You may have heard about the healing properties of essential oils. And that’s why you use or diffuse them in your home. But have you ever stopped to think about the effects of essential oils on your furry friends?
First off, dogs are more sensitive to scents than humans. What you think is a mild scent might be overwhelming your canine friends. Even without mentioning the adverse effects, this is an excellent reason to use essential oils around your four-legged friend cautiously.
So, can you diffuse essential oils around dogs? Short answer yes. You can diffuse essential oils around dogs, but with caution. Considering that essential oils can harm your canine, it is advisable that you diffuse oils considered safe and keep the diffuser far from your dog.
In this article, you will learn more about essential oils and how you can use them around your dogs.
Table of Contents
Essential Oils Diffusers And Your Pet
A few drops of lavender oil on your dog’s bedding may help with allergies, burns, insomnia, and anxiety. But excessive amounts can overwhelm your furry friend, leading to changes in behavior, adverse central nervous system effects, and respiratory issues, among other issues.
- 【AROMATHERAPY DIFFUSER & HUMIDIFIERS】- This is a cool things for your room. It can not only be used as a small humidifier but also an aromatherapy diffuser. Just add some water and essential oil,...
- 【ULTRA-QUIET DESIGN】- When the aromatherapy diffuser is running, the sound is lower than 30 decibels, which is a very low level. Even if you use it when you are in sleeping, it will not affect...
- 【ADJUSTABLE LIGHTING】- This cool mist humidifier provide you with 7 different color led light. You can adjust the lighting of different colors according to your mood which can bring different...
There are many varieties of essential oils that are harmless, primarily when used in small quantities. This definitely means you can safely diffuse them around dogs.
All in all, make sure to ask your vet for approval before diffusing oils around pets.
Essential Oils Safe For Dogs And Their Uses
Nature knows the best, and our beloved four-legged friends can boost their soothe aches and pain and naturally improve their overall health.
Essential oils safe for dogs are thought to help with almost everything from fighting fleas and ticks to skin irritations, yeast, and ear infections. After all, some products made for pets contain low concentrations of essential oils.
Although there is scant research showing whether essential oils provide all purported benefits, diffusing them around pets gives promising benefits.
Here are various issues that essential oils help with:
Fleas and Ticks
Most essential oils have a strong scent that naturally repels fleas and ticks. You can use small amounts of lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and cedarwood oils to drive away these annoying parasites.
Some oils like cedarwood can kill fleas.
You can either diffuse these oils or add a few drops in water and apply the solutions to your dog’s coat. Whichever method you use, they all work effectively.
Anxiety
Is your dog barking or whining too often? Barking and excessive activity are signs of stress. The good news is that diffusing essential oils can help restore peace, alleviate anxiety and keep your dog replaced in periods of stress.
Essential oils like Bergamot and lavender help balance emotions by soothing panic, stress, depression, shock, frustration, and irritability. Frankincense is thought to help calm the mind and moderate breathing to help alleviate anxiety.
Yeast Infection
Different essential oils have antibacterial and antifungal properties that help fight yeast infections. Diffusing essential oils, like tea tree oil, but sparingly can help manage yeast infections in dogs.
You can also mix a few drops of lemon essential oil, lavender oil, and 8 oz of virgin oil and apply them to the affected ear or skin. The solution works effectively.
Dog Tumors
Although there is scant research showing the benefits of essential oils on dogs, some vets believe that a blend of essential oils can help with dog tumors and other growths.
Essential oils, like frankincense, are being implemented in the treatment of tumors in canines. Diffusing approved oils is thought to have effects like in humans.
Bad Breath
Although high concentrations of peppermint may be toxic for your dog, diffusing the oil around your dog can potentially neutralize your dog’s bad breath.
Peppermint provides significant minty freshness, which deodorizes smelly breath. Diffusing other essential oils with strong scents could have the same effects.
Before using essential oils for dealing with bad breath, consider looking into teeth cleaning, which is a regular hygiene requirement for many dogs.
Hot Spots
If your dog has hot spots or other recurring skin infections, diffusing essential oils with antibacterial properties may help with the conditions. You can opt to use superior essential oils or a blend of oils like frankincense, myrrh, and lavender. As always, check with your holistic vet before using the oils.
Allergies
Diffusing essential oils like peppermint, chamomile, and lavender can ease symptoms caused by allergies. Although these essential oils can help with symptoms like respiratory disorders, inflamed skin, and other chronic conditions, they should be used sparingly.
When handling allergies in dogs, consult with your vet for recommendations.
Ear Infections
Ear infections tend to be quite tenacious. They may be a sign of allergy or a serious underlying health condition. Diffusing certain essential oils can help fight otitis externa and soothe the accompanying pain. Lavender, also called universal oil, is an excellent antiseptic and soother.
Seizures
There are plenty of natural remedies that effectively treat seizures. Essential oil therapies have been shown to improve seizures. Diffusing a blend of lavender, ylang-ylang, and neroli can and will calm your dog. If your dog hates the strong scent of the mixture, you can use individual oils.
Pain
Many essential oils score well when it comes to soothing pain. You can share the pleasure of essential oils with your pooch. Oils like bergamot, lavender, peppermint, chamomile, copaiba, and cinnamon are extremely soothing and energize sore muscles.
Arthritis
Diffusing essential oils can also help with arthritis in dogs. Although cinnamon and cassia oils can be irritating when undiluted, they have strong anti-inflammatory properties like aspirin, making effective treatment for arthritis.
Conclusion
Diffusing essential oils around dogs could have healing effects, provided the oils you’re using are safe for your four-legged friend. If you suspect your dog has ingested any essential oil, including those considered safe, call your veterinarian immediately for help.
How To Use Essential Oils Safely With Dogs
Though essential oils can provide many benefits for both people and pets, it’s important to use them safely. Dogs have a strong sense of smell, and that means they can be more sensitive to the potency of essential oils. When using essential oils around dogs, always start with a very small amount and — unless directed otherwise by your veterinarian — never apply them directly to your dog’s skin. Instead, Diffuse them into the air or add a few drops to your dog’s shampoo.
You can also create a safe-to-ingest solution by adding a few drops of oil to a cup of water or carrier oil like coconut oil, then rubbing it on the inside of your dog’s ears. If you have any concerns about using essential oils around your dog, talk to your veterinarian before getting started. By following these simple precautions, you can enjoy all the benefits of essential oils while keeping your four-legged friend safe.
Precautions To Take When Using Essential Oils With Dogs
Essential oils have become increasingly popular in recent years, with people using them for everything from relaxation to cleaning. However, it is important to exercise caution when using essential oils around dogs, as some oils can be toxic to them. For example, tea tree oil is often used as a natural flea repellent, but it can cause neurological problems in dogs if they ingest it.
Citrus oils such as lemon and orange oil can also be problematic, as they can cause stomach upset. When diffusing essential oils or using them topically, make sure that your dog has a safe place to go if they want to leave the area. It is also a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before using any essential oils around your dog. By taking these precautions, you can help to ensure that your dog stays safe and healthy.
The Do’s And Don’ts Of Using Essential Oils With Dogs
Essential oils can be a great way to help your dog stay healthy and cure various ailments. However, it’s important to use them properly in order to avoid harming your pet. Here are some tips on how to safely use essential oils with dogs:
- Do choose the right oil. Some essential oils, such as lavender and chamomile, are safe for dogs. Others, like eucalyptus and Tea Tree oil, can be toxic. Make sure you know which oils are safe before using them on your dog.
- Do dilute the oil properly. Essential oils should always be diluted before applying them to your dog’s skin. Use a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, and mix it with the essential oil at a ratio of 1:10. This will help to prevent irritation and skin sensitization.
- Don’t apply the oil directly to your dog’s skin. Always Dilute the oil first, then apply it to a small area of your dog’s fur. If there is no reaction after 24 hours, you can apply it over a larger area.
- Don’t use essential oils around puppies or pregnant dogs. Their systems are not yet fully developed and they may be more susceptible to adverse reactions. It’s best to avoid using essential oils around these vulnerable animals.
By following these simple tips, you can safely use essential oils with dogs and reap the benefits of these powerful natural remedies.
