Someone asked me about essential oils for pets, so I researched on various sites and I’ve tried to compile some information below. There is a lot of information and if you decide to try using essential oils for your pet, you can google something like “essential oils for dogs” and learn more.
I noticed a few cautions on using essential oils for pets, especially with cats, as you can use too much because the oils are so powerful—one site said the oils can be lethal to cats, while on another site a woman said she used the oils with her cat all the time. So I guess it is always best to test a small amount first to make sure your dog or cat does not have any allergic reaction.
The essential oils, however, can be a tremendous blessing to use for your dog. They are non-toxic, they are healing, can enhance the mood of your dog--plus they smell good! You don’t have to use toxic flea collars and other chemical laden products, things you would never think of putting on your body, so why put them on your dog?
Using essential oils for dogs not only helps keep fleas away, but can also improve your dog’s overall health and well-being. Instead of purchasing expensive treatments for fleas, itching, skin irritation and odor, you can try a few natural essential oils which can help to keep your pet bug-free, smelling great and happy.
Remember that it’s best if essential oils are diluted in a carrier oil like extra virgin olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, etc. One site suggests 1 drop of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. For small dogs it can be 1 drop of essential oil per tablespoon. With essential oils more is not better, especially with dogs who are smaller than us.
Animals respond to essential oils much the same as humans. For example, when we apply essential oils to our feet they absorb quickly into our bodies—when you apply the oils on your dog’s paws they absorb quickly into their bodies.
Here is some information from a website that makes essential oils sound pretty amazing:
When essential oils are diffused in a home, kennel or aviary, they purify the air by removing toxins, metallic particles and other harmful microscopic debris. They also increase the atmospheric oxygen of the air, and boost levels of beneficial ozone and negative ions which, dramatically inhibit the growth and reproduction of airborne pathogens. Further, as the odorous molecules drift to the various surfaces of each room (ie., ceilings, floors, walls, tiling etc.), they rapidly kill virtually all pathogenic bacteria, rifles, molds and fungi they come into contact with. And lastly, they completely destroy odors from mold, pets, cigarettes, and more.”
Diffused oils don’t just mask odors; they actually alter the structure of the molecules that create odors – rendering them harmless! They also increase the available oxygen in the room and produce negative ions.
Research at Weber State University shows that diffusing essential oils destroys airborne micro-organisms. Diffusing is so effective that many hospitals in England and France diffuse essential oils daily to keep incidences of drug-resistant bacteria low and to keep the air free from micro-organisms.
While diffusing essential oils will not stop an animal or even a person from being infected outside of the home, it does create an infectious-free zone of air within the home you can use to protect your loved ones. Breathing air diffused with essential oils attacks any virus or bacteria lining the respiratory tract which may have been inhaled outside of the infectious free zone. It also keeps the infection from spreading to other family members
Diffusing oils into a room with a sick pet or human family member with a cold or flu can actually cut their downtime by half or more! According to the experts, recovery can be accelerated by as much as 70%! And regular diffusion of essential oils can practically eliminate the normal change-of-season bouts with colds or flu. According to Dr.Valnet, “Many essences (e.g. cinnamon, pine, thyme, lemon) have marked effects on influenza, and human patients that have been treated with these essences seem to get through the winter without trouble.”
Here are a couple recipes I collected from some sites. Hopefully they’re effective! There are sites that sell already made blends for dogs. Remember to always shake well before each use and put your recipes in dark containers to protect the oils from light.
calming spray for a hyper dog
30 drops lavender
20 drops chamomile
4 oz. purified or distilled water
You can spray this around your dog and even on its coat. Lavender is a good essential oil to repel mosquitoes and fleas. You can also use this in the car with a nervous dog or any time your dog is overly energized.
flea, tick and mosquito repellent
Pure geranium essential oil is very powerful and effective. If used alone as a spray, you put no more than 4 drops per half cup of water. Put a light spray on the pet’s fur. You don’t need to get the fur all wet, as the bugs are repelled from the scent. Be careful not get the spray in your pet’s eyes, nose or mouth.
Eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender and geranium can help in the prevention of heartworms since they repel insects. You can make a homemade flea collar by putting a few drops of one of these oils on an ordinary webbed or rope collar, or even a bandana. You would need to refresh this about twice a week.
for skin
10 drops lavender
5 drops helichrysum
3 drops chamomile
20 oz spray bottle with pure water
You can spray your dog or cat with this solution after a bath to sooth eczema and other skin problems.
I don’t have a pet to try these tips on, but these were on a site and I hope they’re tried and proven…
-- A spray with cedar essential oil will keep fleas off the furniture, carpeting and wherever your pets may roam. You can use 10 drops per ounce of water and spray wherever needed. Reapply once or twice a month to keep the fleas at bay.
-- Get fleas off of your pets by adding 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil to your regular pet shampoo. Massage the shampoo thoroughly into the fur, reaching all the way to the skin. Allow to set for a few minutes. Rinse, and watch the fleas fall off.
-- Soak a nylon collar with a 50/50 solution of water and eucalyptus oil. Allow the collar to dry and then place it on your pet. It's time to redo your pet's collar when you no longer note the scent, generally every two weeks or so.
-- Soothe minor skin irritations by mixing 2 tbsp. of carrier oil and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Massage the oil mixture into skin irritations to help reduce itch, kill bacteria and even calm your pet's nerves.
-- Make sure your pets are protected from ticks before they head outside. Make a spray with clove essential oil and spray your dog before going out. This bug and tick repellent will work for you too.
-- Reduce the itchy dander plaguing your pet with patchouli essential oil. Mix 10 drops of patchouli to one ounce of carrier oil and massage it into the skin. You can add 20 to 30 drops to your pet shampoo.
-- Eliminate pet smells by using spray of bergamot oil, a natural deodorizer, two or three times a week on your pet.
One site suggests testing to see if your pet likes each scent by allowing them to sniff it. If the pet turns their head away, it’s better not to use that oil. Animals have a much keener sense of smell than people and may be upset by a very strong scent.
You can also put a few drops of these potent oils on your pet’s bedding periodically to repel flea infestation, particularly after laundering.
You can spray the oils on your carpet, (using a weak dilution in water) and your lawn.
Simple flea shampoo
12 ounces water
1 tablespoon castile soap
5 drops peppermint
5 drops eucalyptus
5 drops lavender
5 drops rosemary
You can use just one of these oils listed, or several. Each one is effective on its own. You can mix half aloe vera and half water to help soothe the skin. The most common insect repellants are citronella, cedar, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and lavender.
Here is a list of some ailments and what oils might help your dog from a site called “Earthy Family”. You can either make a blend of the oils, or use just one.
aggression: sandalwood, ylang ylang -- massage or diffuse
arthritis: juniper, birch, pine, thyme, rosemary, sandlewood -- massage
burns: lavender, rosemary -- massage around the burn
burrowing mites: lemon, lavender, marjoram -- massage
cancer: rosemary, ylang ylang -- massage
chorea (nervous system disease): lavender -- massage
colic: cinnamon, caraway -- massage over stomach
congestion: lemon -- diffuse
coughing: eucalyptus, myrrh, pine, tea tree, thyme -- massage or diffuse
cystitis (bladder infection): juniper, sandalwwod, ylang ylang -- massage
digestion problems: caraway, coriander -- massage or diffuse
diarrhea: cinnamon -- massage
eczema / itching: tea tree -- massage or diffuse
fleas: citronella – massage, diffuse, spray
gingivitis: lavender -- massage
grief: basil, bergamot, orange blossom – massage, diffuse
hyperactivity: Lavender, chamomile -- massage
hypersexuality: lavender, marjoram -- massage
infections: lemon combined with sage -- massage
insect bites / stings: tea tree – massage, spray
insects (discourage): eucalyptus, citronella, cedarwood, peppermint -- massage, spray
kidney problems: juniper -- massage
nausea: peppermint -- massage, diffuse
nervousness: chamomile, lavender, lemon, Neroli, marjoram -- massage
painkiller: lavender, marjoram -- massage, diffuse, spray
parasites (surface): cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary, lavender, peppermint -- massage
pneumonia: eucalyptus, hyssop, myrrh, pine, tea tree, thyme – massage, diffuse
respiratory symptoms: eucalyptus, thyme -- diffuse
ringworm: lavender, myrrh, tea tree -- massage
skin irritations: tea tree -- massage, diffuse, spray
sore throat: bergamot, hyssop, sage, thyme -- massage on throat
sprains: rosemary, juniper, birch -- massage into the area
travel sickness: peppermint, chamomile, sweet fennel – massage
Tumors: frankincense, lavender, clove -- massage
vomiting: peppermint, lavender, tarragon – massage, diffuse
worms: bergamot, thyme, marjoram -- massage
