It's rainy season in Wisconsin, and our house is starting to smell more like our long-haired chihuahua than anything else. He's so close to the ground, a simple walk around the block leaves him muddy and soaked. I've been playing around with essential oils to find (both the safest for the dog and most pleasant smelling for the people) just the right combination. In the process, I discovered a few blends that work wonders on our little barking ball of fur.
Many products for our pets, available at pet stores and big box retailers, contain harmful/toxic chemicals. The same is true for the cleaning products we buy for our homes. We purchase these items as unsuspecting consumers, thinking we are doing our home environment a favor. In reality, we are creating a chemical storm. It brews and does harm to our skin, lungs, eyes, etc. Our fur babies are no exception when it comes to exposure to these harmful ingredients.
Why choose essential oils? First and foremost, they are not toxic to the body. They can offer support for your dog's emotional and physical well-being so they can live a long, healthy life. Essential oils are easy to use with dogs. Just like with yourself, your dog can inhale directly from the bottle, or your hand. Likewise, they can also be placed directly on their body (see below for dilution options). Essential oils also work quickly and effective to help your dog during a stressful situation, be it a car ride, a visit to the vet, or anxiety over the squirrel in the front yard. Essential oils can help promote concentration and focus, or help to calm during times of stress.
There are a few oils that aren't safe for dogs. Please be sure to read the manufacturers information on your essential oil bottles. If you have questions about the safety of an oil, please contact the manufacturer for more information. Other household pets may have more sensitive skin than your canine companion. Please use care with your essential oils.
The best essential oils on the market are therapeutic grade. Visit my previous post on essential oil brands to find which I think are most beneficial. When choosing an essential oil brand, keep in mind that you want oils that have been steam distilled as they do not contain any chemicals. They are expensive to produce and rarely used in over the counter pet products, but don't let that stop you. You are empowered to do what is best for "man's best friend".
As for dilution ratios, it's best to consider the size of your dog. A small dog, weighing less than 20 pounds, should be treated as a human child or toddler. A dilution of 30-90% of an adult human dose would be most appropriate (size dependant). Essential oils for larger dogs can be used similar to human adults, while keeping in mind that a dog in the 25-50 pound range can tolerate less than a large dog that is 100+ pounds.
You have several choices when it comes to using essential oils with your pooch. You can:
- apply directly at location
- place oil in your palm and then pet head to toe
- place oil where the skin is thin such as their belly
- smell right out of the bottle, or from your hands (as mentioned earlier)
If using as a dietary supplement, please make sure that you're using food grade essential oils. DoTerra is a great example of a food grade essential oil. You can encapsulate the essential oil, or apply it directly to your pet's food/water. If you don't know whether or not your essential oil is food grade quality, please contact the manufacturer before giving to your dog.
What essential oils are best for your dog? Lavender, any citrus (sweet orange, lemon, frankincense), vetiver, marjoram, ylang ylang, and many others all work well. Find the blend that best suits your own sense of smell. It's time to banish the wet dog smell from your home, too.
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