Essential Oils for Pets: The Basics
Animals are much more sensitive to essential oils and they react to them very quickly. In most cases (except things like first aid) diffusing is more than enough. Never add oils to your pet’s food or treats.
A note about cats: Cats especially are highly sensitive to essential oils — I would skip topical application altogether and use hydrosols instead (see below for more information about hydrosols).
Also, if you are diffusing, make sure it’s in an area away from your cat. Cats cannot metabolize essential oils (even the air-borne particles released when diffusing).
If you are applying oils topically (something that should only be done rarely), only small amounts are necessary. Like people, the smaller the animal, the less oil and the more dilution is necessary.
Also, care should be taken when applying oils to the paws. For those beginning topical application with animals, it’s better to mix the carrier oil and essential oil, rub it in your hands then smooth it along your pet’s coat.
And definitely, avoid using “hot” oils like Oregano or Clove.
A topical application should be saved for those times when it is necessary – it shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. Topical application is appropriate in these instances:
Depending on the size of the animal, more or less dilution is necessary. And, when you are just starting, dilute heavily and watch your pet for reactions.
Here are the basic guidelines for essential oil dilution for pets:
We don’t use many oils topically on pets, but there are some that come in handy for basic first aid.
With just six essential oils you can be ready for all your animal first aid needs (not cats!):
Like you would for yourself or your family, it’s important to use high-quality oils, start slowly, dilute heavily, and watch for any reactions.
While essential oils are useful for animal care, hydrosols are a safer, more gentle option.
Wonder what a hydrosol is? It’s what remains after an essential oil has been distilled – the water and trace elements of essential oil.
While you have to be very cautious with essential oils, less care is needed with hydrosols. You can apply them topically and even add them to your pet’s water.
And they are the best option for your feline friends. Here are some useful hydrosols to keep on-hand for pet care:
If you want a deeper understanding of what’s best for pets – purchase this book: Essential Oils for Animals.
Tea Tree & Other Toxic Essential Oils
Recent reports state that tea tree oil may do more harm than good for your dog. If your veterinarian recommends tea tree oil, proceed with caution, and follow instructions precisely. However, if you feel uncomfortable with administering it, you can always ask your vet for an alternate treatment. Should you go forward with the treatment, you’ll want to know that essential oils, including tea tree oil, should never be given to your dog orally and should always be diluted. You should never administer essential oils without the consent of your vet.
Dilution is key when using essential oils, and it can be tricky to figure out the best dilution ratio. I prefer to use the motto ‘less is more’ when it comes to using essential oils on dogs and even myself. While there are many charts out there with dilution ratios, I find this one is best for use with dogs specifically. When using a new oil with a dog, I always start with a 0.25%-0.5% dilution. Dogs are so sensitive to all scents including essential oils that it’s best not to overwhelm them with an oil right from the beginning.
DISCLAIMER: The content of this website and community is based on the research, expertise, and views of each respective author. Information here is not intended to replace your one-on-one relationship with your veterinarian, but as a sharing of information and knowledge to help arm dog parents to make more informed choices. We encourage you to make health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with your vet. In cases of distress, medical issues, or emergency, always consult your veterinarian.
Diluting Essential Oils for Pets
Ahhh, eau de toilet is the scent of choice among canines everywhere. But, as an alternative to the real thing, are essential oils safe for dogs? Some but not all essential oils are safe for your pup. So it’s important to do your research before trying aromatherapy on your pup.
Some of the oils we discuss in this article can help with flea infestations, arthritis, and more. Don’t worry about purchasing them all. Depending on your dog, you may find that some make more sense for your pup’s unique spa experience and needs. Table Of Contents
Fleas can be tricky to get rid of, but essential oils are great for keeping them away. There are a couple of different herbal solutions you can use to de-flea your dog. Two of the most common oils used are lavender and cedar oil for dogs.
Dilute the oils in the water, then apply 5-10 drops to the bandana or collar. Reapply the mixture to the collar/bandana once a week. Apply more often if the collar gets wet from rain or swimming.
Dilute 1 or 2 drops of Cedar or Lavender Oil with at least 1 tablespoon of olive oil and place it at the base of your dog’s tail.
Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle. Mist your dog with the spray, but be careful not to get it in their eyes, ears, and nose (avoid the face in general). To get the area around their neck and behind ears, take a cloth, dampen it with the mixture, and wipe it on. You can also spray your pet’s bedding with this mixture.
Human skin can be very sensitive, and this is also true for dogs. So make sure you are using therapeutic grade essential oils on your dog’s skin (not aromatherapy grade or perfume quality). By using the wrong grade of oil, you could be causing more harm than help.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil (olive oil or coconut oil work great). The appropriate ratio for large to medium pups is 1 drop essential oil to 10 drops base oil, or for small dogs, it’s one drop essential oil to 25 drops base oil. Diluting the oil is vital because an essential oil’s strength is based on the human body, equal to a 100-pound dog.
The most discussed essential oil for dogs’ anxiety is lavender (it also works well for human anxiety). When diluted, Lavender oil is very safe and gentle for dogs. It can calm and soothe your dog by gently rubbing it into your dog’s ears, fur, and skin while giving it a nice massage. In addition, lavender oil for dogs has antibacterial and anti-itch agents. This is great if your dog has a skin irritation or needs first aid.
Studies are still underway, but early results indicate that CBD (the portion of the hemp plant that contains no THC) can reduce anxiety in pets and humans. It is a natural solution, and to-date, trials have found no real side effects.
Available as an oil that can be added to food or baked into dog treats, it is an easy solution to administer and one that we feel is worth trying. But, before you give it to your dog, be sure to check with your vet to make sure it is safe for your pet.
Coconut oil has many benefits for dogs. Coconut oil aids your dog’s digestion, improves their coat, and can help prevent infection. Below is a more extensive list of the benefits of coconut oil for dogs.
Coconut oil can be rubbed into your dog’s fur or ingested. But be careful. Introducing coconut oil into your dog’s diet takes time, and you must start with small amounts. Talk to your vet about adding coconut oil to your dog’s diet to see if it is okay and how much to give them.
Neem oil can help manage ticks, intestinal parasites, mange mites, and fleas. Also, it can improve your dog’s immune system, coat, and teeth. To achieve these benefits, many pet parents use neem shampoo on their dogs.
If your dog has an open sore, you should dilute the neem oil 1:10 in a light carrier oil like grape seed oil or almond oil. Then massage the solution into the skin. Feel free to apply it multiple times a day. If your dog has eczema or demodectic mange, dilute the neem oil 1:1.
It’s important that whenever you apply something onto your dog’s coat that you monitor the skin. If there is a bad reaction, wash it off immediately. Also, should you choose to put pure neem oil on your dog’s skin, you should leave it on for no more than 48 hours.