Which Essential Oils Are Safe For Dogs? (Pet Safety)
If you enjoy relaxing at home as much as we do, you may already be
familiar with essential oils.
For centuries, these aromatic essential oils have been
used to treat everything from insomnia to migraines. Aromatherapy and essential
oils are even becoming popular pain relief tools.
Diffusers are the best way
to experience essential oils. However, if you have a dog, you may want to
reconsider your essential oil usage. Dogs could be poisoned if you choose
essential oils that are toxic to them.
Our pets often cannot metabolize substances the same way as we do, so
even products labeled “all-natural” or “organic” are not safe for them. As a
result, they have difficulty eliminating certain toxins from their bodies,
including some essential oils. If ingested, inhaled, or applied topically,
these can be highly toxic to pets.
Which Essential oils are safe for dogs? If you are a worried pet parent and want to
diffuse pure essential oils for your pets, you should always consult a holistic
veterinarian or pet aromatherapist for more information. Several essential
oils are safe for dogs, including Myrrh, Frankincense, Chamomile, Lavender oil, and Ginger.
Which essential oils are safe to use around dogs?
Nature always knows what’s best. However, our beloved companions can
also benefit from holistic aids in the same way we do by boosting their
immunity and reducing aches and pains. Here are some beneficial
essential oils to help our dogs with common ailments:
Frankincense
Frankincense and myrrh have a long history. So it’s no wonder they’re on
the list of safe essential oils for our dogs. Let’s start with frankincense; it
promotes cellular health and immunity in dogs.
If they seem to be acting differently, say at doggie daycare, you might want
to consider frankincense to boost their immunity. They can also benefit
from it if they are experiencing upset stomachs due to stress.
Myrrh
Next up, myrrh. The oil is known to relieve skin irritations in pups. The
antiseptic and astringent properties of myrrh make it a great cleanser.
Applying it regularly could help clear up irritated patches of skin.
Chamomile
There are few things better than a comfy couch, a soft blanket, and a cup
of chamomile tea. Chamomile also has calming effects on our beloved
pets.
Say you’re house-sitting your bestie’s Maltipoo who’s causing your pal
some stress. Chamomile oil might be helpful. It soothes upset stomachs
and eases stress.
Chamomile oil added to your puppy’s water can also help him socialize
better at the dog park if he is generally timid or fearful.
Lavender oil
Lavender is another excellent alternative for calming a stressed-out pup.
Anxiety and car sickness can also be quelled with it.
Applying this essential oil to your furbaby’s ears is one of the most effective
ways to use it. Giving your pup a gentle rub can help get things started.
Ginger oil
Most essential oils have benefits both for humans and pets. For example,
dogs can benefit from a steaming whiff of ginger, just as we do when we
need to clear out our respiratory tracts or soothe our stomachs.
They can benefit from it if they suffer from digestive problems; it can also
help them breathe a little easier. Ginger may even help with joint pains. Our
favorite essential oils often serve more than one purpose, which is a
blessing in itself.
Which essential oils are toxic to dogs?
While there’s a myriad of essential oils that our beloved pups can benefit
from, there’s also a long list of oils that can be absolute toxins when they’re
ingested. Here are the most common ones:
Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang has a wonderful scent. Many of our favorite perfumes contain it
as an additive. But, in reality, it just makes our doggies loopy.
As a result, they may have difficulty breathing, experience a general feeling
of weakness, and, again, be forced to vomit the toxin out of their system.
Citrus oils
This, unfortunately, rules out a lot of our favorite clean-smelling household
scents. Many citrus oils induce the same symptoms. Your dog may vomit,
become lethargic, or even experience a seizure.
Pine oils
In the cooler months of the year, cinnamon and pine go hand in hand, but
not for our dogs. Pine is highly irritating to the skin, as well as to the
stomach.
If that happens, you may end up cleaning vomit or diarrhea from the corner.
But, sadly, pine’s horrors go further, causing liver damage and central
nervous system damage.
Tea tree oils
It’s interesting how tea tree oil can treat so many human ailments. As for
dogs, you shouldn’t expose them to this oil.
The severity of side effects can vary from minor ones like skin irritation or
vomiting to more serious ones like depression or paralysis.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil has a wonderfully aromatic smell that many humans love
and it is great for clearing our airways when we are suffering from the
common cold.
However the same cannot be said for our canine friends. Peppermint oil is highly
toxic to dogs if ingested, leading to many issues, some as drastic as kidney
failure. Because of this you should not diffuse peppermint oil in your home
if you have a pet dog.
How to tell if your dog is sick from essential oils.
When you try out a diffuser with your dog and notice adverse side effects,
you should stop using it right away (obviously) and take your dog outside
immediately for some fresh air. Look for:
Bloodshot, watery eyes
Watery nose
Sneezing
Coughing
Breathing problems
Drooling
There is redness around the lips, eyes, or nose
Rubbing the face or ears excessively
If your dog ingests anything toxic, it may become
lethargic, so don’t ignore an excessively sleepy dog.
Conclusion
In the end, you share your home with your dog! So you both should be
happy, healthy, and relaxed, even if that means compromising on smells.
There are lots of amazing smelling essential oils that you can diffuse
around your home that will be fine for your pets however there are also
many that you should keep away from.
Remember, if you are ever concerned about using essential oils in your
home you should always consult a vetinarian first.
