How to Get Rid of Calluses on Your Dog’s Elbow

We’ve never had an issue with elbow calluses on our dogs until we moved into a home with ceramic tile. After living in our home for two weeks, I noticed our Rottweiler was developing rough spots around his elbows. We needed to address the calluses on his elbows quickly.

What are Dog Elbow Calluses?

Basically, elbow calluses develop mostly around the elbow area and sometimes hocks (back legs). These calluses are dry, scaly, hairless and firm. Some calluses are dark brown and black, and others are gray; it depends on your dog’s skin and how long your dog has had a callus. Just like humans, calluses are caused by skin coming into contact with something rough or hard repeatedly. Over time, rough skin forms and, if left untreated, become a callus.

Some pet owners refer to dog calluses as pressure sores, but I think there’s a huge difference. If left untreated, some dog elbow calluses will crack and bleed, causing a lesion (sore). If a pressure sore is left untreated, it will likely become infected. If your dog’s calluses are oozing or bleeding, I would schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any issues.

Preventing Dog Elbow Calluses

Preventing a callus from forming on your dog’s elbows is a tough one. Lying on soft bedding will prevent calluses, but some dogs prefer cool tile to an expensive orthopedic bed. 🙂 Trust me, I’ve been there! My Rottie has multiple cushy beds scattered around our home, but he prefers to lie on cool tile, especially during warmer months. During colder months, calluses seem to disappear because dogs will choose to lie on warmer, softer bedding.

During warmer months, instead of prevention, I jump straight into treatment, which prevents calluses from getting out of hand.

Dog Elbow Callus Treatment

Thankfully, there are tons of treatments for dog elbow calluses out there that work. I’ll share a few products I’ve personally used with great success as well as products that didn’t work out too well and why.

What Has Worked

I’ve tried tons of products, and these products worked the best!

The Blissful Dog Elbow Butter

By far, this product has worked the best. The Blissful Dog Elbow Butter is packed into tubes that resemble huge chapstick containers. Just pull off the long plastic cap, twist the bottom of the tube to push the product upward and apply generously. After having dabbed Elbow Butter all around my dog’s elbow callus, I began to rub the product onto his skin. Using your fingers, gently massage the product into the callus. As you’re rubbing, you’ll feel different callus layers; make sure to rub the product between these layers. In the beginning, I apply Elbow Butter twice a day–in the morning and before bed. After a week, you’ll notice your dog’s callus soften, so apply once a day going forward. Elbow Butter is made of all-natural ingredients, so it’s completely safe if your dog licks the area.

Good Old Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is tried and true; it will soften most calluses pretty quickly. Generously apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to your dog’s calluses and rub it in. Massaging the product into calluses is an important step. You need to reach all areas of a callus, and not just the top surface area. Apply every 12 hours for a week, and then keep the area soft with daily applications.

One negative about using petroleum jelly is it will leave the area feeling and looking greasy, which can transfer onto your flooring. However, with a low price point, I think it’s an easy issue to look over.

Products That Didn’t Work Very Well

These dog elbow callus treatment products just didn’t work well for my dogs and client’s dogs.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil believers swear this is a miracle product, but I didn’t have good luck using it as a dog elbow callus treatment. It’s super greasy even after rubbing it into the area for 2-3 minutes. Plus, it smells lovely, meaning my Rottie just licked it all off his elbow. If the product is removed from an area, it doesn’t have a chance to moisturize. Also, excessively licking can cause lick granulomas. Yuck!

Vitamin E

Many pet professionals swear rubbing vitamin E oil onto dog calluses works great. Well, I didn’t have such luck. It was extremely greasy and left a weird residue. And just like coconut oil, my dogs were attracted to the smell and licked every bit off my Rottie’s elbows.

Regardless of which product you use, start moisturizing your dog’s elbow calluses sooner rather than later for quicker results.