Essential oils can be very powerful healing tools. But some can be very dangerous for your dog.
Lavender oil is a safe essential oil for dogs … but only when used with care.
Today I want to talk about all the ways that lavender oil can help your dog.
But first … Is lavender safe for dogs? And how should you use this essential oil?
How To Use Lavender Oil For Your Dog
When used incorrectly, lavender essential oil can be dangerous for dogs. Here are some things to consider before you use lavender oil on your dog …
Talk To Your Holistic Vet
Before you use any essential oil for your dog it is a good idea to talk to your holistic vet. They will be able to help you find the right oil and show you how to use it for your dog.
It’s also important that you tell your vet about any natural products you use for your dog … including essential oils. That way you can avoid interactions with other supplements or solutions.
Dilute The Oil For Topical Use
Unlike other essential oils, humans can use lavender oil undiluted on non-sensitive skin.
While this is also true of dogs and lavender oil, dogs have a much better sense of smell then our own … you don’t want to overwhelm them
- Almond oil
- Sesame oil
- Jojoba oil
- Avocado oil
- Apricot kernel oil
Kristen Leigh Bell, a Certified Master Aromatherapist recommends …
10 drops of essential oil to ½ oz of carrier oil
Use The Right Application Method
When using lavender essential oil on your dog, you do not want your dog to ingest the oil. It could make them very sick.
“With ingestion, various risks increase, including gastric irritation, interactions with conventional medications, and fetal damage in pregnancy. And long-term, depending on dose and frequency, there’s a risk of accumulation in the body, possibly leading to systemic toxicity. You may not notice anything, but some types of toxicity do not announce their presence in the early stages.”
– Robert Tisserand, Master Aromatherapist
Instead try these methods for using lavender oil on your dog …
- Direct inhalation (wafting the bottle under their nose or applying the oil to his collar or bed)
- Diffusion
- Mist sprays or hydrosols (topical or environmental)
- Topical
It’s also important to keep the bottle of essential oil and any mixtures out of your dog’s reach. This will reduce the risk of them getting their paws on it and ingesting it.
Let Your Dog Tell You What He Thinks
When using essential oils in your home, give your dog an escape route. Leave the door open when blending, formulating or diffusing so that he can leave if he wants.
Before using any oil on your dog, let him smell it first so he can get a sense of it. He will tell you he doesn’t like it.
Signs that your dog does’nt like the oil after smelling it include …
- Turning away or avoiding you
- Panting
- Whining
- Rubbing his face on the carpet
If he reacts with any of these, consider a different solution.
Start Small
When introducing a new essential oil to your dog, start by applying a small amount. Watch your dog to see how he and his body react.
If there are any adverse side effects, allergic reactions or signs of discomfort … consider a new solution.
What To Watch Out For When Using Lavender Oil For Your Dog
Allergic reactions to lavender pollen and essential oil are rare but it’s something you need to be aware of.
When starting out with any essential oil, start small and watch for signs that it isn’t a good match for your dog.
Here are some things you’ll want to watch out for …
- Rash where you applied oil
- Itchy skin
- Hives
- Sneezing
- Runny Nose
- Red eyes
If you see any of these symptoms, you’ll want to stop using the oil.
Lavender oil also doesn’t contain any antioxidants which means it may oxidize once opened … even if the cap is on. If you use oxidized oil, it can cause an allergic response. To prevent this, buy high quality oil and do not use it after it has been sitting for long periods of time.
Choosing The Right Lavender Essential Oil
When selecting a lavender oil, choose a high-quality oil from a reputable company.
This will help you avoid oils with contaminants and adulterants … additives which can cause adverse side effects or be less effective.
Like Lavender 40/42 essential oil … this is often a blend with other oils or synthetic linalyl acetate.
To find out if an oil is of high quality, reach out to the company. A company with a good product will be happy to answer any questions you may have. And they will provide a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) test when requested. This test will help you determine the purity of the oil.
Other things to look for include …
- Dark amber or blue glass bottles
- Latin names on the label (Lavandula for lavender)
- Lot and batch numbers
- Pricing that fits the oil (if the price is too good to be true, it probably is)
There’s no regulatory system in place for essential oils. If you’re new to essential oils or have some doubt about what to use … consult an aromatherapy expert or holistic practitioner.