So you want to try using essential oils on your dog, but there are so many essential oils! Not sure which ones to choose from? Unsure whether Peppermint oil or Eucalyptus oil are safe for your dog? How about tea tree oil?
That's why I have compiled a list of safe essential oils for dogs here. As you can see, there are actually quite a few dog friendly essential oils to choose from!
Carrot Seed (Daucus carota)
This oil is good for dry, flaky, sensitive skin which is prone to infection. It can also rejuvenate and stimulate tissue regeneration, so it is a good oil to use for scar healing. (NOTE: This oil should NOT be used with pregnant dogs.)
Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)
Cedarwood is antiseptic, tonifying, and it can stimulate blood circulation. It is good for skin and coat conditioning and dermatitis of all types.
In addition, it has flea-repelling effects so cedarwood is a good and safe oil to add to any flea-repellent blend for dogs.
Chamomile, German (Matricaria recutita)
German Chamomile essential oil is anti-inflammatory. It is gentle and safe to use on dogs.
This oil is very effective in controlling skin irritations caused by allergies, eczema, rashes, etc. It is a good oil for healing burns as well.
Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
Roman Chamomile has different properties than German Chamomile. R. Chamomile is antispasmodic, pain relieving, and nerve-calming.
It is very gentle and is an excellent oil to use for soothing and calming anxious dogs. It is also effective for relief of muscle pains, cramps, puppy teething pain.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Clary Sage also has calming effects - it can sedate the central nervous system.
It can be used to calm dogs with anxiety, but should only be used in small amounts and properly diluted. (NOTE: This oil should NOT be used with pregnant dogs.)
Eucalyptus Radiata (Eucalyptus radiata)
Eucalyptus essential oil is antiviral and anti-inflammatory. It is also an expectorant, so it is an excellent oil for use to relieve chest congestion.
If your dog is suffering from an upper respiratory disease, such as a bout of kennel cough, and is coughing and having trouble breathing smoothly, this oil may help.
There are various types of Eucalyptus oils. Two common ones are Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus radiata.
E. globulus has a stronger and harsher scent. Since dogs have a much more sensitve sense of smell, many may find E. globulus overwhelming!
On the other hand, E. radiata has a milder scent (and milder chemically-speaking as well), and I recommend using this oil with dogs.
Diluted properly, Eucalyptus radiata essential oil is safe for dogs (with the exception of small dogs and puppies), both topically and for inhalation. Be sure NOT to let your dog ingest this oil though. (NOTE: Avoid using this oil with small dogs and puppies. To be extra safe, avoid this oil with dogs prone to seizures as well.)
Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum)
Geranium essential oil is safe and gentle for dogs.
It is a strong antifungal oil and is good for skin irritations (especially caused by yeast infections), as well as fungal ear infections in dogs.
In addition, Geranium oil is effective in repelling ticks, and is a must-have oil if you want to make your own tick-repelling oil blend for your dog.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Properly diluted, Ginger essential oil is non-irritating and safe to use on dogs in small amounts.
It is an excellent oil for dogs with motion sickness, because it is anti-nausea.
Ginger oil can also help with digestion and tummy upset.
In addition, this oil has pain relieving properties. Used topically, it can help relieve pain in dogs with arthritis, dysplasia, strains and sprains.
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
Helichrysum essential oil is expensive but has a lot of great therapeutic properties. It is anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, and has regenerative effects.
It is a good oil to have if your dog has skin issues, such as skin irritations, eczema, pyoderma, etc.
In addition, due to its regenerative properties, it is an excellent oil to use to heal wounds, such as bruises, scars, cuts, etc.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Don't confused true Lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) with Spike Lavender essential oil (Lavandula latifolia). While true Lavender oil is very safe and gentle and can be used with most dogs, Spike Lavender oil should NOT be used with pregnant dogs.
True Lavender oil has antibacterial, anti-itch, and nerve-calming properties.
It is good for many common dog ailments and problems, e.g. skin irritations, anxiety, insect bites, cuts and burns, etc.
It can also be used to help calm down dogs who are stressed, nervous, or agitated. A study found that Lavender could calm excited dogs while traveling in car.
Marjoram, Sweet (Origanum majorana)
Sweet Marjoram essential oil has strong antibacterial properties. It is also calming and a muscle relaxant.
Use this oil for bacterial skin infections and wound care.
You can also add this oil to an insect-repelling blend as Sweet Marjoram oil has insect repelling properties as well.
Niaouli (Melaleuca Quinquenervia)
If you (and your dog) don't mind the scent of this oil, Niaouli is a must-have oil.
It has powerful antibacterial properties (comparable to those in Tea Tree oil), yet Niaouli oil is less likely to cause irritation than Tea Tree.
Use this oil to help dogs with skin irritation and infections caused by allergies. Also, it is an effective antiseptic oil that can disinfect and help fight bacterial infections.
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Sweet Orange essential oil has calming and uplifting effects. It is good for dogs with anxiety, and/or depression. It can also stimulate a dog's appetite. If your dog is not eating (maybe due to stress or depression), diffusing this oil before mealtime may help.
Since this oil has deodorizing and flea-repelling properties, it can be added to your homemade doggie shampoo.
Thyme ct. Linalool (Thymus vulgaris ct. linalool)
There are many different chemotypes of Thyme essential oil. The only chemotype that is mild and safe enough for dogs to use is Thyme ct. Linalool.
This Thyme oil has pain relieving properties, and can be added to a blend to help dogs with arthritis, rheumatism, or other joint pain.
Additionally, Thyme oil has powerful antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It is an excellent choice for infections and other skin issues.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Valerian essential oil has sedative and nerve-calming effects, and is good for helping dogs with anxiety such as separation and noise anxiety.