Are Essential Oils Safe Around Dogs?

I talk a lot about using essential oils with my dogs. It's familiar and comfortable to me, but it may not be for you. There are myths and misconceptions that give you pause, right? I get that. Your dog is a precious member of your family and you don’t want to do anything that harms them.

I’m here to assure you that YES, you can safely use Young Living essential oils on and around your dog for their benefit and not detriment. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

Before I continue, I need to clarify one thing: When I’m speaking of essential oils, I am ONLY referring to Young Living essential oils. In a world where companies are popping up all over the place to make a bottom dollar and join the fast growing market, Young Living has been around for more than 30 years and is the leader in the essential oil world. They have a SEED TO SEAL promise of purity which sets them apart from all the others. With that being said, if you’re not using Young Living, I would agree with your hesitation and fears of using essential oils with or around your dog.

How To Start

Generally speaking, your dog will let you know if they don’t like an essential oil.

Here's how:

Let's say your dog is nervous and you would like to use lavender essential oil to help calm him or her.

The first thing you will do is set the bottle of lavender close to your dog. Watch for their reaction. If they turn away, leave or avoids you, remove the bottle and try it again another day. Don’t force the an oil upon your dog, as it can cause stress.

However, If your dog doesn't react, or shows interest, that is a a green light to proceed. Rinse and repeat this process for every new essential oil you introduce.

Ten Safety Tips

Once you find a set of essential oils to use with your pet, you’ll want to keep these safety tips in mind.

1. If you choose use a diffuser around your dog, always leave an "escape" path. Never close a dog in room or space if you are unsure of how they feel about an aroma.

2. Each species has varying levels of liver function, which means oils high in phenol, monoterpene, and ketone should be used sparingly - especially with felines.

3. Angelica, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Tangerine, and other citrus oils are photosensitive and may cause a rash or dark pigmentation on skin that has been exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays within 1-2 days of application. It is best to dilute these oils or stick to diffusing them.

4. Keep essential oils away from the eyes and never directly put them in the ear. If oils do get into the eyes, use a carrier oil to remove them. (Not water)

5. If your dog is pregnant or nursing, it is best to consult a holistic veterinarian health care professional when starting any kind of essential oil usage.

6. Use extra caution when using essential oils around dogs with known allergies, high blood pressure, or a diagnosis of epilepsy. You may want to consult a holistic veterinarian for guidance.

7. Before using essential oils internally with your dog, test their reaction by diluting 1 drop of the oil in 1 teaspoon of coconut or olive oil like olive oil. Wait a few days and look for any abnormal behavior or reaction.

8. When adding essential oils to bath water, use a dispersing agent first. Use bath salts or liquid castile soap to help the oils mix in rather than float on the surface, which can cause discomfort to the animal. (I love using and diluting a comination of liquid Castile soap and the animal scents shampoo- it already has essential oils mixed in!)

9. Start with a small amount of essential oil and allow your pet to adjust, especially if it has regular exposure to toxins like synthetic fragrances and animal care products, medications, or diet. Detoxification is a characteristic of essential oil usage and can be uncomfortable; take things slow to allow your dog's body to adjust.

10. To avoid scent overload or detox reaction, try to limit the amount of different oils you use at a time. Try singles first and dilute further if needed.

In summary, when introducing essential oils into your home GO LOW and SLOW. And please remember, a dog’s negative reaction to ONE essential oil, doesn't mean they will respond the same to ALL of the oils or that they will never like that particular oil. Their likes or dislikes may change and so will their needs.

What Now?

1. Start diffusing and introducing your dog to all the health benefits of essential oils today. Young Living has a starter bundle of 12 essential oils and a diffuser that will benefit both you and your pup. Bundles are always the best deals! Get your bundle here.

2. Young Living also has a line of essential oil products made just for your precious pup! Be prepared and ready before a need arises. Click the link and take the guess work out of where to start.

ANIMAL SCENTS PRODUCTS

Dog Treats

Ingredients

1 cup natural peanut butter (no sugar)
1 tsp coconut oil
2 drop cinnamon vitality

Instructions

Place the coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted. Add peanut butter and stir until mixture is completely smooth. Mixture should be thick but pourable. Remove from heat and add essential oil; stir well. Pour mixture into silicone molds and freeze until set. Carefully remove from tray and store in air-tight container in freezer. Note: You can adjust the coconut oil based on your dog’s weight. General rule of thumb: 1 tsp of coconut oil per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight.

DIY Pup Toothpaste