Zoey came into my life with an energy that could brighten even the darkest day. She loved long walks, rolling in the grass, and curling up beside me when I worked late. Like every pet parent, I wanted to protect her. But years ago, when natural options were almost nonexistent, that meant relying on flea and tick treatments that were sold as safe. One of those products—a vet-recommended flea and tick product—ended her life. It contained pyrethroids, harsh insecticides that can cause tremors, seizures, and even death. Watching Zoey slip away was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through.
→ Protect your dog naturally with PawPurity Flea & Tick Shampoo
Zoey’s Story Exemplifies Why Ingredients Matter
That heartbreak pushed me to create PawPurity. I made it my mission to give pet parents safer choices—to never have to gamble with their dog’s health the way I unknowingly did with Zoey. This is why PawPurity products are plant- oil- and mineral-based and use pet-safe essential oils.
Why Understanding Essential Oils Became Part of PawPurity’s Mission
Dogs are biologically different from us in ways that make them especially vulnerable. Their skin is thinner than ours, their detoxification systems process chemicals differently, and their sense of smell is 100,000 times more powerful. That means what seems like a small dose of a shampoo or oil to us can overwhelm their system. For example, studies show that harsh pesticides like pyrethrins and permethrins can trigger neurological reactions in dogs, while strong artificial fragrances can cause chronic skin irritation and respiratory distress.
This is why PawPurity formulas are carefully balanced. Instead of synthetic toxins, we use therapeutic-grade essential oils like lavender, rosemary, and cedarwood — each chosen not only for safety but for specific benefits like calming inflammation, healing wounds, and repelling pests. These oils are always diluted to safe levels and paired with soothing botanicals, ensuring they work in harmony with a dog’s delicate skin and heightened senses.
Safe Essential Oils for Dogs
Here are seven essential oils that can help your dog when used properly, along with how PawPurity uses them in our carefully crafted shampoos.
Lavender – Calm and Healing
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils for dogs, known for its ability to calm anxiety, ease restlessness, and soothe skin. It prevents infection, reduces swelling, and promotes tissue regeneration. Because of dogs’ powerful sense of smell, lavender must always be diluted. Even a small amount in a shampoo can have powerful effects. PawPurity uses lavender in our Face Stain Shampoo to calm irritated skin around the eyes while promoting healing.
- Calms anxiety and reduces stress
- Promotes restful sleep
- Soothes skin irritations and hot spots
- Supports wound healing
- Repels insects naturally
Chamomile – Gentle Comfort
Chamomile is a gentle but effective oil. It soothes digestive upset, reduces stress, eases inflammation, and heals minor skin issues like bug bites. We use chamomile in our Biogreen Enriched Shampoo because of its ability to calm irritated, allergy-prone skin. Pet parents have reported that it cleared rashes, reduced redness, and even helped with hair regrowth.
- Soothes irritated skin and reduces redness
- Calms stress, anxiety, and digestive upset
- Eases inflammation from bug bites and rashes
- Helps restore hair growth in patches with irritation
- Gentle enough for allergy-prone and easily irritated dogs
Rosemary – Strength and Shedding Support
Rosemary isn’t just fragrant; it’s antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. It's a potent flea and tick repellent. It helps reduce itching, prevents yeast infections, and stimulates circulation for healthier hair growth. That’s why rosemary is included in nearly all of our full-body shampoos for both dogs and cats. It reduces shedding while strengthening the skin barrier.
- Natural antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties
- Potent natural flea and tick repellent
- Reduces itching and soothes irritated skin
Bergamot – Uplifting Relief
Bergamot offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits while also calming stress. When diluted, it relieves itching and uplifts your dog’s mood. While not in every product, we incorporate bergamot into select blends where its soothing qualities complement other botanicals.
- Promotes calm and solace in dogs
- Manages their behaviors
- Balance and peace
- Soothes fear and stress
Frankincense – Peace and Balance
Frankincense has been used for centuries to bring peace and emotional balance. It relieves fear, reduces stress, and supports overall calmness. We include frankincense in several PawPurity formulations because it helps bring a sense of stability and comfort to sensitive pets.
Lemongrass – Natural Flea Fighter
Lemongrass is a powerful natural defense against fleas and ticks. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties while calming flea bites and itchy skin. We made lemongrass a key ingredient in our Flea & Tick Shampoo to naturally repel pests while healing skin irritations caused by bites.
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial and antiseptic
- Good for flea bites
- Relieve itchiness and rashes
- Reduce anxiety levels
- For flea and tick prevention
→ Shop PawPurity Flea & Tick Shampoo
Cedarwood – Soothing Protection
Cedarwood is woodsy, grounding, and deeply healing. It soothes allergies, reduces irritation, helps heal infections, and naturally repels fleas and ticks. We use cedarwood in our Intensive Nourishing Shampoo to calm stressed skin while protecting against pests—safe, natural, and effective.
- For skin diseases and allergies
- Calming and soothing
- Repels fleas and ticks
- Reliefs irritations
- Flea bites treatment
→ Explore PawPurity Intensive Nourishing Shampoo
Using Essential Oils Safely
Even the safest oils can be harmful if used incorrectly. Always dilute with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut before applying to your dog’s skin. Avoid eyes, nose, and mouth. Test on a small patch of skin first. Use only therapeutic-grade oils, and consult your vet if your dog has existing health concerns. Just as important, avoid oils that are toxic to dogs: clove, tea tree, wintergreen, thyme, peppermint, pine, and eucalyptus. Even in small amounts, these can cause dangerous reactions.
Toxic Essential Oils for Dogs You Should Avoid
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.
Overall, many essential oils provide a natural and safe way to promote skin and coat health. From calming anxiety to repelling fleas, they can support your dog’s well-being—when used correctly. But not all oils are safe. That’s why PawPurity carefully formulates every product to protect sensitive pets. Don’t assume all flea and tick treatments are safe to use like I did with Zoey. Ingredients matter!
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