Safely Using Essential Oils with Dogs

Pet owners: If you are thinking about using essential oils, it’s important to take your pets into consideration. The last thing you want is to use essential oils that could be harmful to Max! Here are some tips on safely using essential oils with dogs. This blog post contains affiliate links.

Our furry friends are so important to us! We do everything we can to make sure we are taking care of our dogs, and that includes paying attention to our personal care products with essential oils. And although we love the positive effects of essential oils, we know certain essential oils might cause harmful effects on our canine friends. Some of the toxic effects include skin irritation, but others possess more serious risks such as liver damage. As dog owners, it is our responsibility to make sure we are safely using essential oil products. That being said, pet parents don’t have to miss out on the health benefits of essential oils, you simply need to be extra careful about where and how you use them and also make sure you are using the right oil that won’t cause issues for your dog’s health. Some oils such as pine oils and peppermint oil should never be used in the proximity of dogs. These are toxic essential oils for them and should be avoided in household cleaning products and essential oil diffusers. If you notice your dog having adverse reactions or symptoms of essential oil poisoning, such as difficulty breathing after the use of essential oils in the house, it’s best to take it to the veterinary hospital or contact the pet poison helpline as soon as possible. SAFELY USING ESSENTIAL OILS WITH DOGS Always check with your veterinarian first. If you’re ever in doubt about how to use essential oils safely with your dog or other pets, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet. Make sure that you dilute essential oils when your dog is nearby. Undiluted essential oils are too strong for humans to breathe in, let alone animals. If you are planning to create an air freshener or use your favorite essential oils for any other household purposes, do your research ahead of time and dilute your essential oils more than you normally would to prevent respiratory problems. Normally, using fewer drops of essential oil should do the trick. Never use essential oils in your dog’s food or water. Although you might have read online that they are safe to use to help treat digestive issues or other ailments, they are not safe for consumption. In addition, avoid using essential oils to clean your dog’s food or water bowls. Be sure to dilute essential oils before applying essential oils to your dog for topical remedies. If your dog has skin conditions, wounds, arthritis or any other health conditions that you want to try to treat with essential oils, you will want to make sure that you’re diluting your oils properly. A general rule of thumb is to dilute so that your essential oils only make up one to three percent of the solution. Use caution when using essential oils to get rid of insects. If you’re planning to use essential oils outdoors or indoors to eliminate the insects in your home, be sure to keep your dog’s safety in mind. It’s important to make sure that you not only dilute the essential oils but also choose ones that won’t harm your pets.

Know that all carriers are safe for dogs. No carriers are known to be an unsafe option for Fido. Coconut oil and olive oil are both great options. Aloe vera might also be a good choice, depending on what you’re hoping to treat. Be sure to do your research ahead of time. While certain essential oils such as lavender oil are dog-friendly, others can be harmful or even toxic to your pup. This is why it’s so important to do your research any time you plan to use essential oils on or around your dog.

WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS ARE SAFE FOR YOUR DOG?

There are a variety of pet-safe essential oils. Some popular essential oils that are safe to use on your pet and pet products include:

• lavender essential oil
• nutmeg
• orange
• Frankincense
• lemon
• Angelica root
• Bergamot
• sandalwood
• spearmint
• eucalyptus oil

Additionally, it’s important to use only pure essential oils, as the additives in essential oils that aren’t pure may be harmful to your pup. So, which essential oils are not safe to use on or near your dog? The following list of essential oils are not safe for dogs:

• Peppermint
• tea tree oil
• sweet birch
• garlic
• pine
• wintergreen
• cinnamon oil
• pennyroyal

However, keep in mind that this is not a full list, which is why it’s important to do your own research ahead of time. Not only will you want to avoid topical application of these essential oils on your pet, but you will also want to avoid diffusing them or using them throughout your home. Keep them out of reach and avoid petting your dog if you’ve touched any of these essential oils and haven’t washed your hands. These are just some things to keep in mind about safely using essential oils with dogs!

MORE TIPS FOR PET OWNERS

• Are you looking for a natural way to prevent your precious pooch from catching fleas? Then try these essential oils for fleas.
• Is clary sage safe for cats? and other common questions regarding pets and essential oils.
• This homemade carpet stain remover is the best way to get rid of our pets’ messes.
• If you don’t happen to have any pets at all, but want to become a pet owner – here is some advice on picking the animal that is best for you and your family!
• Make your own dog treats!

Do you have a dog? What’s their name?