How to choose the right healing cream for dogs? (Tips for finding safe and effective relief)

Alright, let's talk about this dog healing cream thing. My old boy, Buster, he's getting on a bit, you know? And he started getting these really sore-looking patches on his elbows, kinda raw. Took him to the vet, cost a fortune as usual, and they gave me this tiny tube of something that smelled weirdly chemical. Used it for a week, maybe helped a tiny bit? But mostly just made his fur greasy and didn't seem to soothe him much. Plus, I read the ingredients, and honestly, I couldn't pronounce half of 'em. Not keen on slathering that stuff on him constantly.

So, I thought, right, how hard can it be? People have been looking after animals for ages before fancy chemicals came along. My grandma used to have all sorts of home remedies. Decided I'd try making something myself. Didn't want anything complicated, just simple stuff I knew was safe for dogs if they licked it, 'cause you know they will.

What I Did

First, I dug around the kitchen. Found that big tub of coconut oil I bought ages ago and barely used. Read somewhere it's good for skin. Then I remembered I had some shea butter left over from some skin thing I tried myself. That stuff's supposed to be really moisturizing.

So, here's the process, pretty basic really:

• Got a small saucepan, put a little water in it.
• Put a glass jar inside the saucepan – like a makeshift double boiler, you know? Didn't want to burn the oils.
• Scooped a good chunk of coconut oil into the jar. Maybe half a cup? Didn't measure exactly.
• Added a smaller chunk of the shea butter.
• Just heated it gently, stirring now and then with a clean spoon, until it was all melted and mixed together. Took maybe ten minutes. It smelled kinda nice, actually, just faintly of coconut.
• Carefully took the jar out – used oven mitts!
• Let it cool down on the counter. As it cooled, I stirred it every so often. It started getting thicker, kinda creamy.

Once it was totally cool, it was like a soft balm. Not too hard, not too greasy. I put it in a little clean tub I had saved.

Trying it on Buster

Okay, the moment of truth. Called Buster over. Showed him the tub. He sniffed it, seemed interested. Gently rubbed a little bit onto one of his sore elbows. He flinched a tiny bit at first, 'cause it was sore, poor fella. But then he just stood there. Didn't try to lick it off immediately, which was a good sign. The cream soaked in pretty well, didn't leave a huge greasy mess.

I started putting it on his elbows twice a day, morning and night. Just a thin layer, massaged in gently. After maybe three days, I swear the redness started to go down. The skin didn't look as angry. He wasn't scratching or licking at them as much either. A week later, big difference. The patches were definitely healing up, looking much healthier.

Honestly, felt pretty good. Made it myself, knew exactly what was in it (just two things!), and it actually worked better than the expensive vet stuff. Plus, the tub I made will last ages. Sometimes, keeping it simple is the way to go, you know? Saved some money and Buster seems much happier. Worth a try, I reckon, if your dog's got minor skin stuff. Just basic, natural ingredients. Worked for us, anyway.