Whether it’s for relaxing aromatherapy or a natural way to repel bugs, millions of people use essential oils daily. And like many other things you have around your house, you might be wondering if you can use them for the same purposes on your dog, too. Because here's the truth, some essential oils are safe for dogs, and others are bad (or potentially toxic) for them.
In this article, we will cover which ones are bad, which ones are dog-safe, and other important information about the use of essential oils with your dog.
So before you plug in those diffusers or uncap those rollers, let’s dive deeper into essential oils for dogs.
⚠️ Safety Disclaimer for Essential Oils & Dogs ⚠️
This article should be seen as a guide; please consult your vet with specific questions or concerns. This is especially true if your dog has other known health conditions.
Essential oils should be used sparingly, with caution, and should not be ingested by dogs. Dilution is key to safe essential oil use. If you're unsure, do NOT use essential oils around your dog!
WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS ARE BAD FOR DOGS?
Some oils are very bad or even toxic to dogs and cause a sleuth of adverse effects including breathing problems, muscle tremors/weakness, fatigue, rash, redness and burns, vomiting, and even collapse.
Note: if your dog shows any of these signs at any time, stop what you’re doing and contact your veterinarian immediately!
Some common essential oils that are harmful or bad for dogs include:
- Anise
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
- Clove
- Garlic
- Juniper
- Pine
- Thyme
- Yarrow
- Tea Tree
Keep in mind this isn’t an exhaustive list, so be sure to do your research before you use a new essential oil. Your best bet is to call your vet and ask them the risks and benefits before you use any oils.
🐶 When you want to improve your dog's skin and coat and leave them smelling fresh and clean, you need Sudsy. An all-natural dog shampoo bar with safe & effective essential oils! Get it here! 🧼
WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS ARE SAFE FOR DOGS? 12 DOG-SAFE ESSENTIAL OILS
The good news is that some essential oils are safe for your dog! Plus, these oils can actually have some great benefits for your pup.
Again, this isn’t an exhaustive list, so be sure to do your research before you use new essential oils and consult your vet!
Here are some common dog-safe essential oils:
- Lavender (should not be ingested and should be diluted)
- Cornmint
- Cedar/Cedarwood
- Bergamot
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
- Geranium
- Citronella
- Frankincense
- Chamomile
- Ginger
- Myrrh
Let's break down each safe oil a little more below! ⤵️
LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL FOR DOGS
is typically considered safe for dogs but should not be ingested and should also be diluted.
Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils, lavender offers a calming effect and promotes relaxation! It can be a very pleasant scent to use in your home.
CORNMINT
is also safe to use around dogs. It is great for skin and muscles, and cornmint helps with pain relief and inflammation!
CEDAR/CEDARWOOD OIL FOR DOGS
Cedarwood has powerful properties and is considered safe for dogs.
helps repels pests like fleas and ticks, promotes healthy skin, and has a relaxing effect!
BERGAMOT OIL IS SAFE FOR DOGS
Bergamot is calming and uplifting while having antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for the skin!
🐶 When you want to improve your dog's skin and coat and leave them smelling fresh and clean, you need Sudsy. An all-natural dog shampoo bar with safe & effective essential oils! Get it here! 🧼
LEMONGRASS OIL & DOGS
Aside from smelling citrusy and pleasant, lemongrass repels fleas and ticks while promoting healthy skin.
ROSEMARY OIL
, in moderation (just like all essential oils), is commonly safe for pups.
It's a well-rounded oil! Rosemary essential oil stimulates healthy hair growth, repels bugs, and helps increase circulation which is important for healthy skin and coat!
Note: Rosemary can cause seizures in pets with known seizure disorders.
GERANIUM
Geranium is another dog-safe essential oil.
With antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, the is great for the skin (in addition to being mood-boosting)!
CITRONELLA
It is one of the most effective oils for repelling fleas, ticks, and other bugs!
FRANKINCENSE
A less potent oil, Frankincense can be used for many things. For dogs, it’s most commonly used for its antibacterial property during grooming!
CHAMOMILE
is considered a dog-safe essential oil.
It can ease stress and settle upset stomachs!
GINGER IS SAFE
It can settle upset stomachs and ease minor breathing issues!
MYRRH
is another dog-safe essential oil.
With its antiseptic and astringent properties, Myrrh can be used to soothe and heal skin irritations!
Again, your best bet is to check with your vet before using any essential oils on your dog. They’ll give you tips for the best and safest way to use them, which brings us to our next section...
🐶 Check out Sudsy, an all-natural dog shampoo bar with safe & effective essential oils! Get it here! 🧼
HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR YOUR DOG
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There are ways to use essential oils safely for your dog. Just a few things to keep in mind:
- Understand purity/dilution -- While you definitely want to have the purest form of essential oil to use on your dog, more is not always better. In fact, many oils can be harmful if applied directly, so diluting them is essential. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t be using oils that are more potent than 3-6 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.
- Think about the other members of your household -- Dogs may not be your only animal friends at home. Some oils that are safe for dogs are not safe for other pets, like cats. Be mindful of which oils you use and how you use them to make sure it’s safe for everyone at home.
- Use topically -- The safest way to use essential oils for dogs is by infusion or topical application. You can either put the diluted oil on your hands and pet your dog, rub the oil onto the skin, or mix it into their bath products.
We wanted to give dog parents a way to give their dogs the benefits of essential oil that was easy and enjoyable, so we created the Sudsy shampoo bar for dogs.
Sudsy contains the following essential oils: lavender, cornmint, cedarwood atlas, bergamot, lemongrass, rosemary, eucalyptus, and geranium. It also has ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, and coconut oil to bring the following benefits to bathtime:
- Kills bacteria and heals sores or hot spots
- Helps repel bugs
- Promotes healthy skin/coat to reduce shedding
- Leaves your pup smelling super fresh!
Having your dog’s shampoo in bar form also makes bathtime quicker and less messy, while eliminating the need for a wasteful plastic bottle -- the best of both worlds!
You can read more about the Sudsy shampoo bar for dogs here.
🐶 When you want to improve your dog's skin and coat and leave them smelling fresh and clean, you need Sudsy. An all-natural dog shampoo bar with safe & effective essential oils! Get it here! 🧼
BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DOGS
While 'best' is often subjective, there are 3 essential oils that are the most popular and effective for dog use. Again, as a disclaimer, oils should be diluted and never ingested by dogs.
Here are 3 of the best essential oils for dogs:
- Cedarwood
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
A quick recap of each one below. 👇
Cedarwood is helpful in repelling fleas & ticks and helps promote healthy skin. .
Lavender offers a calming effect on dogs and promotes relaxation. .
Lemongrass is popular for dogs because it also helps repel pests and bugs and promotes healthy skin. .
ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR DOGS + BAD ONES RECAP
Essential oils should be used with caution, even with "dog-safe" options! It is best to consult your vet when you have specific questions about essential oils.
As a quick recap, here are essential oils that are bad for dogs 👎
- Anise
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
- Clove
- Garlic
- Juniper
- Pine
- Thyme
- Yarrow
- Tea Tree
And, of course, here are essential oils that are safe for dogs 👍
- Lavender
- Cornmint
- Cedar/Cedarwood
- Bergamot
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
- Geranium
- Citronella
- Frankincense
- Chamomile
- Ginger
- Myrrh
Here are our favorite 3 oils for using around pups (click the link to shop each one).
Are there any other essential oils that your dog loves? We want to hear all about it in the comments below!
And seriously, do NOT miss out on trying Sudsy. It's quickly become so many pup parents' new favorite shampoo options for their dogs! Shop Sudsy here.
🐶 Check out Sudsy, an all-natural dog shampoo bar with safe & effective essential oils! Get it here! 🧼
