Essential Oils For Your Dog
Essential oils can provide emotional support for our pets before and after clinic visits, heal wounds, support difficult moments with loud noises, aid in sleep, and provide relief for a variety of issues when needed. It is estimated that over 60% of what you put on your dog’s skin (the largest organ of the body) gets absorbed into their bloodstream. The skin is your dog’s barrier against environmental assault. This is true for humans too.
Whether it’s for relaxing aromatherapy or a natural way to repel bugs, millions of people use essential oils daily. And like many other things you have around your house, you might be wondering if you can use them for the same purposes with your dog. Some essential oils are safe for dogs, and others are potentially toxic for them.
When choosing essential oils for your dog (or your family) it is a good idea to use high quality essential oils and not fragrance oils. The differences are explained below:
Pure essential oils are extracted from different parts of plants such as the flower via steam distillation or cold pressing. They are 100% pure oils not having been processed, diluted or manipulated with solvents or other additives.
Fragrance oils are manufactured in the laboratory. Since each oil contains a complex combination of chemicals, they also may contain several toxins such as benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, propylene glycol, parabens, and sulfates just to mention a few.
Just a few things to keep in mind:
While you want to have the purest form of essential oil to use on your dog, more is not always better. In fact, many oils can be harmful if applied directly, so diluting them is essential. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t be using oils that are more potent than 3-6 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. The safest way to use essential oils for dogs is by infusion or topical application. You can put the diluted oil on your hands and pet your dog, rub the oil onto the skin, or mix it into their bath products.
A few oils for consideration:
Lavender oil is typically considered safe for dogs. Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils, lavender offers a calming effect and promotes relaxation. It can be a very pleasant scent to use in your home.
Cedarwood has powerful properties and is considered safe for dogs. Cedarwood oil helps repels
pests like fleas and ticks, promotes healthy skin, and has a relaxing effect.
Bergamot is a dog safe essential oil. Bergamot is calming and uplifting while having antibacterial
and anti-inflammatory properties for the skin.
Lemongrass essential oil is typically safe for dogs. Aside from smelling fresh and pleasant, lemongrass repels fleas and ticks while promoting healthy skin.
Rosemary oil is commonly safe for dogs. Rosemary essential oil stimulates healthy hair growth, repels bugs, and helps increase circulation which is important for healthy skin and coat.
Geranium is another dog safe essential oil. With antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, this oil is great for the skin.
Citronella essential oil is safe for dogs. It is one of the most effective oils for repelling fleas,
ticks, and other bugs.
Frankincense is safe to use with dogs. A less potent oil, Frankincense can be used for many things. For dogs, it’s commonly used for its antibacterial property during grooming.
Chamomile and ginger essential oils are considered safe essential oils for dogs and can help settle stress and upset stomachs.
Some common essential oils that may be harmful for dogs include:
- Anise
- Citrus
- Clove
- Juniper
- Pine
- Thyme
- Yarrow
- Tea Tree
Keep in mind this isn’t an exhaustive list, so be sure to do your research before you use a new essential oil.
At The K9 Encounter, we strive to provide quality information and expert resources for you. If you want to know more about essential oils for your pet or family, please contact our expert:
Shawn Reynolds 505-573-6826
Anointed Adventures Facebook group
She will be happy to assist you and provide you with more information!