Caring for our Family Pet’s Winter Skin

by Sheilagh Cruickshank



* The Orange Essential oil, and the Rosemary and Sage herbs are all natural flea repellants, sending many of the fleas away before they can bite or lay eggs.

* Parsley and Nettle are diuretic herbs that help to reduce inflammation. It cleanses the blood in the capillary circulation areas and helps clear toxins from the skin systemically. Their antihistamine properties help to relieve the itching and bruising from any flea bites. Nettle also helps with hair follicle health and with the regrowth of hair from chewing and biting the irritated areas.Baby, its cold outside!

Here in the North East we are experiencing what we locals like to call “a cold snap”. Temps in the teens to low 20’s have been driven to minus degrees due to wind chills.  Meteorologists have stated that when it gets this unbearable, there is only a negligible amount of moisture in the air, causing everything from flyaway hair, sudden shocks of static electricity and dry, cracked skin. My husband, daughter and I are pouring on the moisturizer to combat itchy, scaly, red hands and dry, flaky faces! Between the dry outside air and the forced indoor heat, it becomes a very uncomfortable situation!

As I sit writing with my hot tea and wool blanket, my thoughts are turning to our beloved four- legged companions, who are also experiencing the effects of the cold dry climate. You may notice that Fido is scratching more, and you see dry skin flakes on his coat. Fifi may be biting irritated dry patches, and her soft fur is getting tangled and matted from static cling. Even my poor cat is itchy, flaky and jumps a mile from all the electric shocks she gets when petted!

So what can we do to help our animal friends when they are suffering as much as we are? Here are some ideas: 

Omega 3 fatty acids

One of the ways is to increase the amount of omega 3 fatty acids in the diets of both cats and dogs. Your veterinarian can help you to do this safely. These fatty acids help keep their skin healthy and their coats shiny, working from the inside.

Humidifier

Consider a humidifier. This will help the entire household. Not only does having the right moisture level in the home help to prevent illness (dry cracked mucus membranes are more susceptible to viruses) It will help keep your pet’s skin and coats a little more hydrated, and you will benefit, too! When looking for a humidifier, investigate warm mist 99.9% germ free types. When the water is boiled prior to being blown into the air, it removes much of the impurities you’d rather not breathe in.

Brushing

Brushing often removes loose hair and dry flakes, while distributing the natural oils in an animal’s coat that will protect their skin and combat dryness. Brushing will also help mats from forming, which can complicate dry skin problems.

Bathing

For dogs, this can be a great way to help control dry skin and coat. While some vets advise less bathing, others suggest more. I would talk to your vet to get guidelines for your specific dog and their needs. When you do bathe your hound, make sure to use gentle cleansers without added chemicals, perfumes, colors or ingredients that will further dehydrate their fur, hair and skin.

When looking for the perfect product for your pup you need go no further! Magic Moon Soapworks is unveiling one of their newest products, the Doggie Bath Bar! This non-toxic, all natural goat’s milk bar is full of beneficial oils for skin & coat, anti-inflammatory herbs for dry itchy skin and gentle essential oils that mildly repel fleas and smell great! Let’s check it out!

Goat’s Milk   Goat’s milk provides nutrients that help relieve irritated, itchy dry skin. Goat’s milk contains essential proteins, amino acids and vitamin A that nourish skin. Rich in beta-hydroxyl, Lactic and alpha hydroxyl acids it acts as a natural skin conditioner, gentle cleanser, skin softener, exfoliant and stimulates cell renewal.

Water   Purified water

Pure Water is so under-rated but without - we are mere dust.  In order to maintain healthy skin/coat as well as when we make our soap, water is an essential ingredient!




Saponified Carrier Oils Of:

Olea Europaea (Olive oil)   Olive oil prevents the loss of your skin’s natural moisture, softens skin, and attracts external moisture to your skin while still allowing for proper release of sweat, sebum and shedding of dead skin. 

Elaeis Guineensis (Palm oil)  Palm is a mild but effective cleanser. It is superior to other vegetable oils to keep a soap bard hard, and is used in many expensive, luxury body products.

Sodium Cocoate (Coconut oil)  Coconut oil is exceptional oil for dry, itchy or sensitive skin. It will not clog pores and absorbs readily into the skin while maintaining a longer shelf life creating fluffy lather.


Helianthus Annus (Sunflower oil)  Using sunflower oil is a healthy natural way to heal skin and maintain its health. Its calming and emollient properties have been known for years. Sunflower has many medicinal and cosmetic uses and may be helpful if you are suffering from eczema, acne, inflammation, general redness and irritation of the skin.

Ricinus Communis (Castor Seed Oil)  Castor oil is considered a super fat. One of its great qualities is that is attracts and hold moisture in the skin. This makes it very good for dry skin conditions, including eczema. Castor oil contains Undecylenic Acid which, due to its germicidal and disinfectant properties, is useful in treating skin issues that may have a bacterial or fungal cause. It is also a very effective topical anti inflammatory.

Ground Herbs of:

Leafy Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)   Most folks don’t think about using parsley on the skin, but it has had a long history of topical use. Parsley has a soothing effect on the skin and is also toning. Parsley has been a folk remedy to treat the itching and inflammation of bruises, stings and bites, including flea bites.

 

White Sage (Salvia apiana)   Sage is anti-infective, anti-microbial and anti-viral. Due to its rosmarinic properties (that it shares with Rosemary) it is an anti-oxidant. This makes it a wonderful therapeutic herb for the skin, especially irritated skin. Sage is helpful with eczema, psoriasis, dandruff as well as bites and stings. It is a common ingredient in many natural flea repellant formulas. Recently, researchers at the University of Maryland found evidence that Sage may be promote new hair growth.

 

Tuscan Rosemary (Rosemarinus officianlis)   Rosemary is a long standing herb for hair and skin. Besides its wonderful aroma, it is an anti-fungal, anti-septic, astringent (mildly) and toning. Use to help rid odors, add shine to coats and hair, and eliminate dandruff. Rosemary has also been used in treating inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. It helps in the healing of wounds and is a natural insect repellent. It has also been a long standing folk remedy for baldness.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)   Nettle is an herb for universal skin care; it works on dry and oily skin. It is an anti-inflammatory as well as an astringent; it can improve skin firmness as well as treating dandruff. Nettle has also been used for minor cuts and abrasions. Used as a cleanser, it cleans deeply without stripping the natural oils from hair or skin.

Certified Organic Sweet Orange Essential Oil   Orange essential oil hails from Spain, Sicily, Israel, and the US.  The essential oil is cold pressed from the skin of the orange. The properties of orange oil are anti-fungal and a mildly astringent. It works well with inflamed problem skin. However, that is not its only benefit. The smell is very uplifting, and has been known to have a mild anti depressant quality as well as calming anxiety and nervous tension. Researchers have confirmed its effect on improving mood. Sounds like a good remedy for both owner and dog during bath time!

 
The Doggie Bath Bar is available from the Magic Moon SoapWorks website https://MagicMoonSoap.com , as well as many lovely shops in the Salem, MA area and beyond.

I hope you have enjoyed this segment of the Magic Moon SoapWorks blog! Until next time, stay warm and be good to your animal companions!

Blessings,  Sheilagh