Castor oil is made from the castor bean. While the beans are toxic, their oil has wonderful medicinal uses in people and their pets. Castor oil is a popular remedy for tumors, cysts, and cataracts in pets.
While adults can use castor oil internally in modest amounts, it is not commonly used in pets. Castor oil has a laxative effect. However, there are other natural remedies that are more suited for constipation in pets.
Castor oil is used topically on tumors, growths, and cysts in dogs and cats. The oil is massaged into the area of concern twice daily. A castor oil pack is an option, though it may be difficult to implement for most pets. With a castor oil pack, castor oil is applied to several layers of cloth, which are then placed at the site of concern, covered with plastic wrap, and then a heating pad is used for an hour or more at a time.
Castor oil should be used with caution and care for tumors. It can make tumors swell initially. Sometimes, tumors will open and drain. Aside from the concern of the mess this may make, if blood is lost in the process this can cause anemia in a pet. Excessive blood loss can cause death.
If a tumor does open up, the wound should be cleaned. Turmeric and/or honey can help stop bleeding and prevent infection.
Castor oil is also messy, so precautions for furniture and carpets may be prudent.
Older cats and dogs can develop cataracts in the eyes. Typically, eyes will have a cloudy appearance. To treat cataracts with castor oil, use an eyedropper and apply 1 drop of castor oil into each eye once or twice daily. It can take several months to see the desired results.
Castor oil is used to promote hair growth. Depending on the cause of fur loss, it may encourage the growth of fur in pets.
Castor oil is a rich oil. Massaging castor oil into dry skin areas can be soothing and promote healing.
Castor oil can be used to moisturize the dry nose of a dog.
Castor oil, massaged gently into painful joints, can provide pain relief. This is ideally only part of an overall treatment plan for arthritis in dogs.
Castor Oil Cautions
While the castor plant is poisonous, the extracted oil is not. However, if a dog or cat licks a significant amount of castor oil from the skin, it could have a laxative effect. If large amounts of castor oil are used topically on pets, the oil absorbs into the body and, theoretically, could cause loose stools.
Castor oil is a wonderful remedy for the owners of pets as well!
Have you used castor oil to treat your pet in some way? Please send us some feedback! Continue reading below to learn how Earth Clinic readers used castor oil on their pets, and please let us know if you tried this remedy!
