20 Essential Oils for Dogs that Relax & Calm
Here is a list of 20 essential oils for dogs that can help keep them calm, relaxed, and happier. Ive also added how to use the below oils with dogs per the Animal Desk Reference II, which was written by Dr. Melissa Shelton. I primarily diffuse oils in our home using diffusers that I purchased on Amazon (URPOWER essential oil diffuser).
Fun Fact: Dogs have 40X more scent receptors than humans do, which means they can identify smells about 100,000X better than we can. Their world revolves around scent, and because of this, aromatherapy is the best choice for dogs.
Bergamot essential oil helps balance emotions, soothes panic, frustration, and irritability. It also reduces insecurity and loneliness, which makes me think that it may help a dog with separation anxiety.
Bergamot can be used with our dogs via…
Bergamot is a photosensitizing oil, which means that when we use this on our pets, we should limit sun exposure.
Cedarwood essential oil is another one of my favorites. Aside from repelling pests, this essential oil can have relaxing effects on your dog as it alleviates stress and anxiety.
When shopping for cedarwood essential oil, youll see Atlas and Himalayan. I purchase the Atlas because the Himalayan isnt commonly recommended for use with pets.
Chamomile (Roman) essential oil is great for calmness and soothes anxieties. I love chamomile so much that I also add the herb to my dogs dinners to help them relax at the end of the day. With regard to the essential oil, I prefer to diffuse it in the house or mist a diluted strength on the dogs using a spray bottle.
There is also a Chamomile (German), which is used differently with pets.
Citronella essential oil is so nice that I purchased a plant for my flower garden too. Usually known or repelling mosquitoes, citronella also helps us relax by creating a refreshing scent in your home.
Clary Sage essential oil as loads of benefits, but, for the sake of this post, its good to know that this oil is gentle, sedating aroma promotes calming for both humans and dogs. I diffuse this oil at least once a week and no only purchase 30 ml bottles because I love it so much.
Frankincense Boswellia Carterii essential oil (must be this version) promotes a calmer mentality and alleviates feelings of depression. Frankincense also amplifies other essential oils when used together as a blend.
There are several versions of Frankincense, the Boswellia Carterii is the version recommended for use with pets.
Geranium Bourbon essential oil is one of my favorites and it works well with balancing moods (PMS / Menopause anyone?), releasing nervous tension, and minimizing feelings of both fear and insecurity.
There are several versions of Geranium essential oil, the Bourbon is the version recommended for use with pets.
Lavender essential oil reduces stress, fear, shock, and agitation.
While I will diffuse lavender (or a lavender blend) in the room with my dogs, I wont use lavender essential oil on my dogs (with one exception) any longer because Ive learned that lavender is one of the most synthetically created oils on the market. So, unless its pure lavender, I wont use it on my dogs. I havent experienced a negative side effect with myself or my dogs when diffusing lavender.
The one exception is when buying products from Kin+Kind and 4-Legger. I trust these brands immensely.
Mandarin essential oil has a sweet scent is very relaxing, relieving your dog of panic, fear, and stress that can cause them to feel anxious. Diffusing mandarin essential oil creates an uplifting and soothing environment in the home and I often reach for it when my dogs are restless and when Im having trouble sleeping.
Sweet Marjoram essential oil is used to relax and ground your dog. It can soothe excess sexual energy, supports grief, and remediates digestive cramps.
Sweet Marjoram can be used with our dogs via…
Melissa essential oil is another expensive one and I only purchase it when my favorite provider is having a sale. It has a lot of amazing health benefits while also relieving depression, grief, and anxiety.
Myrrh essential oil has a warm, comforting earthy aroma and can help with pain (see your veterinarian) and promote a more relaxed mindset overall. I diffuse myrrh in our home to create a warm and calming environment.
Orange, Sweet essential oil is big in our home and it turns out that this is a popular essential oil. Its popularity is due to its calming fragrance, perfect for uplifting and diminishing anxious behavior within your dog. I diffuse this essential oil regularly, I use it when I make cleaning products, adding it to water when moping and dusting, and I use it as a fabric freshener (misting it on the furniture, dog beds, and bedding).
Orange, sweet is a photosensitizing oil, so if you do mist it on your furniture, know that any furniture regularly exposed to the sun may experience a color change.
Patchouli essential oil isnt just for hippies. This oil promotes calmness and Ive read that less is more and I believe it. Adding a couple of drops to a diffuser is all I need. Im still learning about this oil and limit my use to diffusing only.
Rose (or Rose Otto) essential oil is used to calm, stabilize, and reduce nervousness, fear, panic, and anger. Known for being a luxurious scent, rose is terrific at promoting relaxation and is evident in stabilizing the central nervous system. Rose is also one of the most expensive essential oils on the market. When shopping for rose essential oil, its imperative to choose the steam distillation oil, not a cheaper option.
As I said, Rose is expensive so its not an oil that I would use daily with our dogs. Instead, I would use it with our senior dogs when theyre having a tough day, or Id make a spray with it and wear it myself, around my dogs. That way, well all benefit.
Sandalwood (Australian) essential oil offers grounding, stress relief, and calming. Sandalwood curbs aggressive, irritable moods while improving sleep habits.
This is another expensive oil and due to the over-harvesting, its important to be careful about your sourcing because some areas of the world have listed sandalwood as protected to prevent extinction. According to Dr. Sheltons book, a company in Western Australia is cultivating and harvesting Santalum sandalwood.
Spikenard essential oil is another grounding and calming essential oil for dogs. It can guide emotional healing, making it ideal for people and dogs with PTSD. Also known as Jesus oil, I read that this is the oil that was used to anoint the feet of Jesus before the Last Supper.
Take care when it comes to sourcing on this one; this oil is derived from a protected plant so you want to make sure your source is reputable.
Tangerine essential oil is one of my favorites. It smells so good and puts a smile on my face whenever I add it to the diffusers around the house. I always thought citrus scents would energize everyone, but this one just makes us happy, which makes sense because Tangerine essential oil is great for depression, insomnia, and anxiety.
Valerian essential oil is ideal for skittish dogs who suffer from separation, noise, or new environment anxiety. It relaxes, reduces fear, and manages anxiety levels.
Ylang Ylang Complete essential oil works to reduce nervousness and insecurity, calm anxiety, alleviate depression, and acts similar to a sedative.
When shopping for Ylang Ylang oil to use with dogs, look for the “Complete” version. If its not clear which one this is, ask your supplier.
To make a spray, I often put 2 or 3 ounces of distilled water or organic witch hazel (available on Amazon) in a dark blue or amber glass bottle. Then, I add a few drops of my chosen oil or oils (such as lavender and cedarwood, or frankincense) to the water or witch hazel. I shake the bottle to blend it, and voilà: a homemade essential oil blend you can easily use as needed.
One of my favorite oils to use for promoting calm and relaxation is lavender. Pairing it with cedarwood kicks up the calming effects even more. Frankincense is another of my go-tos. Chamomile, orange, lemon, sandalwood, rose, and bergamot are also great choices. Young Living’s Valor, Valor II, Joy, Clarity, and Jasmine can be very uplifting while simultaneously easing stress. Oils such as Young Living’s Valerian, Vetiver, Peace & Calming, Ylang Ylang, and Acceptance are grounding and calming at the same time.
When it comes to using essential oils to help reduce your dog’s stress/anxiety, you have a bunch of different options. Feel free to use any of the oils I mention below (or experiment with other oils). They can be used alone or paired up with other oils—it’s fun to try different combos to see which works best for your pet. Remember, though, some oils can be harmful to cats, so if you have feline friends, do your research before using essential oils around them.
So there you have it: a safe, effective, easy way to ease your dog’s stress. You can use the oils as often as you want, and as an added bonus, they’ll help ease your stress too!
For you and me, holidays are a cause for celebration. Take New Year’s Eve, for example: The end of the old year and the ushering in of the new year (and the symbolic fresh start it represents) often fills us with joy, hope, and optimism. The 4th of July’s fireworks, parades, and the celebration of our country’s independence are all exciting. Halloween, with the costumes and the candy, is another favorite for lots of people. But for our dogs, maybe not so much. The constantly ringing doorbell on Halloween…the fireworks (both big and small) going off on the 4th…the break in routine and hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year’s…all of these can and do stress our dogs out. And it’s not just the holidays that can cause stress in dogs. Trips to the vet, the groomer, being left alone, thunderstorms, and a myriad of other things can send our furry friends into a nervous, jittery, frenetic state. They can get stressed—what most people refer to as anxiety. Now, just to be clear, if your dog is experiencing true, extreme anxiety, you should talk to your vet, as that’s a medical issue. But stress—the kind most dogs experience in the situations I mention here—can often be significantly eased or even eliminated with the use of high-quality essential oils (I use Young Living oils for my family and my dogs). And, given all the stress-inducers out there, I wanted to share some easy ways you can naturally and effectively calm your dog.
Essential Oils For General Anxiety
For general fear, try this recipe. It contains neroli, petigrain and lavender.
Use it in a carrier oil for topical use:
Carrier Base For Topical Blends:
Suggested Essential Oils:
Essential Oils For Anxious Dogs | Dog Training Nation
If youve ever used Wondercides Lemongrass Flea & Tick Pets + Home, youve already experienced the benefits of lemongrass essential oils. Theres just a small amount of the oil in our products to create that very pleasant citrus smell, but it is actually off-putting to fleas and ticks and can improve the condition of your dogs skin as well.
Another insect-repelling essential oil, citronella can be found in our Geranium shampoo bar for pets. Diffuse oil instead of using those store-bought citronella candles, and wash your dog with our shampoo bar for added anti-flea-and-tick power.
Peppermint oil is a great reliever when dogs are overheated. It can be used on long hikes and added (in a tiny quantity) to drinking water for internal cooling. As an analgesic, it can be used for acute injury as well. Love peppermint? Youll love our Flea & Tick Pets + Home Peppermint spray. So refreshing!
Peace & Calming is an essential oil blend that Blanca used successfully with her most recent dog Penney Lane, a chihuahua mix. Penney was a hyperactive dog who benefitted from the relaxing qualities of this oil blend. Its meant to be used for fear, anxiety, behavior issues, car rides, and excitement. Like lavender oil, it can be used in any times of stress and in new environments to help build your dogs confidence. It is useful when diffused or applied to something close to your dog, like their collar, blanket, or toys.
Blanca also suggests the essential oil blend Valor, which helps with fear, behavior, and training. It can also aid in the healing of skin masses, itching, allergies, and infections. Try it in a diffuser, on your pups collar or with topical application.
**Note: Essential oils must be used as directed and not all can be used topically on pets. The two most important aspects of essential oil safety are purity and proper dilution. Not all essential oils that are safe for dogs are also safe for cats. Please consult a holistic veterinarian before using any new essential oils with your pet.
** About Blanca D.: Blanca has a Masters in Education and a Bachelors in Comparative Linguistics. She turned to whole food nutrition after a bout with cancer in the mid-80s. She eventually used this newfound knowledge to switch careers and to become a therapeutic-grade essential oils expert, which she has done for the past 20 years. Her studies have included everything from studying Chinese herbal medicine to Live Cell Microscopy. Through her work with live blood analysis, she awakened to the powerful healing capabilities of organic herbs and therapeutic-grade essential oils. Her subsequent focus has been on the study of herbal remedies and aromatherapy for transforming the physical, spiritual, and emotional body.
“My life has been about educating people on the purest essential oils. They use no synthetics. Theyre unadulterated with the same properties of the plants they came from. Plants exude oil to protect themselves and help themselves grow. The essential oils have compounds that help us emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Essential oils are the life source of the plant. In my practice, I believe in treating the whole body. If youre having stomach problems, tell me about your stress. Changing the bodys beliefs is important for improving your health. And its the same thing for your pets. If your dog has the feeling that everyone with a hat is going to hurt him, then you need to rewire his brain so he doesnt attach to that past trauma. Feed them proper food. Give them enough exercise. Use the right (highest-quality) essential oils. We dont only have to be loving and caring but must be mentors to our pets. They learn from us and in turn, we are able to learn so much from them.”