Coconut oil has majestic powers that can heal your dog’s skin.
It can also aid in your dog’s shedding problem.
Now, using it topically is easy…
But there’s one question that many seem to ask…
When you use it, do you have to rinse the coconut oil off your dog?
Continue reading to discover:
- If you can leave coconut oil on your dog overnight.
- What can happen if you leave coconut oil on your dog.
- What’s the best coconut oil to use on your dog (and where to buy it).
- And many more…
Table of contents
Do I have to rinse coconut oil off my dog?
You have to rinse coconut oil off your dog. If you don’t, it’ll make your dog greasy, and they become more prone to getting dirty. It can also clog their pores. So, you must rinse it after letting the oil sit for 5 minutes. You can also use shampoo with organic coconut oil for even better results.
What happens if I leave coconut oil on my dog?
If you leave coconut oil on your dog, the grease might make them dirty.
That’s because coconut oil is a substance filled with moisture.
According to research, its moisturizing properties help aid humans with xerosis. It’s a condition where you’ll experience chronic dryness of the skin.
And although focused on humans, vets assure dog parents that it has the same effects on canines.
Coconut oil is also used as a home remedy for a dog’s shedding problem.
However, the amount of moisture it has can be a real culprit in making your dog greasy…
Then, that greasiness makes your dog sticky.
So, if your pooch wanders around with coconut oil in their coat…
Uh-oh…
You can expect dirt to stick to them easily.
Afraid that your dog might try to lick the oil off?
Sometimes, dog parents ask if they need to rinse the oil off because of this:
Some are worried about what will happen if their dog tries to lick the oil off.
What will indeed be the consequence for such?
The answer is…
None!
Let me assure you that coconut oil is edible for dogs.
In fact, vets from PetMD say that giving it to your pooch can help improve their digestion.
That’s why you can add coconut oil to your dog’s food once or twice a day. Here’s exactly how much:
| Size of the dog | Daily coconut oil intake |
| Small | 1/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon daily 0.04 oz (1 mL) to 0.17 oz (5 mL) |
| Large | 1 tablespoon 0.5 oz (15 mL) |
With that, you won’t have to worry about poisoning if they lick it from their coat.
However, this still doesn’t mean that you can leave the oil and not rinse it.
That’s because…
Oiliness might lead to dandruff
In dogs, there’s this condition called seborrheic dermatitis.
According to VCA Hospitals, it’s a skin disorder where the skin produces too much sebum.
What’s that?
It’s just another word for oil.
Now, your dog won’t develop that condition when you don’t rinse off the oil in them. That’s because this condition manifests on its own.
So, I present this disorder as it leads to the same consequence…
Not rinsing your dog after putting coconut oil in them can lead to them getting dandruff.
With that, instead of the oil making their coat and skin healthy…
Oh, no…
The opposite happens, and your dog develops a skin problem.
Moreover, those issues cause your dog to constantly scratch and bite themselves. With that, more harm is done to your canine’s skin.
Continue reading: Does Coconut Oil Really Help With Dog Shedding? The Truth
How long can I leave coconut oil on my dog?
You can leave coconut oil in your dog for no more than 5 minutes.
To elaborate, let’s first go a few steps back…
Let me start by discussing how to apply it to your pooch.
Now, begin by rubbing a reasonable amount, at least a teaspoon, of coconut oil onto your hands.
Then, lightly dab your dog’s coat with oil and run your fingers through their fur.
Once you’ve covered enough area, massage the leftover oil on their skin.
After that, the waiting begins…
And while you do, don’t distress about your pooch trying to lick it off. As I said, coconut oil is edible for dogs.
When the 5-minute mark hits, it’s time to rinse your pooch.
In doing so, you can clean them with just water.
However, if they still feel greasy, following up with a light shampoo won’t be a problem.
Moreover, it’ll be better if the shampoo you use is made with organic coconut oil.
Can I leave coconut oil on my dog overnight?
You can leave coconut oil on your dog overnight, but it’s advised not to. You still must rinse the oil off the next day if you do.
First of all, it’s a good habit to put coconut oil on your dog’s coat.
Now, some dog parents practice leaving it on their dogs overnight.
But let me tell you, doing so is only fine when you rinse it off your pooch the next day.
How so?
Sure, it has many benefits. Overall, coconut oil can promote healthy skin on your pooch…
However, not practicing moderation can take those benefits away.
So, say you let your dog be with coconut oil on their coat. They went to sleep covered in this majestic grease…
Then, you reapply this oil to them before their bedtime. And you keep doing so on a daily basis.
With that, they’re going to be greasy all the time. They’ll stick more dirt to their fur and will stain your furniture.
But most of all, coconut oil might accumulate on your dog’s coat.
That poses the biggest risk here.
How?
Such can get your canine’s pores clogged up with the oil. Moreover, this is highly possible for dogs who have sensitive skin.
Now, when that happens, many harmful skin conditions might follow.
So, avoid leaving coconut oil in your dog overnight. And again, if you do, rinse it immediately in the morning.
How to remove coconut oil from dog fur?
To remove coconut oil from dog fur, you must rinse them.
Water alone can do the job done. And while rinsing them, you can massage your pup’s fur.
If you feel that they’re still too greasy, you can use a small amount of light shampoo.
As I said, for better results, you can use a dog shampoo with organic coconut oil.
Bonus: Where to buy coconut oil for my dog?
You can buy coconut oil for your dog in numerous grocery stores.
In purchasing one, you don’t have to worry about finding something that says ‘for dogs.’
Anything organic and chemical-free will do.
But, do you want the finest one for your canine?
Then, you must purchase virgin coconut oil (VCO) for your dog.
It’s the best kind that you can use.
Why?
That’s because it’s the least processed of all kinds of coconut oil. Then, it’s also the most-studied type…
With that, many benefits of coconut oil are mostly based on VCO.
Its conclusion tells us that VCO is abundant in this substance called antioxidants.
That substance helps to slow or stop the damaging of cells.
Such a property can contribute to your dog’s journey to a fuller coat and healthier skin.
So, here’s a recommendation for a tub or organic virgin coconut oil.