Make your very own shampoo, tick spray, and calming spray for dogs. Plus, learn which essential oils are safe for pets and the do’s and don’ts when it comes to essential oils and pets.
This blog post was a long time coming, and with all the questions I received asking if essential oils are safe for pets, I would have saved myself some time if I had written it sooner.
So, can you make a shampoo for dogs scented with essential oils? Is it safe to make a flea and tick spray using oil on dogs? What about a pet calming spray? These questions (and maybe a few more) will be answered in this post as well as recipes for each.
When I went outside to grab a few pictures of the pups for this post, I found out that they were scared of my camera. Ha! I am not sure why but they wouldn’t come near me and had their tails in between their legs. It was quite comical!
First, we’ll go over essential oil safety around pets. That is, the indirect effects of us using oils around our pets.
ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR PETS?
So, a couple of things, the FDA does not regulate essential oils, so you really can’t trust the labels. You actually have to do your own research and really dig deep into how your oil is sourced and the testing it goes through.
Many oils you find in local stores or on amazon can be diluted with water or have added fillers and contaminates. You can find out why I decided to go with DoTERRA here.
If you are using high-quality essential oils free of added fillers and contaminants, then YES, essential oils can be used safely around your pets. BUT, there are a few things to know before doing so!
Using essential oils around pets
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
It is important to note that most of your pets, especially dogs, have a far greater sense of smell than humans. In fact, according to petmd, dogs can smell up to 100,000 times better than humans.
Therefore, pay attention to your dog’s reaction when you diffuse oils. Let your pet be the judge; they will let you know if they like the scent or not.
If your dog seems to be affected, tries to leave the room, or appears distressed, stop using it immediately.
Just like humans, they can prefer certain aromas over others, but with far greater sensitivity. You can experiment with different oils that are well diluted of course, and see how they react.
DIFFUSERS– Most essential oils are safe to diffuse in your home while your pets are around. However, your pets may not prefer some of your stronger-scented oils. Never diffuse in an enclosed room around pets. Leave a door open so your pet can get away if needed.
DIRECTLY INHALING– Humans can benefit from inhaling an essential oil straight out of a bottle or out of the palm of their hands; pets CAN NOT. This also means oils must not be applied directly to any animal undiluted.
Here is a list of oils that may not be safe to use around your pets:
- Anise
- Camphor
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Juniper Berry
- Tea tree (Especially avoid using tea tree around cats!)
- Oregano
- Wintergreen
- Ylang ylang
- Eucalyptus
These are the most common essential oils not recommended to use around dogs. As always, with any scent, pay careful attention to your pet and see how they respond.
TOPICAL USE
Oils can be used topically on dogs, such as in a shampoo or spray. It is not recommended to use essential oils on puppies or kittens under 10 weeks of age.
If you follow the safety tips listed below, you can use essential oils topically on your dog.
ALWAYS DILUTE
Essential oils are very powerful, potent, and concentrated. As a result, they must always be diluted before being applied.
In fact, animals can’t metabolize oils as fast as we can, so we need to dilute them even further for our furry friends.
AVOID EYES, NOSE AND EARS
Never apply essential oils in or near the eyes, ears, nose, or genital area.
Homemade pet shampoo
INGREDIENTS
1 cup water
1 tablespoon unscented castile soap (I use this brand.)
1/2 teaspoon glycerin (Find it here.)
3 drops roman chamomile essential oil
1 drop cedarwood essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS
Add all of the ingredients into a small mixing bowl, stir until well combined.
Transfer to an airtight container for storage. A glass mason jar works well.
Wash dog like normal.
Flea and tick spray
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (You can find it here.)
1/2 cup water
1 drop cedarwood essential oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
1 drop thyme essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all the ingredients together in a glass spray bottle, shake well.
Lightly mist on the dog’s fir, staying clear of its eyes and ears. Or remove their collar and mist with the solution.
Pet calming spray
INGREDIENTS
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops roman chamomile essential oil
2 drops vetiver essential oil
Water
INSTRUCTIONS
Add essential oils to an 8-ounce glass spray bottle, top it off with water.
Shake before each use.
Lightly mist one or two sprays along the dog’s back.
Have you ever used essential oils on your pets? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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Carly Cook says
I used to love using lavender and vetiver on my pups paws when he was anxious or couldn’t sleep-he loved it and it helped him snooze all night long!
lauraascher says
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Melissa says
Omg I didn’t even think to use it on pets!! That’s so awesome!! I will have to use these on ours!!
lauraascher says
I love using natural remedies on my puppies!
Hope says
Thank you for writing about this, it’s a great post and I will be referring back to it, I’m sure! 🐶🐱
lauraascher says
You’re welcome!
Susan says
Will have to give this a try on my pup! Thanks for the tips.
lauraascher says
You’re welcome!
Brittany says
This is great! I’ve been meaning to research essential oils for dogs but kept putting it off. I’ll definitely have to save this one for later!!
lyndsy willett says
Thank you for sharing! I’ll be trying the flea spray once it starts warming up!
Marisa says
Great ideas! I’m going to keep these in mind for if we ever have problems with fleas.
Mamma1 says
I heard any citrus oil is toxic to pets. Your thoughts?
Laura says
A lot of the scary stories you read are referring to essential oils taht are not pure and have adders in them. If using the precautions I talk about in the post I find them to be safe.
Maisey's mama says
I got Young Living essential oils as a gift. I haven’t read anywhere that lemon is safe around pets. My little 13 week old pup is exploring the floor by licking. I wanted to add a little to my floor cleaner but I need to be certain it’s safe for her to ingest. Is there a different one that you recommend?
Laura says
I know young living has a line of oils that are safe for internal use and ones that are not so maybe check that before using it. I use doTERRAs lemon and it is safe for internal use. If you want to try it here is a link: https://doterra.me/tJoZ3RoK
Darlene says
Cats are much more sensitive to essential oils than dogs and some can be toxic .Also most essential oils should not be diffused around cats. Important to do research before using on cats.I have used them on cats with great success as well as dogs. Just need to be well informed.
Laura says
Yes that is very true! It is very important to leave doors open and watch your cat to see how they react. Thanks for sharing!
Julie M Chapman says
Do you have a good natural flea remedy for cats? Love the one for the dogs, seems to work pretty good. Wanted to try on cats but I know they are more sensitive
Paula says
Hi, I love this site. I’m wondering if u have an ebook or any book on your recipes, especially for pets. I have using the topical chemicals. I’m just better at recipe books.
Thank you.
Laura says
I lots of free ebooks in my online resource library. Here is the link: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/member-resource-library/
Anna says
Can any of these essential oils possibly kill dogs? Also, does the toxic essential oils effect a specific size? I have been researching this topic awhile and have heard many different opinions. I have heard ylang ylang isn’t safe for my pup. Is that true? Thanks!
Laura says
If used safely and properly, I think essential oils can be used with animals.
Vero says
Thank god I found your blog about EO on pets. I have been searching for natural remedies when my dog suffers from itching. He tends to have flea. I also want to put something around his anal area so he would not think to bite that area. I know some EO have smoothing types for itching skin. How do I dilute it? I already visit my vet and plan to have blood work but that will time. In the meantime, I want something to help my poor babies. I have another dog who suffers from COPD, tracheas collapse. He already on the med but we are approaching holistic. He does take his meds but I don’t want to give too much. Which EO would help calm/control his cough. He is especially worse at night. I am wondering if dropping EO on his bedding would be ideal? Our approach is to improve their quality of life without using too much chemicals and medicine.
Laura says
I dilute them just like I would for me and put the oils in a carrier oil before applying them. You can put some on the bedding just to make sure he can get away from the scent in case he doesn’t like it. I put oils straight on my puppy’s collars to help for ticks and they don’t mind at all!
Jacquie says
Both my dogs have been suffering with sarcoptic mange for a few months (my friend’s dogs shared!). She treated with Bravecto. I won’t touch those chemicals. I’ve been treating with neem, peppermint, rosemary.diatomaceous earth and yarrow. DoTerra oils are all I use except for the neem which they don’t have. It doesn’t seem to be working. any suggestions?
Cathy says
I’m new to essential oils. My granddaughter is wanting a diffuser and essential oils for Christmas but she has two dogs. I have heard pros and cons on the safety of diffusing around pets. Can you suggest what oils would be safe to diffuse? Can you also suggest what is the best diffuser to use. Do I order these items through you?
Laura says
I do sell doTERRA oils and diffusers. You can learn more here: https://shopoils.com/laura-ascher/
I also have a free essential oil masterclass for beginners, register here: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/webinar-registration/
Rebekah S says
Is peppermint oil safe around dogs? I have been seeing mixed reviews online, some saying its a helpful tick and bug repellent for them, others saying its toxic
Laura says
I have used it in the past, diluted, as a tick repellent for our dog; however, I have yet to find any concrete evidence either way.