive upset. Unfortunately, Vaseline is not the right choice for your dog's troubled spots of skin. Instead, look for a topical balm that's made for dogs. Dogs with dry, cracked, or itchy skin can benefit significantly from pet-safe balms with ingredients like shea butter, vitamin-e, and hemp extract. Balms and ointments formulated for dogs are safe to lick and ingest, and they're more likely to provide a protective barrier around your dog's difficult skin spots.