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Weed 'em & Reap

Urban Farming. Healthy Living.

Homemade Animal Salve

Published: March 22, 2014 | Last Updated: February 20, 2021 43 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission.

body cream and plant on wooden tableI have discovered a natural salve for your animals & pets!

If you have animals, you know they are going to get hurt. I don’t know about your animals, but mine always seem to get themselves in situations where instant care is needed. As much as I love my animals, I can’t afford to run to the vet for every single problem, so I like to turn to this natural salve instead.

This recipe is so versatile! It can be used for just about anything that has to do with the skin of your animals. It’s safe to use on all pets and can even be licked off and eaten without side effects. (though I wouldn’t recommend feeding it to your animals:) This is great to help your animal’s skin become healthy & strong. The essential oils in this blend help support healthy skin.

Now, that’s pretty cool.

I like to use a combination of traditional oils/fats, beeswax, & herbal essential oils to create my homemade animal salve. The oils help the skin stay hydrated, while the herbal essential oils have medicinal properties to help relieve the symptoms.

The reason why I add herbal essential oils to my recipe is because essential oils are so much more powerful than the herbs themselves! In this recipe I use Lavender essential oil, which is known for helping with occasional skin irritations. Melaleuca essential oil (tea tree oil) is great for supporting a healthy immune system.  Peppermint essential oil is great for circulation.

A Word about Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca):

I often get comments about tea tree oil being toxic to dogs. Tea tree oil has phenolic compounds that can be hard for a dog’s body to process, but only in high doses. The oral toxic dose of phenol in dogs is about 0.22 grams per pound of body weight. 0.22 grams is about 4 drops of tea tree oil. This would mean that a 1 pound dog would have toxicity symptoms if you applied 4 drops of tea tree oil.

However, most dogs are around 10-20 lbs. To hit toxic levels of phenols, you would have to apply 40 drops of tea tree oil to a 10 lb. dog at one time. This would be the same as if a 150 pound human applied 600 drops of tea tree oil to their body at one time. OF COURSE, this would be ridiculous and toxic. ANYBODY given a high amount of phenolic compounds would develop toxicity issues. 

When applying essential oils, you need a good dose of common sense. As long as you understand that applying 1-3 drops at a time, and diluting for children & pets is the best practice, you’ll be good!

NOTE: The phenolic toxcity level in cats is unknown, but we do know that cats are more sensitive than dogs. It’s advised to avoid Melaleuca in cats, unless there is a severe injury or illness.

Homemade Animal Salve:

Yields 1 cup

Adapted from the Paleo Mama’s All Purpose Salve

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup of Coconut Oil – click here to buy
  • 1/2 cup of Olive Oil – click here to buy
  • 1/4 Cup of Beeswax – click here to buy 
  • 15 drops of Melaleuca essential oil – MELALEUCA OIL   ADD TO CART (free shipping) (NOTE: For a cat, you’ll need to leave out the Melaleuca essential oil as it’s toxic to them)
  • 15 drops of Lavender essential oil – LAVENDER OIL   ADD TO CART (free shipping)
  • 10 drops of Peppermint essential oil – PEPPERMINT OIL   ADD TO CART (free shipping)

Directions:

  1. Melt the coconut oil, olive oil, & beeswax in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Remove from heat and let cool for about 15 minutes. 
  3. Add the essential oils and stir until well incorporated.
  4. Pour into a into a plastic storage jar or a mason glass jar. 

Note: This can be stored for up to a year at room temperature.

Are you ready to treat your animals naturally with my Homemade Salve?

 

 

 body cream and plant on wooden table

 

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ABOUT DANELLE

DaNelle started to take an interest in a healthier lifestyle after suffering from two debilitating chronic diseases. On a mission to create a farm of her own, DaNelle forced, or rather 'lovingly persuaded' her husband to purchase a ranch home on an acre of land and transform it into their very own urban farm. DaNelle blogs at Weed 'em & Reap where she writes about the sustainable backyard farming, traditional food, & natural remedies.

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Comments

  1. fghjkjhghj fghbjnkmjhvghbjn says

    August 31, 2021 at 8:00 am

    About how much does this cost you to make?

    Reply
    • Bobbi says

      September 1, 2021 at 1:54 pm

      Hello-

      It would cost around $13 depending on the products and brands you use.

      Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply
  2. Sommer says

    January 16, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    Wont the kids get this all full of dirt and debris since it’s tacky? A farmer here insists on my using aluminum wound spray ? Thats a big nope from me. But I’m unsure what other alternatives are out there that would keep the wound free of dirt and stuff.

    Reply
    • Bobbi says

      January 17, 2021 at 9:41 am

      Hi Sommer-

      Yes dirt etc. will stick to it but it will be kept out of the wound.
      If you don’t want to use the salve or the spray you can put iodine on it and clean it frequently to remove dirt and debris and/or cover it with a wrap or bandage/gauze.

      Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply
  3. Kim says

    December 31, 2020 at 7:38 am

    Hi! This looks awesome. Can it be used on horses?

    Reply
    • Bobbi says

      January 1, 2021 at 10:06 am

      Hi Kim-

      Yes, you can use it on horses, but I would suggest to leave out the Melaleuca oil as I have read some reports that is can be harmful to horses. Also, do not apply to the nose area.

      Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply
  4. Yvette Iron says

    September 9, 2020 at 2:27 pm

    I have a redbone coonhound who was attacked by 4 huge Heinz 57 dogs/ husky/shepherds. There are 3 bites on him and slightly bleeding, one on hind leg upper muscle about 4cm, one on foreleg muscle about 2cm and one smaller one about 1cm gash on his back. Should I put straight essential oils or wait to make the salve?

    Reply
    • Bobbi says

      September 9, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      Hi Yvette-

      You can put the salve on your dog, but with those types of injuries, he needs to see a vet immediately for possible stitches and maybe a round of antibiotics since there are bites from multiple dogs.
      And it is usually not a good idea to put EO’s directly on the skin, etc. as this can burn. They usually need a carrier oil.

      Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply
  5. Wendi says

    April 27, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    Found this on Friday and used it on our injured duckling! THANK YOU. We do believe bringing her inside and using this salve saved her life. She’s still injured but it looks so much better.

    Reply
  6. Rustine says

    May 29, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    How often can this be used?

    Reply
    • Bobbi says

      May 29, 2018 at 8:35 pm

      Hi Rustine-
      Applying the salve 2-3 times a day for a few days should be sufficient. Just watch for any sensitivity your animal may develop. I hope that helps.
      Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply
  7. Tara J says

    March 26, 2018 at 6:45 am

    Hi Danielle! Would you recommend using this salve for disbudded wounds on baby goats? I disbudded 3 weeks ago and the scabs are starting to fall off so I am trying to find something to speed up the healing (goats are 4 weeks old).

    Reply
    • Bobbi says

      March 26, 2018 at 7:13 am

      Hi Tara-
      Yes, this salve would be great for that! Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply
  8. Natasha says

    August 5, 2017 at 3:26 am

    Hi
    This is information regarding the Animal Salve. It isn’t for cats or kittens as they are Highly Allergic to Lavender – so no they can’t use it, not even on there paws or as a room spray for your home if you have a feline friend.

    Reply
    • Kathy Chiavola says

      March 14, 2018 at 5:38 pm

      I would defer to Dr. Melissa Shelton, DVM, author of the Essential Oils Desk Reference for Animals who only recommended Young Living Oils at the time she wrote it. She could not guarantee any other oils which may be diluted or polluted with toxic ingredients. Now Dr. Shelton has her own line of Essential Oils https://www.animaleo.info/ and her new book will be released soon.

      Reply
  9. Shelley says

    June 13, 2016 at 6:41 am

    My poor little goat had to be dehorned for the second time. First one wasn’t done by us so not sure what they did wrong. We brought him in to vet and she tried again but wasn’t positive it would take. He is the best little guy so I am making this to hopefully help everything heal well. Any other suggestions would be great! Could I use raw Shea butter to replace beeswax or olive oil? Thanks

    Reply
    • Jean says

      January 9, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      Don’t know if you ever found an answer to your question.
      You could possibly substitute the Shea butter for the Olive oil.
      The Beeswax is a must due to the fact of how it firms up the Salve a little. Which is something I had learned.
      Hopefully this is helpful. I’m am new to the channel and watching and reading as much as possible to better myself.

      Reply
  10. Abigail says

    March 8, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    My goat has fleas. Can you recommend anything to get rid of them? She also has dry, flaky skin. Is this because of the fleas?

    Reply
    • DaNelle Wolford says

      March 12, 2016 at 10:17 pm

      Hi Abigail,

      Yes, that’s the reason for the flaky skin. I would suggest treating her with some herbal remedies from Fir Meadows along with an overall boost in her mineral supplementation. Hopefully you can get on top of it!

      Reply
  11. Ariel says

    December 31, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    It was suggested I try a wound salve for my finger tips. The winters in my area is very cold and very dry so I get those little but extremely painful splits on my fingers (usually my thumbs). I’m going to go whip some up right now. Can’t wait to see how it works!

    Reply
  12. Vivienne says

    December 23, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    l would like to know if l can use this on an injured chook. Is the balm “runny” or is it very thick? l’m just thinking that if it’s thick, it’s going to hurt the chook more rubbing it in.

    Reply
    • DaNelle Wolford says

      January 1, 2016 at 4:40 pm

      Hi Vivienne,

      It’s very thin so it should work great:)

      Reply
      • Lilia says

        July 24, 2016 at 3:18 am

        Hi I’m making it cause I have a animal shelter and I’m only 11 but it works I left one oil out so don’t put it on cats by mistake but it really works and I also use honey thx

      • DaNelle Wolford says

        July 24, 2016 at 9:22 am

        Great idea, Lilia! Yes, cats don’t do well with Melaleuca.

  13. Jane says

    December 10, 2015 at 10:56 am

    I’m just getting into essential oils and reading up on their potential uses. I made this today because a friend has a dog with horrible grass allergies. In the spring and summer he’s covered with a rash on his tummy that makes him miserable and he’s constantly scratching, licking, etc. I made this for her and kept a little for myself. There is no reason I can’t use this because I know what’s in it! Thanks so much. I hope this works for Ziggy.

    Reply
  14. Meagan says

    July 21, 2015 at 11:21 am

    Will this work as a hoove salve, to keep them from drying out?

    Reply
    • DaNelle Wolford says

      July 26, 2015 at 5:50 pm

      Hi Meagan,

      Yes, that would work just fine, but I’d also recommend getting a good mineral supplement as well.

      Reply
  15. Michelle says

    July 16, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    Just wanted to say that I made this salve this evening and have some on my sun burned arm now…lol
    I have a 9 year old Shepard and she’s lick her skin so much that it started with a little hair missing to almost 2 inches long, all hair gone and her back leg has this spot where it would not heal due to her licking it, so after a visit to the vet, 3 weeks of antibiotics and going into 5 weeks of her wearing this cone on her head, i made this salve this evening, put it on her leg and i am anxiously awaiting the healing process. If I don’t put the cone on immediately after the poor baby eats, she licks the wound open again, so I watch her closely and i thought…. she must feel it itching after it start healing, so i’m hoping this salve will heal it quicker while receiving the itching….. stay tuned for more details of how this works. I think it smells good and I’m glad it’s non toxic to dogs. tomorrow i’m going to put onto my maltese, he’s got some hot spots that I think this will do wonders for.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 19, 2015 at 3:44 pm

      Hi Michelle, I was curious to hear how the salve worked on your dog Shepard?
      Thanks,
      Kathy

      Reply
  16. Sarah McRoberts says

    April 10, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    I found this healing salve makes a great lip balm for damaged lips as well! I slather it on at night when my lips tend to dry out and crack and it keeps them moist throughout the night. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Jan Lester says

    October 15, 2014 at 5:57 am

    Thanks for this helpful info/

    Reply
  18. Tatyana says

    March 29, 2014 at 8:16 am

    I’m adding the missing ingredients to my shopping list. We have 4 dogs and a bunch of rabbits; this salve will be great to treat their cuts, etc.

    Reply
  19. Christina says

    March 27, 2014 at 11:46 am

    Cats lack the enzyme to break down hydrocarbons. It accumulates in the liver and brain, often causing death when exposed repeatedly. There is also significant damage done to the lungs of cats when they breathe the vaporized oils, and they still can’t metabolize them.

    All essential oils are hydrocarbon. If the company says it’s safe for cats or they don’t use hydrocarbons, they are not selling essential oils. Young Living often tells people their products are safe, but it is a lie and there is a lawsuit for false advertising against them for it.

    This recipe is toxic to cats.

    Reply
    • Melinda says

      January 31, 2016 at 4:45 pm

      Honey is also a good healing “ointment”,and I have used it on my (very dumb at times) cat without any side effects. I always make sure to use raw honey, anything that is processed to much usually starts to lose some of the properties that make it good for you.

      Reply
  20. Joanne says

    March 24, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    do you know of a good natural recipe for an eye infection. My persian cat is prone to them

    Reply
    • DaNelle Wolford says

      March 30, 2014 at 6:31 pm

      I don’t, I’m sorry!

      Reply
    • Erin says

      April 3, 2014 at 6:08 am

      Joanne, if you’re on FB, find the page Earth Essential Animals & Pets. They might be able to help or have tips for your cats issue.

      Reply
    • Johanna says

      December 22, 2014 at 11:14 pm

      If any of the farm animals here get pink-eye (conjunctivitis), I use fresh raw goats milk (cows milk is supposed to work too, but I have no first hand experience with it). A couple drops in the affected eye(s) twice a day clears it up in about a week, or less. An old farmer passed this tip on to me and I thought he was nuts until I tried it. Something about a certain good bacteria in the milk that kills the pink-eye…or so I’ve been told. I’ve also used it on myself and have success each time. If your husband or kids see you doing this, they’ll think you’ve lost your marbles 😀

      Reply
  21. Lisa Hickson says

    March 23, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    I have a boxer mix and she is almost nine years old. She has had increasingly worse skin problems for the past five years. We have tried special diets, special shampoos, allergy meds and steroids. Nothing helps for long. Now, she has damaged skin due to excessive itching, scratching and biting which has turned her skin black in several places. Can this salve be helpful for this? The vet has told us that the skin damage is permanent.

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      March 23, 2014 at 5:12 pm

      Lisa, have the vet test your boxer for low thyroid. Even low normal can cause skin issues, and it’s relatively easy to fix cheaply.

      Reply
    • DaNelle Wolford says

      March 30, 2014 at 6:35 pm

      For skin problems, I’ve heard that an omega 3 everyday helps!

      Reply
  22. Cindy Freeman says

    March 23, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    I have heard/read the same thing about cats.

    Reply
  23. Heather says

    March 23, 2014 at 9:44 am

    This looks great! I will definitely try this out on the goat in future. I would suggest adding a disclaimer for those with cats, though: If I’m not mistaken, cats lack the enzyme necessary to break down essential oils, and prolonged exposure to them can be toxic. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply

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I'm DaNelle. I'm a city girl who convinced her husband to buy goats. Because, goats. Growing my own food has been an amazing experience, and this is the place I share it all with you! READ MORE…

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