Most dogs will go through their lives without experiencing elbow calluses. However, many dogs that live in homes with ceramic tiles are likely to experience this. If you’ve noticed that your dog has elbow calluses, and you want to address them, you may have tried a number of products.
Luckily, there are people out there that have already had to deal with this. Thanks to them, we now have some products that we know work wonders, and can point out some that are a waste of money.
Elbow calluses can be unpleasant to deal with, but you can get rid of them with the right supplies. Affordable but effective options to get rid of your dog’s elbow callus include Petroleum jelly and The Blissful Dog Elbow Butter.
Understanding Dog Elbow Callus
What Is An Elbow Callus On A Dog?
Calluses are firm, dry, hairless patches of skin that typically develop on a dog’s elbows and back legs. Colouring can vary from grey to black, and sometimes brown – that depends on the colour of your dog’s skin.
Calluses on dogs are formed the same way they are on humans – repeated contact with hard or rough surfaces. It creates hard skin that often forms into a callus.
If calluses are left untreated, they can often start to crack and bleed, becoming painful. If you have a dog that has calluses that have started to bleed from cracking, you should make an appointment at your vet.
Although they aren’t usually serious, they can be painful for your pet. Not to mention, they could get blood on furniture, which might stain.
You should take your dog to the vet if you are concerned about an elbow callus on your dog.
They will be able to suggest the right course of action to take in helping your dog. In some cases, a vet may need to surgically remove the callus in extreme cases.
An elbow callus forms when the skin on a dog’s elbow hardens due to them lying down on hard surfaces. These typically are not serious as long as they are dealt with. However, they can get painful if they do not resolve in a few months. Take your dog to the vet if the callus looks particularly painful, or if there has been an issue with it.
What Causes Elbow Calluses In Dogs?
Elbow calluses will form if there is skin trauma at a pressure point. This will result in the skin proliferating, and a callus eventually forming.
It can take several weeks to form, depending on the animal’s living conditions.
Some reasons for a dog to form elbow calluses are as follows:
- Spending a lot of time lying or sleeping on hardwood floors or other surfaces
- Spending a lot of time on harder surfaces outside, such as concrete
- A dog’s size and breed (the larger the dog, the more likely they are to experience elbow calluses)
- A dog’s age (older dogs tend to move less, and will therefore form calluses easier than their energetic and mobile counterparts)
- Any mobility issues (a dog with poor mobility won’t move as much as their able-bodies counterparts, and will spend more time lying down, giving them more calluses)
Things like living conditions, sleeping/resting spots, age, size, and the mobility of a dog can all contribute to the formation of elbow calluses. Large dogs are more likely to get them than small dogs, and old dogs are more likely to get them than younger dogs. Make sure they always have a soft spot to rest or sleep to prevent calluses from forming.
Can You Prevent Them?
Since calluses are formed from hard or rough surfaces, you can prevent them by making sure your dogs have soft places to lie. Ensure that your pets have comfortable beds to lie on around the house.
That sounds easier said than done, though! A lot of dogs will choose a nice, cool floor over a cushy bed. This is especially the case if you live in a warm climate, or experience hot summers.
No one wants to be all cosy when it’s 30 °C both inside and outside the house! You would choose to lie down on a cool tile floor, too, and you know it.
Because of this, there might not really be a way to prevent calluses from forming in the warm months. Instead, you just need to stay on top of treatment, so they don’t get out of hand.
You will probably notice that some autumn, those calluses will miraculously disappear because your dog will start using their bed again. So, in the summer, you just need to have the right tools to treat calluses as and when they form – because they will!
You can prevent your dog from getting elbow calluses by ensuring that they have a soft bed to lie in year-round. This can help stop them from lying on hard floors, which cause the calluses to form.
Treating Elbow Callus Of Dogs – Which Products Work?
A lot of brands have obviously noticed that calluses on dogs is an issue. As such, there are probably hundreds of products that claim to get rid of them! This m
A lot of brands have obviously noticed that calluses on dogs is an issue. As such, there are probably hundreds of products that claim to get rid of them!
This means that there’s a lot of choice when you’re trying to decide what to go for, and not all of them are made equal.
Instead of spending hours doing research trying to find which dog elbow callus treatment to get, we’ve done some work for you. There are two options that work exceptionally well, and two that disappoint.
eans that there’s a lot of choice when you’re trying to decide what to go for, and not all of them are made equal.
Instead of spending hours doing research trying to find which dog elbow callus treatment to get, we’ve done some work for you.
There are two options that work exceptionally well, and two that disappoint.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly works well for a dog’s elbow callus. You just apply a generous amount to the affected area, massage it in well, and it will soften!
Make sure you reach all parts of the callus, or else it won’t soften properly. Apply the jelly twice a day for at least a week.
As good as this product is, it will leave your dog’s elbow looking and feeling greasy. This grease can be transferred onto floors and furniture. However, because of the low price, those are small prices to pay.
Side Effects And Risks Of This Treatment Option
Petroleum jelly is perfectly safe for your dog, and will have no health side effects if it gets licked off – which is likely won’t. It’s safe and easy to use, making it a great option.
The Blissful Dog Elbow Butter
The Blissful Dog Elbow Butter takes the cake for working the best. It comes in many forms, and is very easy to use.
With a generous application to your dog’s calluses twice a day for a week, you will start to notice a difference. At that point, you can switch to applying the product once a day.
Be sure to get this elbow butter into all the grooves and layers of the callus to get good results. Since this product is made from natural ingredients that are safe for dogs, you don’t have to worry if your dog licks the area, either!
This product is definitely up there in price, but it works like a charm. If you’re looking for a more affordable option that still does a good job – petroleum jelly!
Side Effects And Risks Of This Treatment Option
There should be no side effects of this treatment option, as it is clinically safe for dogs.
This option should not make your dog want to lick it, so you can avoid the excessive licking, as well as the greasiness that some other products have.
Which Products Are Not Recommended?
Vitamin E
If you have more than one dog, this probably won’t work for you. Why? Dogs are attracted to this and will just lick it off other animal’s elbows!
Not only that, but vitamin E didn’t work as well at softening the calluses, and left a lot of grease everywhere.
Chances are, your dog won’t be able to lick their own elbows, but be aware that others definitely will. Depending on the vitamin E you use, it could also leave a strange residue on your pet’s skin and fur.
Side Effects And Risks Of This Treatment Option
There shouldn’t be any kind of medical side effect from vitamin E oil. However, there is the issue of licking. This oil will attract dogs, and they will lick it off.
Not only that, but this option is greasy, so it is likely to leave dirty streaks wherever your dog goes.
Coconut Oil
Finally, we have good old coconut oil. A lot of people swear by this, but many will disagree.
Like with vitamin E, this stuff attracts dogs, and it will be licked off in moments. It can cause excessive licking in an area (which can cause lick granulomas), and it won’t get the chance to moisturise as it should.
It just smells and tastes too good for dogs to ignore, and it’s way too greasy. Overall, it’s just not a great option.
Side Effects And Risks Of This Treatment Option
There are no medical side effects of this option unless your dog is allergic to coconut oil. While this might work for some dogs, it doesn’t work for all.
The smell and flavor of the oil can lead to excessive licking, which can cause an issue of its own.
One of the biggest problems with this option is that it stains and smells good – so it can get messy, and it’s difficult for any dog to ignore.
Are There Any Alternative Treatments?
The only way you can get rid of a dog’s elbow callus is through treatments like the ones mentioned above. Of course, there are other brands and products to try, but prevention is better than cure in this case.
You could try other products like CDB soothing balms to deal with calluses, too. However,
To prevent your dog from getting elbow calluses, you should:
- Make sure they get enough exercise
- Have soft places to relax and sleep
- Block access to places where you know will cause your dog to get calluses (eg. particular spots in the house in the summer)
- Moisturise any areas that are beginning to look drier than usual, especially in the summer
The best thing to do is prevent the calluses from forming in the first place by providing soft bedding and making sure your dog gets enough exercise. You can use things like CBD soothing oil to help treat dog calluses, too.
Final Thoughts
So, petroleum jelly and the Blissful Dog Elbow Cream are the two best options out there! The first is a lot more affordable, so it’s great on a budget and s
So, petroleum jelly and the Blissful Dog Elbow Cream are the two best options out there!
The first is a lot more affordable, so it’s great on a budget and still works incredibly well. The other is a little more on the pricey side, but really does work wonders for your dog’s elbow callus.
No matter which of the two options you go with, they should work wonderfully as long as you remember to apply it twice a day, and massage it thoroughly. Your dog will thank you for it!
Remember, you should always be ready to take your dog to the vet if they are showing signs of discomfort.
While calluses are not usually problematic, if they are left alone for too long and do not resolve on their own, they can become painful. If you are ever in doubt, give your local vet a call and see what course of action they would recommend.
till works incredibly well. The other is a little more on the pricey side, but really does work wonders for your dog’s elbow callus.
No matter which of the two options you go with, they should work wonderfully as long as you remember to apply it twice a day, and massage it thoroughly. Your dog will thank you for it!
