Safe essential oils for dogs

You understand the health benefits of essential oils. But can our furry friends safely handle the naturally derived and typically pleasantly aromatic oils extracted from stems, seeds, roots, and flowers? Are there dog-safe essential oils?

The answer is it depends on the essential oil.

The American Kennel Club best describes dog-safe essential oils’ positive impact on dogs and humans. “Preliminary research suggests that these potent oils may have some health benefits for dogs and humans, and many holistic veterinarians incorporate essential oils into their practices.”

Because of the growing evidence supporting administering some essential oils to our furry best friends, many dog lovers have turned to essential oils to enhance their four-legged companions’ health and overall well-being.

Overview of using dog-safe essential oils

It is crucial to understand which essential oils are safe for our dogs, as well as note that every dog breed is different in how it reacts to various essential oils. To ensure the best possible life for our canines, we need to remember one crucial axiom concerning the use of essential oils: A little bit goes a long way in delivering health benefits for dogs.

Here are a few additional tips for using essential oils:

• Administer in an open area, preferably outdoors
• Introduce one essential oil at a time
• Give it in low doses
• Closely monitor your dog’s behavior, especially in regards to an allergic reaction
• Do not diffuse or topically apply an essential oil near other types of pets

Why coconut oil is beneficial for dogs

Coconut oil not only tops our list of dog-safe essential oils for dogs because of its widespread popularity among dog lovers. We also love it because of the numerous canine health benefits offered by using the essential oil.

Coconut oil produces a healthy coat and skin, which is critically important for long-haired dogs. It eliminates eczema and reduces allergic reactions to other indoor and outdoor stimuli. Coconut oil also helps reduce the skin irritation triggered by hot spots, dry skin, and insect bites. By increasing the absorption rate of nutrients, coconut oil bolsters the immune system of dogs, as well as enhances the digestive system. Coconut oil also balances insulin production and encourages the standard function of the thyroid.

Can I add coconut oil to my dog’s food?

Many dog lovers want to know what is the best way to administer coconut oil for our canine friends to enjoy maximum health benefits. By mixing in a quarter teaspoon in your dog’s food, you can use coconut oil to optimize your best friend’s health up to two times per day. If your dog is overweight or worse obese, then you should stick with a one-time-a-day regimen for mixing coconut oil in your dog’s food.

CBD coconut oil

There are great Coconut Oil products infused with CBD to help your dog’s anxiety. Make sure whatever CBD products you choose for your dog; it is lab tested and pet approved.

For example, produced by using Vermont-raised hemp that is organically cultivated to infuse with coconut oil, Sunsoil CBD Coconut Oil is considered a vegetarian product that is also gluten-free. Lab-tested daily for quality and consistency, the coconut oil possesses a THC level below 0.3%.

Is lavender oil safe for dogs

Lavender oil is another essential oil that has undergone numerous tests to prove it is safe and gentle for canine consumption. It is especially helpful for canines that experience acute anxiety. If you plan a long-distance move or think you might introduce something into your dog’s world that will make it nervous, then lavender oil is a viable option for reducing anxiety levels.

You should quickly notice a calming and soothing effect by softly rubbing the essential oil into the fur surrounding your dog’s ear. Moreover, lavender oil for dogs possesses agents that reduce or eliminate itches and unhealthy bacteria.

Is omega oil good for dogs?

As with their human companions, Omega 3 Fatty Acids represent a highly popular nutritional supplement for canines.

When infused into an essential oil, Omega 3 Fatty Acids improve skin condition and reduce the likelihood of a dog suffering from an allergic reaction. Omega oil improves the kidneys’ function and reduces the chances of contracting heart disease.

Research is still being conducted about the health benefits of Omega oil for dogs.

Still, early results indicate dogs benefit from the consumption of Omega oil is many of the same ways humans benefit from using the essential oil.

Is tea tree oil dangerous for dogs? 

Although many types of essential oils provide health benefits for our furry friends, there are a few essential oils that only humans should use.

This is particularly true when dangerous essential oils are administered in concentrated forms. One type of dangerous essential oil is called tea tree oil. Some dogs can handle topical administration of tea tree oil for treating skin conditions, but in most cases, canines do not handle the use of tea tree oil very well.

According to a widely released report issued by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, there have been many cases of tea tree oil-producing toxicity in both dogs and cats. Data for the report was accumulated over 10 years by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Can essential oils be harmful to pets?

As a dog owner, you take extra care not to expose your furry friend to toxic health environments. In addition to tea tree oil, what other essential oils for dogs should you avoid using?

Here are the essential oils that present the highest risk for canine toxicity:

• Citrus
• Tea tree
• Sweet birch
• Cinnamon
• Peppermint
• Wintergreen
• Pine
• Ylang ylang
• Pennyroyal

If you believe your dog has suffered from an adverse reaction to consuming any essential oil, you need to act with urgency. The bad response can come from ingesting or inhaling essential oil.

Immediately contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4425 to learn how to mitigate the unhealthy symptoms caused by the canine consumption of essential oil.