Essential Oils, Aromatherapy & Dogs: What You should Know

by | Apr 9, 2022 | Dog Health

Essential Oils, Aromatherapy & Dogs
Essential Oils, Aromatherapy & Dogs

Have you heard of the use of essential oils to help support your pet’s overall health (especially in search of organic methods)? There’s a good chance you have any questions.

The subject of essential oils is complicated because there is so much mixed information. Here, we’ve attempted to answer some of the most frequently asked concerns pet owners want to understand about the use of essential oils in their dogs, especially for aromatherapy or scents, to increase feelings of well-being, relaxation, and peace. This list isn’t comprehensive, but it’s undoubtedly an excellent place to start!

The main point is that the most secure method to implement any health-related lifestyle changes for the pet you love is to talk with a veterinarian. in this instance, a holistic vet could be the best route to take the next step.

Are essential oils safe for use on the pet?

However, the quick answer is only certain high-quality essential oils and only when it is done correctly.

Dr. Karen Becker, a widely recognized veterinarian for holistic pet care, has numerous articles and interviews on the internet featuring Dr. Melissa Shelton, a holistic DVM and the founder of Animalia, an essential oil range specifically designed for pets. A specialist in crucial oils treatments for pets, Shelton is a holistic DVM. In an article in Healthy Pets, Shelton described how to use this natural cure for your pet safely.

The first step is to ensure you’re using the best essential oil suitable for your dog (more on this below). The article says that Shelton, Dr. Shelton “can usually trace the issue in an essential oil to the fact that it’s an oil made of synthetic material or an oil of poor quality or an instance caused by misuse by the consumer. .”

But I’ve read that essential oils are harmful to pets – what’s the reason?

This question is tricky. The reason may be that, as previously mentioned, adverse reactions result from synthetic or subpar oils or the misuse of fats (like the use of harmful oils on a pet). Of course, sure, pets might likely have sensitivities or allergies to certain oils. It is also crucial to know that certain oils can be highly harmful to our animals (more on this below).

It could be a combination of these causes or other factors causing some vets and websites that promote animal health to steer their customers away from this treatment method. We recommend treating your dog by using essential oils by aromatherapy, focusing on the scent instead of directly applying oil on their skin or fur that is more likely to trigger an allergic reaction or cause irritation. Consult a holistic veterinarian if you’re interested in using essential oils topically applied to your pet.

What can essential oils aid for my pet?

Essential oils can be employed to treat a wide range of physical and emotional problems across all species. For aromatherapy, specific scents could assist in promoting happiness, calmness, relaxation, sleep and concentration, fighting motion sickness and nausea, and many more.

What can I do to pick an excellent essential oil suitable for my dog?

It depends on what you want to use the oils for. Essential oils can serve many purposes, including arts and crafts projects to medicinal reasons. This is why it’s challenging to locate a comprehensive checklist of “best” oils brands available in the market.

To improve your dog’s health, you’ll need pure and high-quality oils. Their Herbal Academy website details what buyers should be looking for when purchasing a product. It covers the following points:

  • Label Name of the plant: Botanical name, part country of origin, date of distillation and expiration (if applicable), chemical type (if appropriate), and “Keep out Of Reach of Children” declaration
  • Cost: If it’s too fantastic to be accurate (much lower than similar brands), it most likely is.
  • Testing: Particularly tests for GC/MS (which is a mark of quality, meaning mass spectrometry and gas-chromatography tests are carried out in batches[]
  • Organic, untreated, or wildcrafted
  • NAHA or any other association memberships
  • Economic cooperatives and sustainability or initiatives

For more details, read this article about choosing the best essential oils from The Herbal Academy. They also provide a list of independent vendors and links to their websites, including Animalia and Dr. Shelton’s name.

What oils are beneficial to dogs, and what is the reason?

After choosing the essential oil provider, you’ll need to be sure you pick the right oil to aid (and not harm!) your dog! Certain essential oils could harm your dog’s health, so it’s not wise to select one just because you believe it “smells nice.”

Be aware that the exact oil cannot be used on different pets. For instance, cats can be susceptible to certain botanicals and plants, So a safe product for your pet could be harmful to your cat.

As per Dogs Naturally Magazine, Naturally Living Ideas, and Rover.com, some essential oils help dogs relax with aromatherapy:

  • Lavender: This fragrant scent is well-known for its relaxing properties and can reduce stress, including those associated with separation anxiety and car journeys. It is also an excellent aid for dogs (and humans!) to sleep better.
  • Frankincense is an old-fashioned remedy used for centuries to boost immunity and health. It has been proven to fight cancer.
  • Chamomile is often used as a “sleepy-time” tea. It can soothe dogs from within. The aroma alone could cause your dog to be exhausted, and it can be mixed to make lavender essential oil.
  • Spearmint is beneficial for digestion and stomach upsets. It can alleviate your dog’s nausea or upset stomach. This can be a helpful natural treatment for anxious motorists.
  • Lemongrass: Besides its pleasant aroma, lemongrass is also an organic insect repellent. The wearing of a lemongrass-scented bandana could assist in keeping insects away from a dog who loves the outdoors.
  • Citronella Does not confuse with chemical-filled candles; this vital oil also helps repel bugs and is an excellent combination with the lemongrass.
  • Cardamom An additional solution to stomach and nausea upset, cardamom may aid in making your dog feel more comfortable due to its anti-anxiety qualities.
  • Cedarwood: In addition to its numerous applications, this essential oil can aid dogs who are timid by decreasing anxiety-related aggression. It can also help in promoting the feeling of security.

Always do your research and speak with a holistic veterinarian before giving your dog essential oils. If you’re not 100 sure that the essential oil you choose to use is safe for your dog, It is best to stay in the direction of caution and stay clear of it.

Which essential oils may be harmful to my pet?

This list could be why numerous pet health services have abandoned any notion of essential oil use completely. A wrong approach can cause adverse effects, such as nausea, muscle tremors, organ failure, and death. (As stated above, pet owners and cats should not use essential oils on their pets that may harm their cats. )

As per Essential Oil Haven, these are just a handful of the essential oils that should not be used on dogs, in the form of aromatherapy, topically, or for any other reason:

  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Cinnamon
  • Citrus (lemon, orange, tangerine)
  • Ylang Ylang
  • Wintergreen
  • Sweet Birch
  • Pennyroyal
  • Pine

The correct essential oil could be a potent natural remedy that can significantly enhance your pet’s quality of life!

Can my dog be sensitive to the scent?

Our dogs’ noses are 10,000 percent more sensitive than the human nose, and it’s normal to be worried about overloading the animals with scent. Our aromatherapy t-shirts recommend that pet owners apply only one drop of the essential oil blend on the felt heart. You could even dilute the drop of oil by using water or other carrier oils as the aromatherapy is introduced to your pet.

Please look at the different smells that dogs come across at home, including bleach, cleaning supplies detergents, perfumes, deodorizing sprays, and air fresheners that saturate their noses regularly. If you consider all of this, the smell of a natural (and safe for your pup!) essential oil, if used in small quantities, will be pleasing to your dog’s nostrils!

If your pet gets agitated when wearing the bandana, and you think it’s due to the smell, clean it off and let her wear it without the heart-infused scent — or at minimum, she’ll wear a cute accessory!

Perfectly Plaid The perfect calming aromatherapy bandana $12.99. Each purchase feeds four hungry shelter dogs.

Which is the most effective method to add essential oil to my dog’s daily regimen?

In the beginning, the most effective way to start adding essential oils to your dog’s routine of care is to talk to a holistic veterinarian. If you’ve read this post, it’s an excellent start! In addition, you should conduct your research.

Aromatherapy is an excellent method for giving your pet essential oil. Further, diluting the oils by adding a small amount of carrier oil or water can ensure that the scent won’t overpower your dog friend, mainly when the dog is getting used to the smell.

Dogs Naturally Magazine also suggests the use of essential oils for brief intervals with breaks between

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