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I love essential oils and use them daily in our home to create a calming, chill atmosphere. As a dog mom, it didn't take long for me to look for essential oil recipes for dogs.

I use essential oils daily.  I use them to wake up, boost my mood, alleviate allergies, stop a headache before it morphs into a migraine, soothe an upset tummy, and more.  It didn't take long for me to wonder what essential oils can do for my dogs.   So, I trusted Google to lead me to some of the best essential oil recipes for dogs and I wasn't disappointed.

While not all of the essential oil recipes we find online are appropriate for dogs, there are many trusted websites, books, and professionals that can be trusted.

Today, I know how to make flea & tick repellent, shampoo, anxiety mist, paw balm, and more. I primarily diffuse essential oils to create a relaxing and refreshing atmosphere in our home, but it's nice to know that I can do more with them, especially when money is tight.

13 Essential Oils Recipes for Dogs

There are a lot of essential oils on the market, and in my research, I order oils from brands that believe in sourcing quality, organic ingredients, making safe oils for all of us to use.  

Here is a list of recipes that you can use to make products for your dogs.  Please note that although I have used these recipes with success on our large breed dogs (60 lbs – 75 lbs), it's important that you do your research before delving into essential oils. If you have a small breed dog, please speak with a veterinarian experienced in using essential oils on animals about the proper dosage.

I also highly recommend investing in the following books:

1 – DIY Dog Shampoo

I make dog shampoo because Zoey is sensitive to smells and many natural shampoos on the market are too strong for her.  It's also less expensive to make dog shampoo now that I have the right ingredients on hand.

I mix these ingredients in a mixing bowl, using a wire whisk, then pour the contents into a pump bottle.  Because this doesn't have a thickening agent, this will be a watery product that you can easily waste – the pump bottle controls the waste, pumping shampoo and foam into your hand that you can then massage into your dog's coat.

The oils that I chose for this recipe also work to repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.

2 – DIY Soothing Dog Shampoo

Use the same recipe above and swap out 4-5 ounces of water for 4-5 ounces of aloe vera.

3 – Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs

One of my friends told me about this a couple of weeks ago.  She stopped using flea and tick repellents and simply adds lavender oil to a bandanna that she ties around her dog's neck.  That's so simple.  I took inspiration from the flea & tick spray above to develop this recipe – which will make four collars.

I mix these ingredients together in a bowl using a wire whisk, then soak cotton bandannas into the mixture and let them dry in the sun.  This will work with dog collars too, but don't get the mixture on any plastic parts; some oils (specifically citrus oils) will degrade the plastic.

Once the collar is dry, it's ready to put around your dog's neck.  If your dog is sensitive to smell, you can also tie it to his or her harness before walks (get it away from their nose).

4 – Flea & Tick Repellent Spray

This recipe was inspired by what I know about repelling fleas naturally.  I know which scents they don't like so I used those in this product.  I've adapted the recipe since I first made it in May.

Add all ingredients to your spray bottle and fill with water.  The more oils I use, the fewer drops I'll add to prevent the scent from becoming overwhelming.  So if I want to get creative and add more oils, then I'll add fewer drops per oil.

5 – Dog Paw Balm

This recipe was inspired by the research I did on what went into a paw balm; mostly, I made it up as I went along; please forgive the vague measurements.

I added the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax to the glass and sat the glass in the pot (surrounded by water).  It's important to keep an eye on the water as you slowly heat it up.  Once the shea butter and coconut oil are melted (which happens quickly), I stirred the contents until the beeswax melted.

I used pliers to lift the glass out of the pot, and I sat it on a towel the glass cooled (cools quickly).  Then I added two drops of each of the essential oils.  Once I could handle the glass with my hand (a couple of minutes later), I poured everything into the containers (I used the travel-size containers you can pick up at Target).

I set it aside to cool, and I had paw balm a short time later.

6 – Calming Mist for Dogs (1)

This recipe was inspired by an article found on Dogs Naturally Magazine:

This one is easy.  Mix the ingredients, fill the bottle with water, and add the lid.  I spray the mist around the dogs, not directly in their face.  Or I spray the mist into the palms of my hands and massage their neck, back, and chest t help them relax.  It works great on Zoey, which is surprising because she usually doesn't like the oils.

7 – Calming Mist for Dogs (2)

This recipe was inspired by my recipe above.

Another easy one.  Mix the ingredients, fill the bottle with water, and add the lid.  I spray the mist around the dogs, not directly in their face.  Or I spray the mist into the palms of my hands and massage their neck, back, and chest t help them relax.  It works great on Zoey, which is surprising because she usually doesn't like the oils.

Quick Tip on Preparing for a Vet Visit

You can also add a spritz of the calming mist to a clothespin, attach it to your car air vent, and let it “diffuse” in the car on the way to the vet to relax your dogs.

8 – Dog Coat and Skin Conditioner

If you have a dog with dry, itchy skin, I recommend taking a look at your dog's diet, adding Omega-3 fatty acids (sardines, salmon, or fish oil ) to meals along with a digestive supplement. And you can use this easy essential oils recipe:

Mix the ingredients together in a measuring cup or bowl, then pour them into a glass dropper bottle or rollerball bottle. This is another option for dry paws, and I use it to soothe dry skin on the tummy.

9 – Soothe a Dog's Muscle Aches

This one is great to use after long walks or an intense play session with the dogs.  I created this mixture to help with their aches and pains – it works quickly, and I can use it too.

I add my oils to a glass roller ball bottle.  When one of our dogs is exhibiting signs of sore muscles, I rub the roller bottle on the area and gently massage the area.  I've noticed that they feel better within 10 to 15 minutes.

10 – Soothing a Dog's Upset Tummy

Does your dog have gas?  Is your dog suddenly dying to race outside and eat every blade of grass in the yard?  When this happens at my house and I know that my dog doesn't require a trip to the veterinarian – then I reach for an essential oil blend.

I add my oils to a 10 ml glass roller bottle.  When Rodrigo has an upset tummy, I rub the roller ball on the skin of his belly (it only takes a small amount) and massage the oil into the skin with my hands.  With the rest of the oil on my hands, I stroke Rodrigo's spine.  It works wonders, and I've noticed an immediate improvement.

An alternative to this recipe is G.I. Goe by AnimalEO. I apply this using the petty method and it works wonders.

11 – Calm Anxious or Over-Excited Dogs

With the Fourth of July around the corner, I checked my essential oils stock to confirm that I have two MUST HAVE oils on hand.

I add my oils to the water in the diffuser and turn it on; the dogs will be chilling out (and possibly sleeping) in less than 30 minutes.  It's HEAVEN and it freshens the air!!!  Much safer than scented candles or plugins.

An alternative to this blend from AnimalEO is Calm-a-Mile. I use the RTU (ready to use) oil on my dogs; I add a few drops to my palms and then massage the oil into my dog's coat along their back and chest. A little goes a long way. I also have the NEAT on hand, which I diffuse in the house.

12 – Immune System Mist for Dogs

This recipe was inspired by my calming mist and what I've learned about essential oils to date.

Mix the ingredients, fill the bottle with water, and add the lid.  I mist around the dogs (not directly in their face), or I spray the mist into the palm of my hands and massage their neck, back, and chest area.  I also diffuse this mix of oils in a large room (never in a confined space).

Alternatives to this by AnimalEO are the Aroma Boost Collection and Boost in a Bottle.

13 – Ear Cleaner

I woke up this morning and remembered that I forgot about one recipe that Sydney's veterinarian gave me a couple of weeks ago.  Sydney's ears were red, very dirty, and scratched.  Signs of an impending ear infection that I thought would call for a prescription.  Nope!

  • Mix Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide (50/50) into a 16-ounce spray bottle
  • Mist the mixture inside of the ear and ear canal and let sit for 10 minutes
  • Wipe out the dirt
  • Sooth ear with coconut oil

I repeated this ritual daily until Sydney's ear cleared up; I saw improvements in less than 48 hours. Today, there is an amazing option to this that I use during the summer when our dogs go swimming. It's the Canine Ear Spray by Animaleo.

Not all essential oils are created equal so you need to do your homework and find a company that works for you.  I now choose not to buy from MLM brands because I don't like feeling obligated to buy oils every month – I can't afford it.  Instead, I order essential oils from Plant Therapy, a company that was recommended by several raw feeders and experts in canine health and nutrition whom I respect and trust.

I have been so happy with their oils.  They offer many safe oils and organic oils, and they're at a price that I can afford.  I love them so much that I kind of went nuts during a daily holiday special they hosted during the month of December.

I use essential oils daily for myself and with my dogs.  It saves me money and it helps all of us. To learn more about using essential oils with your pets, check out the Animal Desk Reference Guide by Dr. Melissa Shelton. This is an in-depth guide on what oils are safe to use with pets and how best to use the oils with pets.

This post shares my personal experience with essential oils.  This post (and blog) is about dogs.  Please do not use the advice here to treat cats.  It's always a good idea to speak with your holistic veterinarian about the essential oils you want to use on or around your pets in case your pet has a sensitivity.

I love essential oils and use them daily in our home to create a calming, chill atmosphere. As a dog mom, it didn't take long for me to look for essential oil recipes for dogs.

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