Essential Oil Safety in Dogs: how to use them, when to use them, and which ones are safe?

Essential Oil Safety in Dogs: how to use them, when to use them, and which ones are safe?

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In recent years, the use of essential oils has become increasingly popular. People have found essential oils to have many health benefits both physically and mentally. However, we commonly hear that essential oils are not at all safe for our pets. I’ve spent the last year and a half working for a holistic veterinarian and through her practice I have learned that not only are essential oils perfectly safe for our pets, they have a lot of health benefits as well. While essential oils can be used on dogs, there are safety precautions that should be followed. Today, I’m talking all about essential oil safety for dogs: how to use them, when to use them, and which ones are safe for our furry friends. 

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated oils derived from plants. Long before the pharmaceutical companies took over, people used plants and other natural remedies to heal symptoms and illnesses all the time. Because of this, we know that most plants have different healing properties and can be used to treat thousands of symptoms. By extracting oils from these plants, we can use essential oils as a more natural alternative to traditional drugs and medications. 

There are tons of different essential oils out there, and they all work to treat different symptoms. Lavender oil, for example, can reduce stress, anxiety, nausea, and even menstrual cramps. Frankincense oil helps with inflammation, sleep, and has been known to improve asthma. Eucalyptus oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is great for treating a stuffy nose or relieving pain. The list goes on as there are hundreds of essential oils with a variety of healing properties. 

Essential oils can be used in several ways. The most popular is through an oil diffuser. This is a machine that is filled with water and a few drops of oil. The solution is then diffused throughout a room in the form of a vapor. Essential oils can also be used topically or even orally. 

Are Essential Oils Safe for Dogs?

The short answer is yes, essential oils are perfectly safe for use in dogs. However, there are risks associated with them. Some oils are safer for dogs than others, such as:

Oils that may pose more of a hazard to your dog include:

However, it’s important to note that while the risk of a negative reaction is greater with certain oils, that does not mean they can’t be used at all around your pet. 

To put it simply, any oil can be diffused around your dog as long as they are in a well ventilated room and have the opportunity to move away from the diffuser should they choose to do so. You are not going to harm your dog by diffusing oils in your open living areas. The risk is greater in rooms with less ventilation, (aka, don’t lock your dog in a bathroom with a diffuser full of peppermint oil). When you are using an essential oil diffuser properly, the risk of harming your pets is practically nonexistent.

When it comes to using oils on your dog topically or orally, you should always consult a veterinarian. Many of these oils are safe to use on or in a dog, but there are some guidelines that need to be followed. Firstly, any oils you are applying directly to your dog need to be medicinal grade. You can’t just pick up a variety pack at your local TJ Maxx and start rubbing it on your dogs coat. Young Living and doTERRA  are a couple examples of companies with medicinal grade oils. 

In most cases, essential oils that are being applied topically should be diluted with a carrier oil. And you should always get a proper dose before giving your dog any essential oils orally.

When Should You Use Essential Oils With Your Dog?

As I mentioned previously, essential oils are great for treating a large variety of symptoms. In dogs, essential oils are most commonly used to treat anxiety and also as a flea and tick preventative. There are a large variety of essential oil based products on the market for treating both of these problems with dogs and in most cases they are very safe to use and have significantly less side effects than alternative options. 

Note: always consult your veterinarian before using essential oil products on your dog.

Essential oils are also good for treating problems such as cancer, joint pain, allergies, and inappetence. Oils can also be used to treat behavioral issues such as fear, stress, anger, and hyperactivity. Basically, if your dog has a problem there’s an essential oil to fix it. If you believe your dog could benefit from the use of essential oils, contact a holistic veterinarian for advice!

Have you ever used essential oils on your dog? 



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