07/20/2021
In our home we use essential oils for many things.
We diffuse them, on the vacuum filter, for owies on the kids, when someone has a cold, headache, for calming, sleep, in our hair and body products, in the laundry, in our household cleaners the list goes on. I use them in my home on my children, and on my little fur babies. (Not the puppies and/or pregnant dogs)
The ongoing joke with the kids is that our house smells like a metaphysical shop.
Something that many may not be aware of is that some oils can be toxic to your pets causing everything from stomach upset to organ failure and even death.
So itās very important to know which oils are safe for both you and your pets, and just how to use them safely in your home and around or for your pets.
Below are some lists of oils that are safe, and ones to avoid when you have dogs in the house. As well as some tips and tricks on just how to use them with your fur babies.
Essential Oils To Avoid With Dogs
Animals, including dogs, metabolize essential oils differently than humans. Certain essential oils are not safe for use around dogs, because theyāve been shown to produce negative side effects. These essential oils include, but are not limited to:
Birch Oil
Cajeput Oil
Camphor Oil
Cassia Oil
Celery Seed Oil
Cinnamon Oil (All)
Citronella Oil
Clove Bud Oil
Eucalyptus Oil (All)
Fir Needle Oil
Juniper Berry Oil
Nerolina Oil
Niaouli Oil
Oregano Oil
Peppermint Oil
Pine Oil
Rosalina Oil
Rosemary Oil (All)
Sage Oil
Spearmint Oil
Spike Lavender Oil
Spruce Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Thyme Oil (All)
Wintergreen Oil
Safety Considerations
From the outside, itās clear that animals and humans have different exteriors. But as it turns out, our insides arenāt quite similar either. As previously mentioned, dogs have unique physiology, and cannot metabolize most essential oils like we can and itās why we must be careful with how we use essential oils around dogs.
And just as essential oil blends for humans arenāt always one-size-fits-all, essential oil blends for dogs should often be tailored to their individual needs and concerns. For example, if you find a blend for dogs online, does it specify what size dog the blend was made for? Or perhaps, offers adjustments to the blend based on your dogās weight? If not, how are you to know if the blend will benefit both a Great Dane and a Chihuahua?
Therefore, when choosing which oils to use with your pup, keep the following in mind.
Your dogās:
Age
Size
Medical history
Allergies
Needs
Safe Essential Oils For Dogs
Fear not! There are still so many essential oils that can be enjoyed around your dog, including:
Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime
Tangerine
German Chamomile
Roman Chamomile
Jasmine
Neroli
Patchouli
Ylang Ylang
Cypress
Palmarosa
Petitgrain
Essential Oils Your Dog Will Love
We all need a little more goodness in our livesāpups included. Here are some of our favorite essential oils we use to help soothe these common, doggone problems.
COPAIBA
If you could only own two dog-friendly oils, they should be Lavender and Copaiba. Highly regarded in Veterinary Aromatic Medicine for its ability to ease joint discomfort and reduce inflammation, Copaiba is a great topical oil for your pup. A 3-5% dilution is recommended for achy joints.
Copaiba essential oil has a subtle, pleasant aroma for sensitive dogs. Itās also a skin-loving oil and can be used added to a salve of soy wax and a carrier oil for cuts and wounds, or diluted and added to their bath to help resolve dry or stinky skin.
CLARY SAGE
Cooling and herbal, Clary Sage can be paired with Geranium and applied topically for relief on hot days. This oil is immensely calming and sedative, much like Lavender. Itās pleasant, herbal aroma is enjoyed by humans and pooches alike. Dilute Clary Sage to .5%, transfer to a spray bottle and apply to your dogās fur.
GERANIUM
Floral and sweet, Geranium is antifungal and cooling. A good oil for topical application when the temperatures are skyrocketing. Anecdotally, itās also said to deter ticks. Dilute Geranium to .5% in Neem oil, transfer to a spray bottle and apply to your dogās coat.
LAVENDER
Just as Lavender essential oil has a gamut of purposes for humans, this all-purpose oil is great for dogs too. Calming, sedative, anti-itch and wound healing, diluted Lavender oil should be in everyoneās arsenal ā dog owner or not.
ROSE
Have an anxious or skittish dog? Then choose Rose. Calming and skin-soothing, Rose is a treat to the senses (both yours and your dogās). Try applying a diluted drop to your dogās collar.
SWEET ORANGE
Citrusy and uplifting, Sweet Orange is a good choice when your dog is in the care of others and possibly missing you. Sweet Orange is also emotionally supportive when your dog is down in the dumps or fearful.
How To Use Essential Oils With Dogs
After choosing oils to use around your four-legged friend, follow these safety tips to ensure the wellbeing of everyone in your home.
The most important thing I want to stress is that your pets do not have a voice and cannot tell you when something is hurting them. A major sign to watch out for would be behavioral differences, such as whining, scratching or acting loopy. These types of signs are a red flag and a prime reason to stop using EOs around them.
With that said, here are some of our top dog-safe essential oil tips.
Donāt use essential oils on or around puppies under 6 months old.
Donāt use essential oils on or around small dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Boston Terriers and Dachshunds, frequently.
Donāt use essential oils on or around pregnant or nursing dogs.
Start with low dilutions when topically applying oils that are new-to-your-dog, such as 1 drop in 30 ml of coconut oil should do the trick.
Donāt apply essential oils to sensitive areas such as the nose, mouth, snout, ears, privates, etc.
Donāt use essential oils undiluted.
Donāt administer essential oils via oral route.
And with a sense of smell 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than humanās, animals are more affected by essential oil diffusion than one might think. What this means is that diffusing 10-15 drops of essential oil in your Ultrasonic Diffusers is like diffusing 100,000 drops of essential oil or more to your pets.
When diffusing around your dog, follow these guidelines:
Keep your oil diffuser out of your dogās reach.
Diffuse in a well-ventilated area.
Ensure your dog has the ability to remove itself from the area of diffusion (leave doors opened).
If an adverse reaction occurs, discontinue use and seek medical attention from a veterinarian.
Diffuse for 10-15 minutes intermittently.
Opt for a passive diffuser, such as the Reed Diffuser.
When In Doubt
You can still enjoy aromatherapy to the fullest if youāre feeling iffy about using essential oils around your pup. Apply your essential oils topically, diffuse in an area your dog isnāt present, or reach for a personal pocket inhaler filled with your favorite blend. Use these aromatherapy techniques and youāll soon find you can have the best of both worlds.
