While essential oils have been around for a very long time, in recent years, their popularity has picked up. When used as directed, there are many potential benefits of using essential oils with dogs.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. The oils capture the plant’s scent and flavor, or “essence.” Unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence. Essential oils are obtained through distillation (via steam and/or water) or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing. Once the aromatic chemicals have been extracted, they are combined with carrier oils to create a product that’s ready for use. How the oils are made is important, as essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not considered true essential oils.
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 around your house, you might wonder if you can use them for the same purposes on your dog. Because here’s the truth, some essential oils are safe for dogs, and others are bad (or potentially toxic) for them.
Understanding Essential Oil(s):
Have you ever asked why plants contain essential oils?
One reason is that they can’t move to escape threats. Instead, they produce compounds to repel predators and pathogens. The oils capture the plant’s scent and flavor, or “essence.” Unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence. Essential oils are obtained through distillation (via steam and/or water) or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing.
Which Essential Oils Are Safe For Dogs?
The good news is that some essential oils are safe for your dog! Plus, these oils can have some great benefits for your pup. Again, this isn’t an exhaustive list, so do your research before you use new essential oils and consult your vet!
Here are some common dog-safe essential oils:
- Lavender
- Cornmint
- Cedar/Cedarwood
- Bergamot
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
- Geranium
- Citronella
- Frankincense
- Chamomile
- Ginger
- Myrrh
How Does a Dog Absorb Essential Oils?
The body can absorb essential oils into the bloodstream through various methods:
- Inhalation
- Ingestion (eating or licking)
- Through the skin
Once the oils enter the bloodstream, they can travel to various tissues and have numerous benefits. Different chemicals in the oils have a biological affinity for specific tissues. So knowing your oil’s components is the first step in choosing the right oil that is safe for your furry friend.
Essential oils are very powerful, especially for animals. You need to ensure the ones you choose are safe for dog(s) or cat(s). Even tiny amounts can have powerful biological effects on every system of the body. Although essential oils are not new, the research into them is. Ironically, while most studies (unfortunately) start on animals and progress to humans, the look into the science behind essential oils has mostly only been done on human subjects.
How To Use Essential Oils For Your Dogs
There are many ways to use all of these oils safely for your dog, however, keep these things in mind:
- Understand purity/dilution — 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.
- Think about the other members of your household — Dogs may not be your only animal friends at home. Some oils for dogs are not safe for other pets, like cats. Be mindful of which oils you use and how you use them to make sure it’s safe for everyone at home.
- Using essential oils topically — The safest way to use these oils for dogs is by infusion or topical application. You can either put the diluted oil on your hands and pet your dog, rubbing the oil onto the skin, or mix it into their bath products. Please note you should NEVER use pure essential oils directly on your pet’s skin (without your veterinarian’s recommendation). Pure essential oil is far too concentrated to be beneficial and will likely cause skin irritation and discomfort. Using the right grooming products, for example, all-natural shampoos from PRIDE+GROOM where the essential oils are already properly formulated will save you a lot of time and research, as they already contain the perfect essential oil blend.
Harmful Essential Oils for Dogs:
Some essential oils (such as tea tree oil or peppermint oil) are very bad or even toxic to dogs and cause a sleuth of adverse effects, including breathing problems, muscle tremors/weakness, fatigue, rash, redness and burns, vomiting, and even collapse. Remember, it is important to diffuse essential oils and research different oils before using them.
Note: if your dog shows any of these signs at any time, stop what you’re doing and contact your veterinarian or holistic vet immediately!
Some common essential oils that are harmful or bad for dogs include:
- Anise
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
- Clove
- Eucalyptus
- Garlic
- Juniper
- Peppermint oil
- Pine
- Thyme
- Yarrow
- Tea Tree
Remember, this isn’t an exhaustive list, so be sure to research before using new oils. Your best bet is to ask your vet about the risks and benefits before you use any oils.
Air fresheners, oils labeled as having a “calming effect” or “relaxing effect,” and ones that combat stress may cause serious issues for a dog, impacting their central nervous system or blood pressure. Always consult a veterinarian or a holistic veterinarian first to use essential oils safely.
Conclusion:
Essential oils should always be used with caution, even with “dog-safe” options! It is best to consult your vet when you have specific questions about essential oils for a dog (or a cat!) When you know how to use essential oils for dogs safely, it can give you another effective tool to help make their life as happy and healthy as possible. Remember not to allow your dog to ingest them, store them safely, and choose only essential oils known to be safe. The benefits of essential oils for a dog can be wonderful.
