Essential Oils and Pets

Pleasant smells can relax us and calm minds and nerves, as well as bring the multitude of benefits, while bad smells can do just the contrary to that. Our lovely pets, too utilize their sense of smell, however, it overpowers ours hysterically. Research says it’s somewhere from ten thousand to hundred thousand times as discriminating.

Dogs can detect certain odors in parts per trillion, which means while we can usually scent if our morning coffee has been mixed with a spoon of sugar or not, whereas a dog could detect a spoon of sugar in a million gallons of water, or a couple of Olympic sized pools worth.

Our pets utilize their sense of smell to yield all sorts of complex information from the surroundings and that information is used to enumerate and predict what sort of energy and response they should take to. We all know that smell is a principal primeval sense, in fact, the first primary nerve that enters the brain can track a scent, and our emotions are strongly persuaded by it.

Essential oils can provide a plentitude of benefits for us humans, but did you know that they can be of immense help to our pets too? Although aromatherapy can be of great use to animals, however, before attempting it, it’s important to know how to properly use essential oils so that they aren’t harmed in the process.

Essential oils are absorbed by inhalation, ingestion, and contact with the skin. They enter the bloodstream very quickly and are distributed to various tissues. As with all medleys, few have a biological compatibility with specific tissues, and people who are aromatherapy experts can utilize that property to choose oils that will target specific tissues. It’s very critical to keep in mind that very small quantities of these compounds can have immense biological effects on every system of the body.

For example, lavender oil has powerful effects on the brain and creates a calming sensation. Tiny amounts of lavender oil can be used to calm pets or make them feel sleepy, such as when traveling, for example.

Those of us, who are pet owners, stress about how the products we bring in use in our homes affect the well-being or the health of our pets. You have probably wondered how you can share that product’s benefits with your animal companions.

The below listed essential oils provide your pets with a plentitude of benefits and can be used to help them.

The double whammy is that all of these essential oils have great benefits for you as well! Here are some essential oils you can safely use around and for your pets:

Marjoram Essential Oil

It helps treat skin infections and irritations

Cedarwood Essential Oil

This oil repels pests and promotes healthy skin and coat.

Clary Sage Essential Oil

This oil calms any unnecessary excitement in them and nervousness

Ginger Essential Oil

Very helpful in relieving pain in case of hip dysplasia and also from arthritis and supports healthy digestion

Lavender Essential Oil

This oil relieves anxiety from separation or during travels

Myrrh Essential Oil

Help fight allergies and enables healthy skin and a shiny coat

Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Promotes healthy skin as a topical treatment if dry

Geranium Essential Oil

It is very effective in repelling pests and an effective treatment for ear infections

Chamomile Essential Oil

Relaxes them and promotes sound sleep and also supports healthy digestion

Peppermint Essential Oil

Relieves the arthritis pain and pain occurring due to hip dysplasia and repels pests too
Helichrysum Essential Oil: If applied topically can cure skin issues and relieve pain

In this case of essential oils, which oils are safe to use? How much can I apply? Should I diffuse or apply topically? Essential oils are although natural, however, keep in mind that the wrong essential oil can trigger a worrisome reaction in our pets.

Aromatherapy can be just as beneficial to our companion animals as it is for us. So if you are worried about using essential oils around your pets or are curious about the benefits of essential oils for your pets, here is a simple article that can perhaps help you get some clarity on this matter.

One very important piece of information you must have is that while some oils are fine for dogs and horses, they may not be good for cats, rabbits or birds, simply due to their tiny bodies. If you wish to still use them on these smaller animals, it will be wise to speak with your veterinarian prior to doing that.


Whether you are going to use oil for the first time on them or you are a veteran at it, it will be helpful to keep few things in mind. Our pets are more perceiving than humans when it comes to essential oils.

• Always dilute the oil significantly and use in reasonableness.
• Every animal is different, so carefully monitor how each animal responds to the oil’s fragrance. Use common sense and good judgment as you try different methods.
• Take special care to not get essential oils in an animal’s eyes.
• Do not use high in phenol oils such as Oregano and Thyme with any animals, especially cats!
• Be very cautious when using essential oils with cats. Cats are also generally averse to citrus essential oils.
Your pet’s size influences the quantity of oil you bring in to use.
• Smaller animals like cats and small dogs, require less quantity of oil hence use only 3–5 drops. Certainly dilute 80–90 percent prior to application.
• For bigger animals, like large dogs, beginning with 3–5 drops. Unless quantity is specified on the product label.
• For very big animals, like horses and cattle, start with 10 drops. Unless otherwise indicated on the product label, dilution is unnecessary.

Use oils on yourself or diffuse it at home to introduce animals to essential oils and help them get comfortable prior to using it on them. Apply it your hands and let your pet smell them. Diffuse the oil around their area and see how they behave.

If your pet is jittery or hesitant towards essential oils, try applying oil to yourself and staying near the animal for several minutes so it can get used to the aroma. Once they’re used to essential oils, animals can respond well to topical application. Your pet’s paws are a great place to apply essential oils.

However, only if your pet is a cats or a dog! Experiment with rubbing the essential oil onto your hands and then petting the animal.

Certain Essential Oils are a no-no for your pets!

Every pet’s receptivity may differ towards different essential oils. However, there are few essential oils that you may not want use around your pets. Cats in particular are very sensitive to essential oils that contain polyphenolic compounds as they disturb their liver detoxification processes. So if you have cats do not use essentials oils like:

• Cinnamon
• Tea tree
• Thyme
• Birch
• Wintergreen
• Clove
• Oregano

There are also certain essential oils that should not be used for or around dogs:

• Anise
• Clove
• Garlic
• Horseradish
• Juniper
• Thyme
• Wintergreen
• Yarrow

These essential oils can trigger a range of issues from allergies and skin sensitivities to interference in their natural body processes.

And if you must use any of these essential oils for your own health, then make sure that you exercise caution around your pets. For example, if you are diffusing the essential oil then keep your pet out of the room during that period. And, if you wear these essential oils on pulse points through the day, be careful when petting your companion animals.
Essential Oils that do wonders for your pets!