7 Essential Oils To Calm Dogs

 

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

Summary: In this blog, we learn about calming scents for dogs. Essential oils have been touted as a great way to help our human bodies relax, but can essential oils do the same for dogs?

 

Anxiety… Something that affects both us humans and our pups alike. Just like us, our dogs struggling with fear and stress, too, but in most cases, they don’t know how to adjust and support themselves through the difficultly.

That is where you, their loving pet parent, can come in.

As their owner and caregiver, it is important that you find ways for helping your pooch relax, unwind and reduce stress. Whether it is through a comforting blanket or a safe place in the house, helping reduce your pup’s stresses is extremely important, for both their health and their wellbeing.

The answer? First things first, you need to try to discover what is triggering your pooch’s heightened stress and find ways to combat it. For example, if your furry pal becomes anxious when you leave the house, finding ways of reassuring them of your pending return is key.

Using natural, essential oils to help reduce your pup’s anxieties could be the way forward. Below we have listed 7 powerful, calming scents for dogs that may help combat the stress your pup experiences and help your pooch feel relaxed, calm and happy…

PetLab Co. Pro Tip: If you're going to try and introduce these oils to your pup's life, make sure you're diluting the oils. Our dogs have an incredibly sensitive nose, so making sure these scents are relaxed can stop them from overpowering your pooch. 

What Essential Oils Are Safe For Dogs?

Lavender Oil

For centuries, we have used lavender in aromatherapy to help relax and unwind the mind and body. The sweet aroma can alleviate anxiety and ease the central nervous system, helping the body to release stress and tension. The natural qualities that benefit us humans can also have the same effect on our nervous pups.

If you know your pooch feels stress when you leave the home or during times of excitement; Bonfire Night fireworks and New Year, for example, release the scent of lavender into the house or pop a few drops of the oil onto one of their beds or toys. This may help them stay calm and reduce any stress that may build up.

Geranium Oil

Used by many to help treat acne, sore throats and depression, geranium oil has similar relaxation-inducing qualities as lavender oil. This oil is more than just a sweet, pleasant smell, it has been proven to help balance hormones and promote wellbeing. With the natural properties that have the power to help reduce inflammation and boost relaxation, adding a few diluted drops to your pup’s bed may help aid stress reduction, leaving your pooch feeling soothed and relaxed. Geranium oil can absolutely be considered a calming scent for dogs.

Chamomile Oil

When it comes to essential oils for dogs, chamomile is a naturally natural calming plant known for its ability to decrease anxiety and help aid sleep and thus could be a great choice to introduce to your stressed pooch.

These special qualities can reduce irritability for those moments of stress for your dog. You see, when your pup starts to feel anxious or unsteady, they can react in strange ways, behaving in a manner that you might not expect. Some react by becoming more vocal, barking and growling, whereas others can retreat and whimper until they feel more comfortable.

Cypress Oil

Used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans, cypress oil has been linked to helping reduce and relieve muscle pain. By removing unwanted and negative toxins, this oil can help boost the mood and help regulate blood flow around the body. The earthy scent can induce relaxation for your worried pet whilst helping to balance their emotions.

Our pups are more like us than we may know, feeling just as many emotions as us but with the inability to tell us how they’re feeling. That is why, as their puppy parent, you need to know what triggers your pooch and try to combat these by introducing a few natural remedies like calming scents for dogs.

Frankincense Oil

Sometimes known as olibanum, frankincense oil is a common type of essential oil used for its many healing benefits; helping to relieve chronic stress and anxiety, reducing pain and inflammation and can even boost the immune system. This powerful oil has been used for thousands of years by us humans due to its calming and tranquil properties… And, they may work on your nervous pup too.

Just as the other oils above, introducing a few drops of diluted frankincense to your pup’s daily lives may help reduce their stress levels. Behaving as a natural sedative, it can keep your pooch calm during their times of discomfort and help help prevent any negative behaviours that may come from these unsettling moments.

Lemon Oil

It may sound strange, but the oil from lemon is touted to carry some incredible anxiety-reducing qualities. Normally you would pair lemon with a sharp, tangy taste, but the oil can work (and is used) as a natural alternative to Xanax; a drug used in humans to alleviate panic disorders. Thought to help in relieving body tension and unwanted stress, lemon oil may work wonders on a nervous dog.

Once you’re aware of the triggers to their anxieties, using diluted lemon oil to try and combat the negative reactions could be the answer to keeping your pup happy and calm. For example, if it is loud noises – fireworks – that induce the anxiety, then make sure you’re introducing the oil a few days before to try and beat the tension and stress.

Almond Oil

Essential oils can offer so many therapeutic benefits for your dog and will promote better overall health and well-being. Just think, the happier your pup is, the better life they will live. Using these oils will need to be subtle and spearing as your pooch’s sense of smell is incredibly strong and you don’t want to cause them more stress by trapping them in a home full of an overpowering odour. Using Almond oil will not cause stress on your pup's senses, and may also help support their skin and fur health.

Essential Oils For Dogs

Living with a dog that suffers from anxiety can be stressful and worrying – especially if you’re not sure what is causing the tension. Using the oils mentioned above may help you reduce your pup’s discomfort while you try to discover what is triggering their worries.

By using a supplement or creating your own blend of spray, you may find by using calming scents for dogs, you end up with a much happier and more relaxed pup living with you.