Lanolin Oil for Pets

Lanolin has been used for thousands of years for its ability to soften and relieve dry, painful, and cracked skin. Lanolin (also known as wool yolk, wool wax, or wool grease) is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin of wool bearing animals.

I grew up on a sheep farm, and I can attest to the oily sheep wool – but my Dad the hard working farmer had the softest hands…?

Lanolin protects sheep wool from the weather and harsh environments. The ability of lanolin to help cleanse the skin and retain its moisture makes it a common component in cosmetics and medical creams.

Lanolin has strong emulsifying properties. This means that lanolin is able to break large fat particles up into smaller ones and distribute them evenly. It also helps with absorption. Lanolin also has soothing, cleansing, and lubricating properties. These make it useful in the medical field as a base for creams and ointments

Dry Skin Studies

The soothing and moisturizing nature of lanolin makes it useful for eczema and other dry skin conditions.

Premature babies do not have an effective skin barrier. In one randomized study of 60 premature infants, the infants received topical lanolin treatment twice daily for 2 weeks. Topical lanolin decreased the amount of water lost through the skin, the severity of dermatitis, and the bacteria on the outer layer of skin.

A second, 4-week study of 173 premature infants compared lanolin use to emollient cream use. The infants undergoing the lanolin treatment showed a bigger decrease in dermatitis symptoms.

Lanolin helps increase new skin growth, which helps heal wounds. In a pig study, topical lanolin applied to skin wounds significantly increased new skin growth.

Benefits FOR Dogs and Cats

1. Dry Skin – especially applying it topically to dry, flaky ares of your dog or cat’s skin

2. Pad Cracks – a great natural option to soften cracked pads

3. Dry, scaling Ear Flaps – consider Lanolin

4. Dogs with elbow calluses from pressure of lying on the floor- topical lanolin

5. Anal fissures, chronic inflammation. Often secondary to an allergy, autoimmune condition. Topical Lanolin would be a great natural option.