Your furry friends can enjoy the fresh scent of essential oils and many pure essential oils can do wonders to their health. Several essential oils can be safely used around canines to heal and prevent diseases. However, there are some essential oils that are known to be extremely toxic to pets. So if you are using essential oils for dog odor or for treating anxiety in rescue dogs then you must first make sure that the oils is safe for canines. Always exercise extreme caution when diffusing essential oils around cats and dogs. Keep an eye out for signs of toxicity such as dizziness, lethargy, excess drooling, vomiting, appetite changes etc. If these signs occur, do not hesitate to take your pet to the vet immediately.
How can essential oils be toxic to dogs?
Essential oils are volatiles oils obtained from leaves, bark, seeds, roots fruits and flowers of herbs and trees. Some of these oils are extremely harmful to dogs and cats. (We will shortly have a list of which essential oils are toxic to cats and dogs below). The highly concentrated oils are easily absorbed by the pet’s skin. These oils could contain compounds and chemicals that can trigger an immediate allergic reaction in your pet. Some of these chemicals are metabolized through the liver and could lead to liver failure. In cats, there is even greater danger since felines lack necessary enzymes for metabolizing these compounds. Also elderly cats and dogs or those having weakened immune system could be more sensitive to the harsh effects of essential oils for pets. Therefore, always check with an experienced aromatherapist about which oils to diffuse and ones to avoid when you have pets around you.
Risks of using essential oils bad for dogs
Essential oils are very powerful and like they have the power to heal, they also have the power to cause harm. Dogs’ bodies process essential oils differently and in some cases, they cannot process them at all. This can result in depressed nervous function, tachycardia, organ failure, slowed breathing and even death. Even some of the most benign sounding oils can also cause harm to dogs. For example, your pet might love chewing on basil leaves but the essential oil of basil, in its purest and highly concentrated form, can be fatal to your dog as it contains phenylpropanoids. Same goes with garlic. Garlic in small amounts is good for your pet but its concentrated oil can be harmful to him.
Are essential oil diffusers safe around pets?
You can use essential oils in multiple ways for your pets. Adding the essential oils to bath water and shampoos is a great way to administer essential oils safely in dogs. This way, the oils are greatly diluted. You can also mix the oil with carrier oil (coconut, olive, sweet almond oils) and apply it between the shoulder blades where your dog cannot lick it. This remedy is useful when you want to repel fleas and ticks. Thirdly, you can diffuse the safe essential oils around your pets. Always keep the diffuser safely out of reach of pets. Avoid using fire based diffusers to prevent fire hazards. Test the oil first before use. You can dip a Q-tip in the oil and place it near the dog’s nose. If he likes the oil, he will try to get more of it. On the other hand, if he runs away and hides or sneezes or tries to wipe off the smell by rubbing his nose on an upholstered piece of furniture, then the chances are that the oil is not right for your pet.
Remember: each pet is different and may have different reactions to the oils. What suits one dog may not suit another.
Which essential oils are toxic to cats and dogs?
All essential oils containing ketone and phenol constituents, methyl salicylate and monoterpene hydrocarbons are harsh or toxic to dogs. The oils that are not included in the following list of toxic essential oils may not always be safe to diffuse around your dogs. If you are unsure about a particular oil, always check with a holistic vet or aromatherapy practitioner.
- Cinnamon (bark and leaf)
- Clove (bud and leaf)
- Conifers (pine, spruce and fir)
- Basil
- Black pepper
- Carrot seed
- Camphor
- Oregano
- Pennyroyal
- Pine
- Sweet Birch
- Tea Tree
- Wintergreen
- Ylang Ylang
Essential oils that are generally safe around adult dogs
- Grapefruit
- Lemon Lime
- Tangerine
- Chamomile
- Lavender-Great essential oil for dog anxiety.
- Neroli
- Patchouli
- Rose
- Clary sage
- Jasmine
- Geranium
- Frankincense
- Cypress
- Petitgrain
These oils are generally safe to diffuse and use in diluted amounts topically.
How to use essential oils for dog odor?
During bath time, add a few drops of essential oils for dog odor such as Chamomile, Rosemary, Lavender, and Eucalyptus etc to the pet’s shampoo. Lather up your pet with this mixture and let it stand for 10 minutes. Rinse off as usual. You can also add a few drops of the best essential oils for dog odor to the final rinsing water and allow the pet’s coat to air dry.
In between baths, spray a few drops of following spray containing the best essential oils for dog odor
- 1 cup distilled water
- 3-5 drops of Lavender oil
- 2 drops of Eucalyptus oil
- 6 drops of Sweet orange oil
Add the oils to water and mix thoroughly in a spray bottle. Spray all over the pet’s coat in between bath times.
When used correctly, essential oils for dog odor and essential oils for dog anxiety can calm your pet and leave him smelling great all day. Now that you know which essential oils are toxic to cats and dogs, you can keep your pets safe, healthy and happy.
