Can Dogs Use Essential Oils?

Essential oils have become popular ways of easing into holistic healing. But, as we fill our diffusers with our favorite blends and rub our favorite scents on our hands and spray our laundry, many are wondering how safe essential oils are for pets.

Are all essential oils created equally?

Although the bottles they come in may seem the same, not all essential oils are made the same or are the same quality. Even though some may smell exactly the same, that does not mean that they are. Oils extracted from different parts of the plant can have different therapeutic uses. Therefore, it is important to get your essential oils from a reputable company who not only lists the extraction method of the oils, but the part of the plant that the oil comes from.

How many plants are needed to create one bottle of essential oils?

Each plant takes a different amount of raw plants to create a bottle of essential oils. However, in general, the breakdown is that it takes three pounds of lavender to create 15 ml of lavender essential oils, 105 pounds of rose petals to produce 5 ml of rose oil, and 50 lemons to create about 15 ml of lemon oil. This means that most oils take an incredible amount of raw plants to make.

Can essential oils help my dog?

Essential oils have been used for centuries for everything from natural bug-repellant to easing anxiety. As dogs’ sense of smell is much stronger than humans, it is no wonder that aromatherapy can be a good option for them.

Some of the best essential oils for dogs are:

• Lavender because it has the same calming effect it has it humans.
• Arnica oil can help ease muscle strains and bruising.
• Frankincense can help treat cancer, reduce tumors, ease anxiety, and strengthen the immune system.
• Eucalyptus can improve a dog’s coat and can prevent fleas.
• Peppermint can soothe irritated skin and repel fleas.
• Ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory and is excellent for use on pets’ skin.

Are essential oils safe for dogs to ingest or inhale?

As when using essential oils on people, you should always dilute the oils before using them on your pet or allowing your pet to inhale them. It can also be helpful to start by using only essential oils intended for pets in specific pet products. For example, CBD Dog Health combines proper amounts of essential oils with CBD hemp oil to help you safely administer the oil to your pet for inhalation, oral ingestion, or topical application.

It is safe for your dog to ingest lavender, arnica oil, and frankincense orally. You can topically apply eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and ginger oil safely as well.

You should always consult your holistic veterinarian before administering any essential oils for your pet to inhale, consume orally, or use topically. Since there are hundreds of essential oils on the market, I recommend fully researching before you administer new oils.

There are a few oils that should be avoided in all animals. A few of the most popular oils to avoid using on pets include:

• Tea tree oil
• Garlic oil
• Juniper
• Tansy
• Wintergreen
• Wormwood
• Oregano
• Cloves
• Bitter almond
• Birch
• Anise

To learn more about how you can use essential oils to naturally treat your pet, visit CBDDogHealth.com or AngelaArdolino.com/Pets.