Just like your children are different, your dogs are different. Some are perfectly happy to lay in the sunshine and to get a pat on the head from time to time. Other dogs are so hyper that they wake up ready to go.
They have two speeds; fast and faster. Before we get into the ways essential oils can help your dog you must understand this. Essential oils are natural oils that are taken from the plants of nature. But essential oils are strong medications. That doesn’t mean all oils are safe for you, your child, or your dog. However, used correctly they are perfect remedies. Just make sure you know you have the right information.
Animals smell a lot better than humans, They can actually smell 200 times better than you.
How are essential oils going to benefit your furry friend?
There is still a lot of scientific research to be done on the subject of essential oils, but they have been proven to have many desirable health benefits. These include anxiety reduction, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal effects.
They can also potentially alter memories and mental states, and research is currently being done to see whether they can be used to combat resistant infections and cancer.
How do you use essential oils?
For starters, you should always use essential oils under the direction of your veterinarian. Whilst they are natural products, they can still have remarkably potent effects, and so you should let your veterinarian know that you are using them.
Essential oils should always be used topically, meaning on the skin, or via inhalation as aromatherapy.
Are Essential Oils Safe for Dogs?
Before you think that it all sounds great, and rush out to get some essential oils for your dog, it is worth pausing for a second to understand the safety aspects. Yes, they have profound health benefits, however, with their potency also comes some very real side effects.
Therefore, it is important to follow these safety tips when using essential oils on your dog:
- Always ensure your veterinarian is on board with you using essential oils. For some dogs, they may exacerbate health issues, or interact with other medications. For example, dogs who are prone to epilepsy, may have more seizures when exposed to essential oils as they can reduce the seizure threshold in the brain. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you whether it is safe to use them on your dog.
- If you also own cats, as well as dogs, you should use essential oils with extra caution. Cats do not have the liver enzymes needed to metabolize essential oils, meaning that they are at a higher risk of toxicity. If your dog and cat are great friends, then grooming each other could be dangerous.
- When applying essential oils to the coat of your dog, ensure they are diluted in a carrier oil or water, as if they are pure, they might cause skin irritation. Also, in a more concentrated form, they could cause toxicity if licked off and ingested.
- If you are using essential oils for aromatherapy purposes for either yourself or your dog, always ensure that the dogs have access to a part of the house where they can get away from the smell. Dogs have greatly heightened olfactory senses compared to humans, and therefore the scent can easily become over-bearing for them.
- Always purchase pure essential oils. Cheap essential oils may contain additional chemicals, which could bring harm to your dog.
- The concentrated forms of the oils should always be kept out of access to your dog. If they were knocked over on the animals or chewed from the bottles, it could cause serious side effects.
- Finally, when applying them to your dog, never use them around the eyes, nose or genitals, nor on puppies under 10 weeks, pregnant or nursing dogs.
As well as these safety guidelines, there are also some essential oils which are not suitable for your dog as they may cause toxicities. Ιt is important to do your research into which oils to use and how to use them to ensure you are benefiting your dog with them.
10 Best Essential Oils That Are Safe for Dogs
So, which oils should you use on your dog? Here is a list of ten essential oils which are safe for you to dilute and use alone or blend together.
Lavender oil
Lavender is a very popular oil, both for humans and dogs. Its uses are extensive and it can be very effective on its application.
One of the main uses of lavender oil is for its anti-anxiety effects. In 2006, there was a study performed looking at how lavender can influence the behavior of dogs that experience travel-induced excitement. The study included 32 dogs, and proved that those using lavender aromatherapy experienced significantly more time sitting and resting during the journey.
Lavender oil also has excellent soothing effects as well as anti-bacterial properties, and so it is a common choice for adding to blends which are applied to skin concerns, such as wounds, allergies and infections.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint essential oil can be used to cool sore muscles, energize tired animals, and soothe upset stomachs. It refreshes the air when diffused. This oil can open the airways and promote a healthy respiratory tract, as well as soothe aching joints.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil is a gentle oil which helps relieve stress. It also has incredible anti-inflammatory therapeutic benefits, which are useful for burns, skin disorders, irritation and wounds. Chamomile can easily be used in a calming room spray, in a blend with lavender oil, providing dogs with a sense of relief from any anxiety which they may be experiencing.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil is considered a super oil, as it tackles so many different health ailments within the body. The most notable is its potent anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It also helps to boost the immune system. It has also been proven in mice, through a study in 2008, that frankincense can provide anti-depressive effects.
Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood oil is particularly useful if your dog has a cough. It is an expectorant, which means it helps to loosen the mucus, and is particularly good for phlegmy infections like kennel cough. Naturally, it needs to be breathed in for this effect, so is best used in an aromatherapy setting.
It can also be used in a massage oil for the coat, as it improves circulation to sore muscles, acts as a calming agent, and helps boost hair growth, to aid with a lush, glossy coat.
Cardamom Oil
Like cedarwood oil, cardamom oil can also aid in improving coughs or other infections. It has potent antimicrobial properties which will help get on top of the lung infection when breathed in. It can also be used topically for local infections. In addition to this excellent application, it is very useful in improving appetite and reducing nausea, so if your dog is not feeling too well, put a few drops of diluted oil on a bandana or in a diffuser to allow your dog to breathe it in.
Helichrysum Oil
It is an excellent oil for many uses for two separate reasons. The first is the effect on the circulatory system. It boosts the health of the heart, improves blood flow and decreases bleeding. Secondly, it is particularly effective when applied to the skin in a massage oil or spray application. As it soaks in, it rejuvenates it and improves the skin barrier. As a result, it enables the skin to be a better barrier against external allergens and infections.
Spearmint Oil
Don’t be fooled that since spearmint and peppermint are both from the mint family, that they do the same thing. In fact, they have remarkably different applications. Coming into contact with spearmint oil, can aid in balancing metabolism and reducing nausea, so it is particularly good for dogs which are struggling with gastrointestinal issues. Some people suggest that this oil can be ingested in small quantities, however we suggest that you always stick to either aromatherapy or topical applications for essential oils, as it is easy to cause a toxicity.
Copaiba Oil
If you aren’t sure of what oil to use or blend, then you cannot go wrong with copaiba. Its uses are endless. It boosts the immune system, and supports the cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. As a result, it can improve blood flow, reduce pain, and improve general wellbeing.
Fennel Oil
Fennel oil has a sweet smell when used in aromatherapy, similar to that of liquorice. It is popular to use topically on areas where there is fluid build-up in the tissues, such as an area of inflammation, over a seroma or around a post-operative wound. This can be done when diluted into a massage oil.
With all essential oils, it is important to remember that each dog is an individual, and will react in a different way to the next dog. Therefore, if there are any adverse effects, all applications of oils should be ceased. The best way to prevent this from happening is to consult your vet before using any oils to get their advice for your specific dog.
Essential oils that are toxic for dogs
Not all essential oils are suitable for using on dogs, and some are not recommended for any animal use at all.
The following essential oils should be steered clear of for dogs:
- Clove
- Garlic
- Juniper
- Rosemary
- Tea Tree
- Thyme
- Wintergreen
And the following essential oils should not be used on any animal, in case you were hoping to use them on a different furry friend:
- Anise
- Birch
- Bitter Almond
- Boldo
- Calamus
- Camphor
- Cassia
- Chenopodium
- Goosefoot
- Horseradish
- Hyssop (Hyssopus sp. with the exception of Decumbens)
- Mugwort
- Mustard
- Oregano
- Pennyroyal
- Red or White Thyme
- Rue
- Santolina
- Sassafras
- Savory
- Tansy
- Terebinth
- Thuja
- Wormwood
- Yarrow
The Risks of Essential Oils
Because essential oils are natural, many people assume they are safe. However, they are extremely potent substances, and therefore if used incorrectly, they may cause serious side effects. The essential oils are lipid soluble, which means they are easily absorbed into cells. For the body to remove them from the system, they must be metabolized by the liver. As a result, puppies, elderly dogs and dogs with liver disease may struggle to do this.
When applied topically, if you have not diluted the oil appropriately, then there is the possibility of causing marked irritation to the skin. In addition to this, your dog might lick it off, which can lead to gastrointestinal upsets.
The olfactory powers of a dog are hundreds of times better than ours as humans, and therefore what is a strong scent to us, can be overwhelming to them. As a result, if you are using essential oils for aromatherapy purposes, always check that it is not causing your dog undue stress.
Finally, the essential oils listed above are toxic to dogs, which can cause some serious health implications.
The following list are some of the symptoms which you might notice:
- Muscle tremors
- Lethargy or weakness
- Trouble walking or an uncoordinated gait
- Difficulty breathing
- Low body temperature
- Excessive salivation
- Vomiting
- Excessive pawing at mouth or face
- Drooling
- Redness or burns on the lips, gums, tongue or skin
How Do You Apply Essential Oils for Dogs?
So now you know what to look out for when using essential oils, how do you go about using them in the correct manner?
There are several types of preparation which you can use on your dog, which all involve dilution of the oils in another carrier oil or water.
Carrier Oils
If you are wanting to make up a massage oil, the best is to dilute the essential oils in a carrier oil. This can be any oil of your choice, but popular ones are olive oil, coconut oil or grapeseed oil. Approximately three drops of essential oil should be used per ounce of carrier oil.
Shampoo
If you have a neutral based shampoo, or a shampoo that you particularly like which you want to improve even further, you can add about 20 drops to eight ounces of shampoo.
Topical Sprays
A topical spray is useful for misting the skin with, or using as a room spray. The total amount of essential oil mixed in the water should not exceed 1%, however, even as little as 0.1% can be very effective.
Aromatherapy
To use the oils as aromatherapy around your dog, either apply just one drop of oil to your dog’s collar, or use an aromatherapy diffuser in your household.
