Benefits Of Lavender Essential Oil For Dogs
The relaxing properties of lavender essential oil are known to many people, but it also offers many benefits for dogs. It is obtained from the flowers of lavender, a very common plant in Mediterranean countries.
Lavender Essential Oil Properties
Lavender essential oil is one of the best known. It has been used since Antiquity due to its multiple properties:
- Soothing. It’s its best known effect. It facilitates sleep, relaxes muscles and helps reduce anxiety and stress.
- Antiseptic. Lavender has antimicrobial properties: it acts against viruses and bacteria.
- Analgesic. Lavender essential oil can be used to relieve pain, especially muscle pain.
- Anti-inflammatory. Using lavender essential oil on an inflamed area reduces inflammation.
- Healing of wounds and burns. It is also used to treat acne and dermatitis.
What are the benefits of lavender essential oil for dogs?
- Natural relaxant. Its aroma has relaxing properties: it helps the dog to relax and rest.
- Insect repellent. Lavender essential oil – pure or combined with other essential oils, such as mugwort (St. John’s wort) – is a natural insect repellent thanks to its chemical compounds linalool and cuminaldehyde. You can disperse drops of this oil onto the rug or floor to act as a natural barrier.
- Soothing. Lavender essential oil is a natural tranquilizer for dogs, relieving stress. It also serves to relieve skin irritated by stings or dermatitis, in addition to being a great anti-inflammatory and healing of wounds and burns.
Prepare lavender essential oil at home
If you have lavender flowers at home, you can make the essential oil from them. The process is very simple:
- Harvest fresh flowers and leave them in the sun to dry.
- Once dry, crush the flowers in a pestle, but do not crush them too much.
- Heat the flowers in a container of water or other oil over a low heat for a few hours.
- Strain the essential oil and store in a bottle protected from light.
With this homemade essential oil, it is possible to make soaps or use it as an environment flavoring.
Of course, it can also be purchased at the drugstore or herbal store. However, the purer the essential oil and the fewer additives it has, the better its quality.
It is also important to bear in mind that, depending on the degree of concentration of the essential oil, it will be necessary to dilute it – a little or a lot – so that it can be applied. Read the instructions before using it.
How to apply it?
It is very important that the essential oil is not applied directly to the dog’s skin. It must be previously diluted with water or other oils. You can start by testing a small area of skin to prove that your pet is not allergic to this substance.
In a water-filled diffuser, put a few drops of the essential oil to use it as a natural environment flavoring in the house, on furniture or in the bed of pets, for example. Thus, the essential oil can be used as an aromatherapy for the dog.
It is also possible to apply the essential oil on the skin, in a gentle way. Never pure, but diluted. Remember to avoid the eyes, nose, mouth and genital areas. It is even possible to gently massage the animal’s torso and belly.
In addition, there are shampoos and conditioners with lavender essential oil in its composition. They can be used to bathe the dog, as long as they are specific shampoos for dogs. These products are often sold in pet shops and veterinary clinics.
Other essential oils suitable for dogs are chamomile, rosemary, marjoram, niaouli and mint. However, it is important to remember that essential oils do not replace medical treatments or veterinary diagnosis, and that they must be applied properly.
