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I noticed a bare skin patch on Gravy's elbow; it was rough and hard to the touch.
As a loving pet parent, I feared this could spread or become infected. I certainly didn't want him to suffer.
I called a veterinarian friend to see if they knew what it was. After sending a picture, they informed me it was likely a dog elbow callus.
What Is A Dog elbow Callus?
It is a skin condition when one or several spots on the skin get thicker, hairs in that area often fall out, and the skin surface becomes rough.
Like Gravy, almost 20% of all dogs will suffer from calluses on their elbows at some point.
While they are usually not painful or dangerous, they can be itchy and uncomfortable to some dogs, not to mention unattractive.
In some cases, if elbow calluses are left untreated, they can crack and bleed, becoming sores that can get infected.
Dog Elbow Callus Infection
A dog elbow callus infection is not likely, but it is possible. If the skin has become so dry and crusty that it starts to bleed, it can become a breeding ground for infection.
Often, dogs will lick a wound, which can worsen their condition. If your dog's skin is bleeding or red and inflamed, it's best not to apply anything to it and take them to the vet.
Gravy's elbow wasn't infected, so I continued searching to find out why this happened and what I could do to treat it.
What Causes Them?
Gravy loved to burrow underneath a bench in our backyard; he would crawl with his elbows on the hard stone to get there.
After doing this many times, his body formed calluses to protect the bones in his elbows from being damaged. Think of them as nature's elbow pads.
While they were on his elbows, it's also possible for them to appear on the hocks, hips, sternum, and legs.
Are Some Breeds More Likely To Get Them?
Elbow calluses can affect all dogs. However, large breeds are more likely to suffer from this condition because their increased weight puts more pressure on the elbow.
Dogs with short coats are also more likely to develop calluses as they have less cushioning on their bony parts.
Be extra vigilant if your dog is large and short-haired like my boy.
Home Remedies For A Dog Elbow Callus
Here are some home remedies you can try if your dog is experiencing or you want to prevent dog elbow callus.
- Soft Bedding – Many dogs seek the coldest spot to sleep, so you will usually find them lying on tiles, hardwood floors, or under benches. Encourage your pup to sleep on that cozy, soft bed you bought him by making it an attractive place to be. While lying there, give him lots of praise and rewards, such as toys or treats.
- If your dog likes to lay outside during hot weather, consider buying an elevated bed or cooling pad.
- Exercise – This one might seem obvious, but it's often overlooked. Elbow calluses often occur because your dog is lying down. If they're exercising, they can be lying down. It's best to keep them as active as possible.
- Remove access to problem areas – As mentioned previously, Gravy loves to sleep under a bench in our backyard that happens to be on the stone. I blocked this off to limit the damage he could do while I was at work.
What To Put On A Dog Elbow Callus?
After making changes to Gravy's home to try and stop the callus from re-occurring, it was time to see what I could do about it.
I'd already helped my arthritic dog Biscuit with our CBD oil. Could this possibly work for Gravy's skin issues, too?
It turns out that, yes, CBD can interact with receptors in a dog's skin. Maybe I could make a more effective product for dog elbow calluses. I wanted to use only human-grade organic ingredients and ensure they would be safe for dogs even if eaten.
After talking to several vets and chemists and many failed attempts, I had something.
I specially formulated a blend of dog-safe essential oils with multiple benefits for dogs. I also made the first dog topical in tube form so that it could be applied to cracked elbows without creating a mess.
It was time for testing, human testing. Thankfully, no humans were harmed, so it was Gravy's turn.
I twisted up the tube and covered his callus in the balm, massaging it into the layers of the callus.
I continued to apply it three times a day for the next two weeks.
The CBD Soothing Balm was the extra boost his skin needed to regain a healthy balance. It turned out that CBD was the missing link for Gravy's skin recovery.
I decided to share this product with other pet parents a few months later.
Since then, Gravy and I have helped thousands of dogs with dry and damaged skin. Moreover, we guarantee the product, so if you're unhappy, you don't pay a cent.
