Essential Oils for Dogs

There are some essential oils that should never be used on animals such as: Anise, Clove, Garlic, Juniper, Thyme, Wintergreen, or Yarrow.

Some that can be safely used include: Cedarwood, Roman Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary and many, many more.

For dogs, essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, from bathing to calming the nerves with spray and salves for skin irritations like hot spots and scrapes. And please keep in mind; dogs cannot tell you what is or is not working. You must closely watch their reaction during and after application. Giving essential oils internally is not generally recommended. Do not use any oils on medium to large breed puppies under 8 weeks, or small or toy breeds under 10 weeks.

Cats are extremely sensitive to essential oils. Even dispersing oils in the air or using them as cleaning agents around the house can be harmful. Make sure your cats has a way to escape into another room. Oils should never be used topically on cats because of their liver's inability to process them.

Note: Check under your dog’s collar regularly. Some dogs are sensitive to certain essential oils and may develop skin irritation from wearing a collar infused with them. If you notice irritation, try switching oils until you find one that agrees with your pet’s skin.

Essential Oil Flea Collar – Bandana (roll up a bandana, have several on hand, wash, replace and recharge every other day)
Since essential oils often work better when combined, here is a recipe you can mix and spray or drop on to your dog's collar or bandana:
Combine 1/2 teaspoon of SD 40 alcohol with;
1 drop eucalyptus essential oil
1 drop cedar wood essential oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
1 drop citronella or lemongrass or lemon essential oil
1 drop peppermint essential oil
Or use a nylon or cotton collar and soak for 1 hour in…
½ cup SD 40 alcohol
10 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
5 drop lemon essential oil
5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Remove from mixture and let thoroughly dry before placing on your dog. Recharge and or replace with fresh collar 2 to three times per week.

Essential Oils as a Repellent - Mix up the following repellent solution and brush or massage it into his coat a few drops at a time. Pay attention to behind the ears, neck, groin and base of tail.
1 tablespoon of almond oil as a carrier
14 drops of lavender essential oil
3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil

Essential Oils as a Home Spray
6 to 8 oz. water
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
5 drops lemongrass, lemon or citronella essential oil

For a very effective yard spray add 10 drops of Rosemary and 15 drops of Lavender Essential Oils and add a small amount pet friendly cleaning agent such as Nature's Miracle. For a little extra deodorizing power you can add a small amount of plain white vinegar as well. Adjust the quantities above for the size of the area you want to spray. Spraying once or twice a month on a regular basis will get you the best results.