7 Essential Oils Safe for Dogs: Natural Remedies That Work
Why You Need to Be Cautious With Essential Oils on Dogs
Essential oils safe for dogs can help maintain your dog’s health and well-being. However, not all essential oils are safe for use on dogs. If used improperly, essential oils can be dangerous and even toxic. That’s why we’ll list seven safe essential oils for your furry friend and explain how to use them correctly to ensure your pup's health and happiness.
Lavender Induces Calmness for Dogs![]()
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils known for its calming and soothing properties. When used correctly, it’s generally safe for dogs. However, dosage and dilution are key.
Dog's have an extraordinary sense of smell that well exceeds that of humans. For example, 40% of a dog's brain power is developed to smell. They are 100,000 times more sensitive to smell than humans. This ability is why they are often put to work at crime scenes and for rescues. But regardless of how delightful the scent is to us, too much can be overwhelming for your bestie. Also make sure it is used as part of a formulation and not on it's own. It must be well diluted. Even in a shampoo or spray, make sure to use it sparingly.
Lavender also has healing abilities. It helps prevent infection, reduce swelling, relieve pain and promote tissue regeneration. PawPurity uses it in the Face Stain Shampoo for this reason.
✅ Lavender Benefits for Dogs
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Calms anxiety and reduces stress
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Promotes restful sleep
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Soothes skin irritations and hot spots
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Supports wound healing
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Repels insects naturally
✅ Chamomile
Chamomile is a gentle, soothing essential oil that can be used to treat a variety of ailments in dogs. For example, it can help soothe your pup when they are feeling stressed, anxious, or experiencing stomachaches. Chamomile oil can also be used to help reduce inflammation and treat minor skin issues such as bug bites and rashes.
Because of it's versitality, PawPurity uses in its Biogreen Enriched Shampoo. Pet parents have shared how it eliminated their dog's rashes, red spots, and even hair loss.
- Soothes
- Anti-inflammatory
- Treats skin issues
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Treats bug bites
- Treats rashes
- Heals wounds

Rosemary - Reduces Shedding
PawPurity uses rosemary in nearly all it's full-body dog and cat shampoos. In additon to spouting an earthy yet fresh scent, it’s naturally antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. It soothes irritated skin, reduces itching, and fights off infections like yeast and hot spots. For dogs that have lost hair from dermatitis or scratching at hot spots, rosemary stimulates healthy hair growth by improving circulation to the follicles. Keeping the hair follicles healthy is a huge assist in reducing shedding.
Bergamot
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Antibacterial and antiseptic properties
- Relieves itchiness
- Calming and uplifting effects
Bergamot essential oil is derived from the peel of the bergamot orange and is widely used for various therapeutic and medicinal purposes. For dogs, it’s been found to have calming effects and may be used to help relieve stress and anxiety. Bergamot can be used topically and aromatically, with a few drops of the oil added to your dog’s bath or diluted in a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil and rubbed on their skin.
As always, it’s important to research essential oils around pets and dilute them appropriately before use.
Frankincense
- Promotes calm and solace in dogs,
- Manages their behaviors
- Balance and peace
- Soothes fear and stress.
Frankincense is an ancient and revered essential oil that is loved for its calming properties and ability to help promote feelings of balance and peace. It is safe to use with dogs and can be used to soothe feelings of stress, fear, and anxiety. PawPurity uses frankincense in most of its products.
To use Frankincense, add a few drops to a diffuser or spray bottle with water and lightly mist your pup. Next, add it to a diluted carrier oil (like coconut oil) and rub it onto your dog’s ears, feet, and chest. As always, be sure to test any new oils on a small patch of skin first to make sure there are no adverse reactions.
6. Lemongrass
- Therapeutic benefits
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial and antiseptic
- Treats dryness and mange
- Good for flea bites
- Relieve itchiness and rashes
- Reduce anxiety levels
- For flea and tick prevention
Lemongrass is a fragrant, citrus-scented oil extracted from the stalks and leaves of the lemongrass plant. It has many therapeutic benefits and is safe for use with dogs. Its antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties make it great for treating skin conditions like mange and flea bites. When used in aromatherapy, lemongrass can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels in dogs. PawPurity uses lemongrass as a key ingredient in its flea and ticks shampoos for dogs.
To use lemongrass on your dog, dilute it with a carrier oil such as apricot or almond oil at one drop of lemongrass to ½ cup of carrier oil. Mix and massage the oil into the affected area twice daily until the condition improves.
7. Cedarwood
- For skin diseases and allergies
- Calming and soothing
- Repels fleas and ticks
- Reliefs irritations
- Flea bites treatment
Cedarwood is an essential oil with a strong woodsy aroma extracted from the leaves and wood of the cedar tree. It’s great for skin issues, stress relief, and calming anxieties in dogs. It can also help with repelling fleas and ticks.
When using cedarwood essential oil on your dog, it’s important to use it in extremely small amounts. Start by mixing one drop of cedarwood oil in ½ cup of carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil. Then, using a cotton swab or a cloth, apply the diluted oil to your dog’s fur and massage it in. Next, add a few drops of cedarwood essential oil to your dog’s bath water or shampoo. PawPurity Intensive nourishing shampoo for dogs has cedarwood calming properties in it.
Cedarwood essential oil is known to have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, making it great for helping your pup heal from wounds or infections. It can also help improve your pup’s respiratory health and relieve discomfort caused by allergies.
Essential Considerations while Using Essential Oils for Dogs
It is important to know that essential oils can be hazardous if used incorrectly. Dogs, being more sensitive than humans, require even more caution. Here are some things to keep in mind while using essential oils on your dog:
- Talk to your veterinarian before using any essential oil on your pet, especially if they have a medical condition or are taking medications.
- Dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil, like almond or jojoba oil, before applying it to your pet’s skin.
- Always use therapeutic-grade essential oils, which are much safer for dogs than other essential oils.
- Don’t apply essential oils to your pet’s eyes, nose, or mouth, as this can lead to adverse reactions.
- Start with a very small amount and apply to a limited area of your pet’s skin to check for potential reactions before using the oil more widely.
- Never leave your pet alone when using essential oils around them.
- Make sure the area where you’re using the essential oils is well-ventilated.
By keeping these considerations in mind, you can safely and effectively use essential oils to improve your pet’s health and well-being.
Toxic Essential Oils for Dogs – Be Aware of these!
Here is a list of the essential oils that are potentially toxic to dogs:
- Clove oil: Clove oil contains a compound called eugenol, which is highly toxic to dogs when ingested in large quantities.
- Tea tree oil: While tea tree oil is generally considered safe for topical application in low concentrations, it is highly toxic if ingested. Avoid using tea tree oil on or around your dog, as it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and liver failure.
- Wintergreen oil: Wintergreen oil contains a compound called methyl salicylate, which can be toxic when ingested by dogs. The risk is higher with wintergreen oil because it is far more concentrated than its natural form.
- Thyme oil: Thyme oil contains thymol, which can be toxic to dogs when ingested. Even small amounts can cause serious illness.
- Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil contains menthol, which can be toxic to dogs when ingested. Even small amounts can cause serious illness.
- Pine oil: Pine oil contains phenols, which are highly toxic to dogs when ingested. Even small amounts can cause serious illness.
- Eucalyptus: This essential oil can be dangerous if applied topically to a dog’s skin, especially in large amounts. Ingesting this oil can also lead to drooling, vomiting, depression, and even seizures.
Takeaways
In conclusion, essential oils provide a natural and safe way to promote skin and coat health, and the well-being of our canine companions. From calming anxiety to repelling fleas, essential oils have countless benefits for our furry friends. However, it is important to remember that not all essential oils are safe for dogs, so be sure to read labels and research before using them. You can confidently incorporate essential oils into your dog’s wellness routine by knowing which oils are safe and the proper dilution processes.