Blueberry facial for dogs – 9 amazing benefits
Nothing beats a blueberry facial for dogs when it comes to pampering your pet and cleansing those clogged puppy pores and refreshing tired doggy skin.
As pet parents will agree, pets deserve the best, and that includes feeling relaxed and looking fabulous. The blueberry facial for dogs is marketed as suitable for all breeds, age groups, and skin types, though as with any new grooming product, it’s worth doing a small patch test first and checking with your groomer or vet if your dog has sensitive skin or known allergies.
9 Benefits of a Blueberry Facial for Dogs
1. Pleasant smell
Your pet will love the soothing and awesome fresh smell of the blueberry facial for dogs. It will also leave their fur feeling soft.
2. Brightens and cleans
Dogs are known to dirty their faces quickly due to their curious nature and habit of sniffing everything around them. In furry dogs, the dirt and grime go deep, all the way down to the skin. Hence, the natural exfoliating and slightly hydrating effect of the blueberry scrub has a much more effective cleansing effect than ordinary shampoo.
A facial also penetrates deeper than a bath, removing dead skin cells, dirt, and grime more effectively from the skin. Dead skin cells harbor bacteria and if not removed it can clog the skin pores leading to pustules and odor.
3. Lots of good antioxidants
Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells, and they’re linked to illness and aging. Free radicals are produced as part of normal body functions as well as external causes. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals before they can cause damage. Ingredients in a blueberry facial typically include blueberries, aloe vera, avocado, and coconut oil – ingredients commonly marketed for their antioxidant content, which may help support the skin and coat.
4. May help dry and itchy skin
Coconut oil is a common ingredient in dog skin and coat products, and some pet owners use it for dry or itchy skin. That said, vets are divided on how much benefit it actually provides: coconut oil does contain lauric acid, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties in lab settings, but the American Kennel Club notes there isn’t strong clinical evidence that topical coconut oil meaningfully treats skin conditions in dogs, and recommends checking with your vet before using it as a regular skin treatment, especially on a dog with an existing skin issue. Avocado, meanwhile, is a source of vitamins A, D, and E, and vitamin D in particular is associated with healthier skin.
5. May soothe mild inflammation
Dogs with facial folds sometimes develop irritated skin, most often around the face, lips, vulva, and tail folds. This can cause foul odors and even yeast or bacterial infections. A gentle facial cleanse can help by removing the dirt and moisture that allow yeast and bacteria to build up in those folds. However, always consult your veterinarian about your pet’s skin issues and potential treatments rather than relying on a grooming product alone, particularly if the area looks red, sore, or smells unusually strong.
6. Helps manage (but won’t cure) tear stains
The blueberry facial can help with the cosmetic side of tear staining in breeds like poodles and spaniels that tend to have weepy eyes. Tear stains form because excess moisture around the eyes lets bacteria and yeast build up, creating that reddish-brown discoloration. Regularly cleaning the area – which a facial does – helps keep that buildup down.
What a facial can’t do is fix the underlying cause of excessive tearing. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, tear stains are often linked to facial structure (short-nosed breeds spill tears over the lid instead of draining normally), blocked tear ducts, allergies, or dental pain. If your dog’s tear staining is new, sudden, or accompanied by redness or odor, it’s worth a vet visit rather than just reaching for a grooming product.
7. Generally safe even if licked
Many blueberry facial for dogs products double as a gentle body shampoo, since the formula is designed to be safe near the eyes and to hold up to some licking. Refined, food-grade avocado oil contains negligible amounts of persin, the compound responsible for avocado toxicity, so it’s not the same risk as a dog eating avocado flesh or a pit. Still, keep the product away from your dog’s eyes during application, and stop use if you notice excessive licking, redness, or swelling.
8. Lower risk for pet owners with fragrance sensitivities
Blueberry facial for dogs products tend to have a mild, natural scent rather than a strong synthetic perfume, which can be easier on pet owners who are sensitive to heavily fragranced grooming products.
9. Non-staining
It doesn’t leave any stains on your pet’s fur. It appears blue on application but the color washes off completely during the rinse.
Where to Buy a Blueberry Facial for Dogs
- You can ask for a blueberry facial when you are at your groomers’ next.
- Alternatively, you can buy the product on Amazon or make it yourself at home and apply it during the routine dog grooming session.
Two brands available on Amazon
- South Barks Blueberry Facial
- TropiClean SPA Tear Stain Remover
How to Make Your Own Blueberry Facial Mix at Home
Ingredients
- Fresh blueberries (1.13 oz)
- Coconut oil (.563 oz)
The Process
- Mash up the fresh blueberries and mix with the coconut oil.
- Make sure the resulting mixture has a liquid feel, not a rough texture.
How to Apply It
- Apply it to your dog’s face as part of the regular bathing routine, or to the puppy grooming routine if you’re starting young – see our puppy grooming tips for the basics.
- Apply to the face or whole body if desired, making sure to avoid the eyes.
- If your dog doesn’t appreciate this level of pampering and shows signs of irritation, stop and rinse off the product. If your dog seems comfortable with the gentle massage, continue.
- Once done, rinse and dry off with a towel.
| Benefit | Key Ingredient | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Deep cleansing | Blueberry extract | Gently exfoliates beyond what shampoo alone removes |
| Antioxidant support | Blueberries, aloe vera | Marketed to help counter free-radical damage to skin and coat |
| Moisturizing | Avocado (vitamins A, D, E) | Vitamin D is associated with healthier skin |
| Skin-barrier support | Coconut oil | Contains lauric acid; evidence for topical use on dogs is mixed per AKC |
| Tear-stain management | Gentle cleansing agents | Removes surface buildup; doesn’t fix underlying causes |
| Low licking risk | Refined avocado oil | Negligible persin content compared to whole avocado |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a blueberry facial safe if my dog licks it?
Generally, yes, in the small amounts a dog would lick off its own face. Refined avocado oil used in these products has negligible persin content, unlike avocado flesh or pits. That said, stop use and rinse off if your dog shows excessive licking, redness, or swelling.
How often should I give my dog a blueberry facial?
Most products are designed for use during a regular bathing or grooming routine rather than daily use. Check the specific product label, and ease off if you notice any skin irritation.
Can puppies get a blueberry facial?
Many pet parents introduce a blueberry facial for dogs as part of early puppy grooming routines, but check the product label for a minimum age recommendation and patch-test first, since puppies can have more sensitive skin.
Will a blueberry facial get rid of tear stains permanently?
A blueberry facial for dogs can reduce the surface staining and buildup, but it won’t fix an underlying medical cause like a blocked tear duct, allergy, or dental pain. If staining is severe, sudden, or comes with redness or odor, see your vet.
Is coconut oil actually good for a dog’s skin?
It’s a common ingredient in dog grooming products and contains lauric acid, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties in lab studies. However, the American Kennel Club notes there’s limited clinical evidence it meaningfully treats skin conditions in dogs, so it’s best viewed as a mild, generally low-risk ingredient rather than a treatment – talk to your vet if your dog has a persistent skin issue.
Are blueberries themselves safe for dogs?
Yes – according to the American Kennel Club, blueberries are safe for dogs and are a low-calorie, antioxidant-rich treat in moderation, which is part of why they’re a popular ingredient in dog grooming products too.
Be sure to let us know once you have tried the blueberry facial.
You may also find our posts on 16 dogs similar to German Shepherd, types of emotional support dogs, and how to stop my dog from licking everything helpful.
Michael Burrows is a contributor and editor at Dogs and Cats HQ. He specializes in researching pet behavior, training, health, and nutrition topics. His articles are based on veterinary sources, animal welfare organizations, and practical pet ownership experience shared by the Dogs and Cats HQ editorial team.
