Millions of people use essential oils on themselves, but are they safe for your dogs? Learn which are and aren't safe for your dog and how to use them...

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.

The answer isn’t so cut and dry. Some essential oils are perfectly safe to use around your dog, but others should be avoided.

So before you plug in those diffusers or uncap those rollers, let’s dive deeper into essential oils for dogs.

WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS ARE HARMFUL TO DOGS?

Some oils are 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 to dogs include:

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.

The good news is that there are some essential oils that are not only safe to use around your dogs, but can even be beneficial.

Here are some common pup-friendly essential oils:

Lavender -- one of the most versatile essential oils, lavender offers a calming effect and promotes relaxation

Cornmint -- great for skin and muscles, cornmint helps with pain relief and inflammation

Cedar/Cedarwood -- repels pests like fleas and ticks, promotes healthy skin, and has a relaxing effect

Bergamot -- Bergamot is calming and uplifting, while having antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for skin

Lemongrass -- aside from smelling citrusy and pleasant, lemongrass repels fleas and ticks while promoting healthy skin

Rosemary -- 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

Eucalyptus -- soothing and relaxing, Eucalyptus can provide respiratory relief, ease breathing, and help promote skin healing

Geranium -- with antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, Geranium essential oil is great for the skin (in addition to being mood-boosting!)

Citronella -- 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

Peppermint -- an analgesic, peppermint can be used to relieve minor injuries or added to water to cool dogs when they’re overheated

Chamomile -- can ease stress and settle upset stomachs

Ginger -- can settle upset stomachs and ease minor breathing issues

Myrrh -- 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...

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, rubbing 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

Promotes healthy skin/coat to reduce shedding

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.

Are there any other essential oils that your dog loves? We want to hear all about it in the comments below!


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Essential Oils and Dogs: Which Are Safe for Your Dog and How to Use Them | Pupford