Essential oils are renowned for their therapeutic value to humans. What is not as well known is that essential oils can be effective for animals in general and dogs in particular. When thinking about using essential oil for dogs it is important to recognise that not all essential oils are created equal and the quality of the essential oil will have a significant effect upon its worth to the animal.

The higher the quality of the oil, the more beneficial it can be to your dog. It is important to read the label and ideally look for essential all that are 100 percent pure, certified by reputable essential oil companies and preferably organic.

How using essential oils can benefit your dog

There are a variety of benefits that the right essential oil can have for your dog. Some of the more common benefits are listed below

• Behavioral issues like anxiety, stress caused by thunderstorm activity, and fear can be alleviated by use of lavender which is often cited as one of the essential oils to calm dogs.
• Allergic reactions: Is a complex area and it is recommended that a vet be consulted before embarking on any course of treatment.
• Ear Infections: dog ears should be cleaned regularly preferably with a natural ear cleaner. You can help to clear up any ear infections by applying a diluted solution of lavender, geranium, frankincense, and basil around the base of the ear.
• Uncomplicated Neoplasia: Otherwise known as abnormal growths may benefit from an application of frankincense and sandalwood. It is always best to consult with a veterinary oncologist in cases of Neoplasia.
• Seizures: may be treated with an oral dose of frankincense twice daily supplemented by some omega 3.
• Transitions: for new arrivals or between new homes can be quite stressful for your dog. To assist with overcoming the stress, a combination of lavender and myrrh can help the transition to be less stressful for all involved.

Other uses for essential oils for dogs include general health, liver support, kidney support and boosting of immune functions.

What essential oils are safe for dogs?

Before randomly exposing your dog to the potential benefits of essential oils, it is essential to understand what essential oils are safe for dogs. Dogs have an acute sense of smell which is much stronger than ours, so even natural scents may cause some adverse effects. .

That said, there are some wonderful natural remedies that some essential oils can provide dogs: Here are some essential oils safe for dogs:

Chamomile

Many of us are familiar with the calming soothing effects of chamomile tea. Similar calming effects can be provided to our four legged friends by providing them with a little chamomile oil. This can help calm their nerves and assist with settling upset stomachs.

Chamomile oil can also help to ease the nerves of shy or fearful pups and help make socialising with other dogs a little less traumatic.

Frankincense

We have all heard of frankincense - but most of us have little understanding of what it does or how it can work for dogs. Frankincense can have a positive effect on the health and immunity of cells If you are concerned about their exposure to other dogs, you may want to boost tier immunity with a small dose of frankincense. The oil is also known to support animal’s digestive tracts if they have an upset stomach.

Ginger

It is not that surprising that many of the benefits of essential oils available to humans transfer across to dogs. Ginger is a prime example, helping to clear out our respiratory tracts and soothe stomachs for both humans and dogs.

As well as helping with easing certain digestive problems and helping dogs to breathe easier ginger is also thought to help relieve joint pain.

Lavender

Lavender is another one of those essential oils to calm dogs. It is often effective in treating car sickness and anxiety.

One of the best ways to apply lavender to your dog is to gently massage it into the exterior of your dog’s ear. Is lavender safe for dogs? When applied topically, it most certainly is.

Peppermint

Just like us dogs can fall victim to seasonal allergies. A dog sneezing regularly is a possible sign of a seasonal allergy affecting their respiratory system. Used as a diffuser, peppermint can help support an animal’s respiratory system and make clear breathing a lot easier. Peppermint is also known to assist with easing joint aches and pains. As peppermint can be toxic to dogs if ingested, it should only be used in low amounts as a diffuser.

How to Administer Essential Oils to Your Dog

The two safest ways to administer essential oils to dogs are through topical application or diffusion. You can administer essential oils orally as well, but it is recommended that you seek advice from your vet before doing so.

Regardless of what method you choose, it’s a good idea to be mindful of a few basic points. A “natural” product is not necessarily beneficial. Nature has provided many varieties of poisonous substances. Be sure to check that the natural oil that you choose is not toxic to your dog. . It also helps to research the company offering the oil before investing in their products. Be sure to check that they have a solid reputation and provide the highest quality organic products

Finally, remember how sensitive a dog’s nose is. To say that a dog’s nose is more sensitive than ours is a gross understatement. A dog has 50 times more olfactory receptors in its nose than a human does. Keep this in mind and whatever method you choose, use a light touch as too much of a good thing may do more harm than good.

Topical Application of Essential Oil to Dogs

Applying an undiluted essential oil directly to your dog's skin is not the way to go about things. Even essential oils that are recommended for dogs can make them ill if applied directly. Successful healthy topical application requires the use of a carrier oil.. A carrier oil is simply a safe, lightly-scented oil that will help safely apply the essential oil to the dog's skin.

Commonly used carrier oils include coconut oil, aloe vera, and sunflower oil. To safely dilute an essential oil, use one drop of essential oil for each one and a half tablespoons of carrier oil. This will give you roughly a 0.25% dilution which should be safe.

Before fully applying the diluted solution, it will pay to conduct a patch test first.. Do this by applying the solution to an area of skin roughly the size of a ten cent piece. Watch the patch for a quarter of an hour and if your pet appears untroubled , you can then carefully proceed with the topical application. The ways to topically apply essential oil to your dog include

• Lightly patting along the spine - is generally considered to be the most effective and the easiest way to apply essential oil to your dog
• Ear tipping– as the name suggests is done by applying a diluted solution to the tips of the dog’s ears. This does not always work as some dogs will not allow this. The method should be avoided with long eared dogs. These breeds are likely to shake their head and in doing so risk getting the oil in their eyes.
• Paws – A heavily diluted solution can be effective when applied to the skin between the paw pads. This method is difficult to use with smaller dog breeds.
• Water misting – while not generally used with dogs it can be helpful if they don't like being regularly handled. Simply add a drop of oil to several ounces of water, shake, and use a fine spray on the animal.
• DIY – By adding the essential oil to products that you already apply topically. Common examples would include shampoo and coconut oil.
• Indirectly applying – by spraying bedding or another area that your dog frequently touches with an essential oil.

Using Diffusers to treat your dog with essential oil

Diffusers work similarly for dogs as they do for us. However, with dogs in particular we have to be mindful to only let the diffuser run for about ten minutes before letting the air clear for half an hour or so. To use, it is a simple matter of adding a drop or two of your chosen essential oil to a water-based diffuser.

To protect your dog or any other pet from accidentally swallowing any of these essential oils, place the diffuser in a safe spot where it won't be bumped and knocked over, making it easy to lap up. It is also a good idea to place the diffuser on the wall opposite to where the dog usually rests or sits.

Encouraging your dog to ingest essential oil internally

In most cases topical application of diffusion will be sufficient. However, there may be cases where it is necessary for a dog to take essential oils orally. It is recommended that a vet is consulted before embarking on this course of treatment. You can encourage ingestion in one of to ways

• Via capsule
• In wet food

What Essential Oils Are Toxic for Dogs?

While some essential oils can be beneficial to our canine friends, not all essential oils are healthy for dogs. Regrettably, there are quite a few essential oils that can be harmful to dogs if their system is exposed to their effects. Here are some of the essential oils toxic to dogs .

Citrus Oils

While citrus oils like lemon and lime have a wonderfully refreshing smell to our human noses they can have some serious repercussions for dogs. Dogs have been known to vomit, become lethargic and in some cases suffer from seizures when exposed to citrus oils. Avoid them

Pine

Pine oil is another essential oil that has a fragrance that we tend to associate with freshness and cleanliness. Unfortunately, pine oil can be both a skin and stomach irritant to dogs.

While from a practical point of view, this could mean that you spend some time cleaning up some messy piles of vomit or diarrhea, the dangers go far further. Pine can cause damage to both the liver and central nervous system.

Tea Tree Oil

While tea tree oil has many benefits for humans, the reverse seems to be the case for dogs as exposure to this oil can be quite harmful.

Symptoms resulting from exposure to tea tree oil can range from relatively minor issues such as skin irritation and vomiting, to serious complication including paralysis of the hindlegs in extreme circumstances.

How to Tell if Your Dog Has Been Poisoned by an Essential OiI

While we’ve drawn attention to some of the more harmful essential oils, there are many essential oils that could cause some adverse reaction in your dog. In most instances these reactions are likely to be temporary, particularly if you allowed your diffuser to run a toxic oil for a short period of time.

However, prolonged exposure to essential oils bad for dogs applied topically or through a diffuser, can cause poisoning. Some symptoms that may indicate poisoning include:

• General lethargy or weakness
• Signs of upset stomach including diarrhea and vomiting
• Unusual amounts of drooling
• The dog has difficulty walking
• The dog is experiencing evident tremors in the muscles.

If any of these symptoms are present, it is advisable to seek the assistance of an emergency veterinary clinic.

Essential Oils -Safe, Natural Care for Our Dogs

We hope this article has helped you to gain a better understanding of how essential oils can be used to help you care for your dog. The right essential oils are not only safe for your dog but they can help to improve the health and well being of your dog.. When safely administered you can help your faithful companion to thrive in a purely natural way,

At Buy Organics Online we ensure that the essential oils we select are produced by ethically responsible reputable essential oil companies that use organically produced oils.