Safe Essential Oils for Dogs
| Essential Oils | Properties & Uses |
| Bergamot | Antifungal, soothing. Excellent for ear infections caused by yeast or bacterial overgrowth. Caution: Can cause photosensitization. Avoid the sun after use. |
| Carrot Seed | Anti-inflammatory, tonic, with moderate antibacterial effects. Good for dry, flaky, sensitive skin which is prone to infection. Can rejuvenate and stimulate tissue regeneration, thus effective for scar healing. |
| Cedarwood | Antiseptic, tonifying, circulation-stimulating. Good for skin and coat conditioning and dermatitis of all types. Flea-repelling. |
| Chamomile, German | Anti-inflammatory, non-toxic, gentle and safe to use. Good for skin irritations, allergic reactions, burns. |
| Chamomile, Roman | Antispasmodic, analgesic, nerve-calming. Good for soothing the central nervous system. Effective for relief of muscle pains, cramps, teething pain. A “must-have” oil for dogs! |
| Clary Sage | Nerve-calming, gentle when used in small amounts and properly diluted. Sedates the central nervous system. |
| Eucalyptus Radiata | Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, an expectorant. Good for relief of chest congestion. Effective in repelling flea. |
| Geranium | Gentle and safe, antifungal. Good for skin irritations, fungal ear infections. Effective in repelling ticks. |
| Ginger | Non-toxic, non-irritating and safe to use in small amounts, properly diluted. Good for motion sickness, aids digestion. Effective for pain relief caused by arthritis, dysplasia, strains and sprains. |
| Helichrysum | Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, regenerative effects; extremely therapeutic. Excellent for skin conditions and irritations (e.g. eczema). Effective for healing of scars and bruises. Effective for pain relief. |
| Lavender | Very safe and gentle, antibacterial, anti-itch, nerve-calming. Good for many common animal ailments, e.g. skin irritations, first aid. A “must-have” oil for your dog! |
| Marjoram, Sweet | Strong antibacterial, calming, a muscle relaxant. Good for bacterial skin infections, wound care, insect repelling. |
| Niaouli | Antihistaminic, powerful antibacterial properties, yet less likely to cause irritation than Tea Tree. Good for ear infections and skin problems caused by allergies. A “must-have” for dogs! |
| Peppermint | Antispamodic, stimulates circulation, insect-repelling. Good for arthritis, dysplasia, sprains and strains. Works well with ginger to treat motion sickness. Another “must-have” for dogs! |
| Sweet Orange | Calming, deodorizing, flea-repelling. Caution: Can cause photosensitization. Avoid the sun after use. |
| Valerian | Nerve-calming. Good for treating dog anxiety such as separation and noise anxiety. |
DON NOT USES THESE OILS
Anise / Camphor / Hissop / Juniper* / White Thyme / Yarrow
Because of uterine stimulation or possible toxicity, avoid using these oils on dogs, especially on pregnant dogs. *The oil of Juniper berry is perfectly safe, but the Juniper wood oil is toxic to the kidneys.
Birch / Wintergreen
Some aromatherapy formulae found on websites suggest using the oils birch and wintergreen for joint pains caused by arthritis. However, dermal use of these two oils has been proven to be toxic as they contain high levels of methyl salicylate. Ingestion can cause severe poisoning and death.
Cassia / Clove leaf and bud
These oils can cause dermal irritation and possible toxicity to both people and pets.
Horseradish / Mustard / Tansy
Due to the pungent properties of these oils, they are considered to be hazardous and may cause severe dermal irritation.
Pennyroyal
Although this oil is effective in repelling flea, it is also highly toxic to the kidneys and the nervous system. It is also a known abortifacient. Avoid using this oil on pets and yourself!
Rue
This oil is a terrible photosensitizer.
Wormwood
Both the herb and the oil wormwood are toxic to pets and should be avoided at all costs, even though some people suggest using wormwood for treating worm infestation. There has been reports of wormwood essential oil causing renal failure in humans. It is also a known fact that wormwood causes seizures, and possesses very high oral and dermal toxicity.
Some Precautions When Using Essential Oils on Dogs
- Always use 100% pure, organic therapeutic oils on dogs (and humans). Do not use synthetic oils.
- Use only essential oils that are safe for dogs.
- Always DILUTE essential oils before using them on your dogs. A rough guideline is to add about 10-15 drops of essential oils to 1/2 oz. (15 ml) of carrier base oil.
- Use less amount of diluted oils on small dogs than on big dogs.
- Use less amount of diluted oils on puppies, senior dogs, and those whose health is compromised. When in doubt, start off with hydrosols.
- Check with a holistic vet before using any essential oils on pregnant dogs. In particular, do not use stimulating oils (e.g. peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, tea tree, niaouli) on pregnant dogs.
- Do not use oils on epileptic dogs or dogs who are seizure-prone. Some oils, such as rosemary, may trigger seizures (in humans too).
- Do not use oils in or close to the eyes, directly on or close to the nose, or in the anal or genital areas.
