Using essential oils for treating anxiety in dogs is becoming the next new fad among dog lovers. Will they will work for your dog or should you even consider investing your money in them are some questions that most of us have on our mind.
This article will make it clear whether certain essential oil products are worth buying. You will find out how some of these products work, what effects they produce to reduce anxiety and what you need to look for while you are purchasing them.
Most essential oil products are not good for your dog. They can cause skin burn or rashes if not properly applied. One product that I would recommend is the Canine Coddler Pet Anxiety Essential Oil which has oils like frankincense, chamomile and lavender that help alleviate anxiety. Its smell can be a little strong for some. I will explain how crucial the smell of the product is when buying an essential oil, but before that, let me tell you about some of the best essential oils I have found for dogs.
Canine Coddler Pet Anxiety Essential Oil
The essential oil by Canine Coddler is a mixture of several essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, frankincense and ylang ylang. Known for their calming properties, these oils are therapeutic and help treat various ailments related to anxiety.
This blend works best for dogs that fret while you drive them to the vet’s clinic or when there is a lot of noise that makes them uncomfortable. The lavender in it works best to calm down a hyperactive dog, while the frankincense quietens the worrying mind of your pup.
It uses aromatherapy which is a form of homeopathic treatment for calming the nervous system. It is a great alternative to using drugs to tranquilize your pet when it becomes too tense due to external triggers.
Not all oils are safe for your dog as some are known to be poisonous for them. To make sure the product is completely safe for your dog, the company adds only those essential oils that are fit for dogs. Being a natural way of treating apprehensive behavior, this product by Canine Coddler is a more suitable option than administering drugs and medications.
As it contains a blend of several different fragrant substances, the Canine Coddler Pet Anxiety Essential Oil has a smell which has mixed reviews on whether it is pleasant or distinctly nauseating. Beside lavender and frankincense, this bottle also has a rose and chamomile oil blend. All the different oils give it a particular smell which may or may not come off as pleasant.
If you are sensitive to strong scents, this essential oil will not be ideal for you. It is highly likely that you will detest the concentrated fragrance of this product. However, despite the strong smell, it does give positive results and will definitely help reduce unwanted barks from your dog if not eliminate them altogether.
Furthermore, each bottle comes with a money-back guarantee. If you purchase this product and find that it does not work well with your dog, the company vows to refund your money.
To test whether your dog will like it, pour a drop or two of the essential oil on your hand and let your furry baby sniff it. If it recoils at the smell or responds in a way which indicates its rejection, secure the cap on the essential oil and take advantage of the company’s money-back guarantee.
Specifications
- The product comes in a 3.7” x 1.4” x 1.3” bottle
- It weighs 3 ounces
- It has a dropper cap
Artizen Lavender Essential Oil
This essential oil by Artizen is composed of pure lavender without any trace of carrier oils. Sweet almond, sesame, jojoba and rose hip oil are a few carrier oils which are used for diluting essential oils, but they are not included in this product. It gives you pure lavender oil free from any dilutions.
As it is not adulterated, it gives you lavender oil in its purest form. This brand offers good value for money as it gives you concentrated lavender oil without any compromise on quality.
This one is a good pick if you are a novice and are using essential oils for calming your dog for the first time. Lavender is also useful for humans. It will not only make your dog calm but also give you a pleasant-smelling home.
With its use, your dog will not bark unnecessarily as its tension will subside. You can use this oil before you are about to take your dog in a car or on a bus. The oil will placate the hyperactive nature of your dog and help it relax for the entire journey.
It comes in an ultraviolet coating that protects the oil from degrading too soon. You can use it for an indefinite period of time as it will not expire upon exposure to sunlight. You can place it on a shelf or in a cupboard without worrying that it will degrade quickly. The protective covering increases the shelf life of this product.
Furthermore, the company provides a lifetime warranty as well as a lifetime guarantee. Hence, if you do not get satisfactory results from this product, the company will either refund your money or replace your bottle with a new one.
One important thing to note is that as the Artizen Lavender Essential Oil is an undiluted form of essential oil, it is not safe to use on your dog’s fur. You need to either dilute it by adding water or use it with a humidifier. It is best if you use it in an atomizer or spray it in your car before you are about to hit the road.
Some customer reviews show that this oil is not pure tea tree oil. Plus, though it smells essentially like lavender, it can burn your skin. Hence, you must avoid using it directly on your mutt’s coat. However, given that the bottle will last a long time and that you get 100% pure lavender oil without any adulteration, this oil gives good value for money.
Specifications
- The packaging has dimensions 4.5 x 2.4 x 1.6 inches
- It weighs 2.4 ounces
- Made of 100% pure lavender oil
Essential Oil for Your Dog’s Anxiety
Essential Oil for Your Dog’s Anxiety uses organic essential oils to create a blend. It does not make any tall claims and clearly mentions it is not a cure for your dog’s anxiety but will help.
It induces aromatherapy by using blends made by practitioners and aromatherapists. The product is USDA certified and uses essential oils that are both organic and pure. It is manufactured by using some of the most popular recipes for essential oils which you can find on the internet by professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike.
This little bottle is cheap and you can get it by paying just a few bucks. It is a sound pick if you want to try out essential oils but are not sure if they will suit your dog. This small investment will help you figure out whether essential oils will help your dog.
Apply a small amount of this essential oil on the palms of your hands and extend them toward your dog to see whether it responds positively to the scent of the essential oil. If you find out that your furry baby is comfortable with the product, you can always look for other options in the market. With this product, you make a small investment to test whether aromatherapy is suitable for your dog.
As there are carrier oils in it, you can use it for topical application right away. It saves you the hassle of mixing water or measuring out precise proportions of carrier oils before applying it onto the fur of your dog. This feature makes it convenient to use. You can simply take out a few drops on your hand using the oil dropper and start rubbing it onto the back of your pet’s neck to calm it down.
Similar to other products I have reviewed so far, the Essential Oil for Dog’s Anxiety also comes with a guarantee. If you find that the product is not working for your dog at all, you can get your money back.
Try testing it on your dog by first letting it sniff your hand coated with the essential oil. If your dog moves away from your hand after sniffing it or if it starts rubbing itself against the rug or floor after you applied the essential oil to its fur, contact the manufacturer and you will get your money back.
One downside of this product is that it does not work well with diffusers. According to many reviewers, this product will not give you great results if you put it in a diffuser. As its essential oil ratio is quite low and it is not as concentrated as a pure essential oil, using it with a diffuser will only reduce its effect. Hence, it will not be as effective in a diffuser as it will be if you apply it directly to your mutt’s fur.
Specifications
- This product has dimensions of 4.2 x 3.8 x 2.3 inches
- The item weighs 1.6 ounces
- This essential oil is certified by the USDA
- It comes in a 10 ml amber glass bottle
My Peaceful Paws Essential Oil
My Peaceful Paws is a blend of essential oils that help alleviate anxiety in dogs. It uses mandarin, neroli and spikenard essential oils to name a few. For those of you with dogs with separation anxiety as well as phobias, this blend will work wonders.
Usually, dogs feel deeply out of sorts when they are in a noisy place or in the middle of a crowd or during thunderstorms. Some become anxious when you throw a house party and invite guests over. These situations can make your dog feel agitated more than it would, which can be a great cause for concern.
A few drops of My Peaceful Paws essential oil can help calm down your dog so that you can have a peaceful ambiance at home instead of one where your dog keeps being flustered.
One feature which brings me back to this product over and over is that I can apply it directly onto my dog’s skin without fearing it might turn out to be harmful. You can easily pour a few drops on your hands and start massaging your dog’s neck and back with it. Apply some to its chest and paws as well if you dog is incredibly uncomfortable. It will soothe it.
Be careful that the drops don’t go into your dog’s eyes, mouth or nose. Always protect these sensitive areas when giving it a topical application of essential oils.
This one works exceptionally well for old, aging dogs. Older dogs are said to develop separation anxiety more often than younger ones. Their chances of showing anxiety symptoms are also higher than younger dogs. This blend will make your anxious old mutt calm down and relax. It will help it get some relief when you leave it for some time or when you have fireworks on the fourth of July.
However, the manufacturers mention it clearly that this product is not an all-out remedy for anxiety or to treat anxiety-related ailments. It only helps reduce the frequency of apprehensive behaviors such as panting and barking by appeasing your dog’s senses. Thus, don’t get into the situation with the belief that it will cure your dog.
Despite that you can conveniently apply it directly onto your dog, it can be a little restricting at times. For instance, you can only use it for older dogs and not for puppies, especially not on ones younger than ten weeks. Apart from that, you cannot use it in a diffuser, so the only choice for you to use this essential oil is through topical application.
Specifications
- Its dimensions are 2.8 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches
- The item weighs 1.6 ounces
- It comes in an oil dropper glass bottle
Dog Fashion Spa Dog Anxiety Relief Natural Oil
Just as the name indicates, Dog Fashion Spa gives a spa-like feeling to your little buddy, making it relax and rejuvenating it at the same time. It uses natural ingredients, which helps your pup during stressful conditions such as in a car, during stormy weather or in a noisy area. You can even use it on your dog while traveling by air.
It helps alleviate separation anxiety which your mutt might develop as it grows old. This product uses aromatherapy to calm your dog’s stressed nerves so that peace and tranquility prevail over it. The blend of essential oils used in making this product does not only help your dog, but you can also apply it on yourself as it is suitable for both dogs and humans.
Applying essential oils was never this easy. Dog Fashion Spa comes in a convenient and compact design. It is a roll-on stick rather than the usual oil dropper. All you need to do is to take out the roll-on stick, twist it and apply it in a circular motion near your dog’s ears and see the effects for yourself.
It is a good option for dogs struggling with anxiety. Once you are done massaging it on your dog, it will calm down and relax, making it comfortable and confident like never before.
It uses natural ingredients which have different therapeutic abilities that make them suitable for relieving anxiety. For instance, the tangerine peel in this product helps relax your dog in stressful situations. Similarly, the bergamot and lavender oil help make it calm and reduce its tension. Ylang ylang helps improve its behavior by keeping unwanted feelings of jealousy and anger in your dog at bay.
There are several other ingredients found in nature like the ones mentioned above that make this product an all-rounder for relieving all the negative feelings in your dog which are detrimental to its behavior.
One thing which makes people think twice before investing in this product is its scent. According to some reviews, its smell is a little overpowering and some dogs and owners alike do not find it very pleasant. The peppery smell of certain ingredients may even make your dog sneeze the first time you use it.
If the smell is not a problem, it will prove to be really effective at calming your dog to an extent that it would fall asleep as soon as you massage the oil on its fur.
Specifications
- Its dimensions are 0.8 x 0.8 x 3.4 inches
- It weighs 1.44 ounces
- It comes in a roll-on stick
Naturenics Premium Lavender Essential Oil
Technically, this one is not for your dog but for humans. However, the Naturenics Premium Lavender Essential Oil can be used for dogs if they like it. You can use it as aromatherapy for your dog and use it for yourself as well if you like lavender. Since it is jampacked with lots of lavender, it will keep you wondering whether all the lavenders in the world have been reduced into this little bottle.
Most lavender oils do not contain lavenders at all. Instead, they have a synthetic chemical that mimics real lavender. Such products are not too heavy on your wallet, but they do not work too well if you want aromatherapy. For therapeutic purposes, you need to have pure essential oils made up of the ingredient whose results you are seeking, which is what this product offers.
As mentioned earlier, lavender oil is great for calming your dog. It is a versatile oil with different therapeutic benefits. If you are going to celebrate with firecrackers or go on a long drive, this product will alleviate your dog’s anxiety and relax its nerves.
Dogs usually get anxious due to sudden shifts in their surroundings. Essential oils relieve their fears and worries that originate from the changes in their surroundings by soothing them. They help lower blood pressure, relieve tensed muscles and spread calm over your little pooch. Furthermore, this essential oil by Naturenics is free from harmful substances and is certified to be pure.
It has a high concentration of lavender, making it last longer than one with a lower concentration. With a high concentration, you can achieve results faster. However, you have to be cautious while using it for your dog as it can be harmful if you use it carelessly. Since it is concentrated, you need to make sure you dilute it first before you apply it on your dog, though we recommend using it with a diffuser instead of applying it directly.
Though it comes in a bundle offer, it is an expensive product. This one will blow a hole in your wallet. Watch out for that if you are a little short on money. Apart from that, it helps alleviate anxiety in your dog and gets the job done.
Specifications
- Its dimensions are 5.4 x 2.1 x 2 inches
- It weighs 6.4 ounces
- It comes in a glass dropper bottle
Buyer’s Guide
Usually, older dogs develop separation anxiety, but using essential oils can help them. However, it is tricky to settle on a product as old dogs have weak bodies and sensitive skin. You have to be careful when you choose an essential oil product for your dog as some can be harmful for them.
Here, I have listed some of the features which you must consider before you decide to buy an essential oil for your dog struggling with anxiety. You must look closely for these features when you make a purchase so that you can get the best product for your money.
Essential Oil Used
The essential oils used in a product are the first factor that you need to consider. While these oils have many therapeutic qualities, not all of them will help alleviate anxiety. Certain essential oils which specifically help calm down anxious dogs are the ones you must look for in the product you choose.
Lavender oil is beneficial for relaxing a dog that frets a lot. The Artizen Lavender Essential Oil is a good choice if you want to go with lavender.
You also need to keep in mind that some essential oils are harmful for dogs. You seriously need to avoid them.
Smell
There are many essential oils with great results that have only a handful of buyers just because the product does not smell nice. You have to keep in mind that your dogs have a strong sense of smell, so their choices depend on their nose. Look for an essential oil that does not have an overpowering scent which your dog would not like. Besides, essential oils with strong smells are not even popular among humans, let alone dogs.
Concentration
The concentration of a particular essential oil can tell you how long it would last. Highly concentrated oils are 100% pure without any carrier oils, but you need to dilute them before you can use them. You can choose a concentrated essential oil if you want a product that will last long and if you don’t have any problem diluting the oil before using. However, if you are looking for an oil which you can directly apply on your dog, diluted essential oils are the way to go, but they will not usually work if you use them with a diffuser.
Application Method
There are some products that allow you to pour a few drops on your hand and start massaging your dog. My Peaceful Paws is one such product which is fit for topical use.
On the other hand, there are some that are not suitable for topical application unless you dilute them with a fair amount of water first. However, these types of products are excellent for using with a diffuser. There are roll-on sticks available as well.
The options are varied. Consider the application method which you are comfortable with and see if the product you choose allows you to apply the essential oil in the way you want.
Final Thoughts
It is important that you do your homework before you pick out a product to help your dog feel relaxed and calm. You also need to remember that essential oils only make your dog feel good instead of curing anxiety. Don’t expect a miracle to happen.
Nonetheless, essential oils do a great job at relaxing the nerves of your pooch. I really like the Canine Coddler Pet Anxiety Essential Oil for my dear little mutt simply because of the various essential oils in this product that have a soothing effect on my dog.
I hope that you will find the best essential oil for your doggo, just like I did for mine. I also hope that my guidelines for narrowing down a product were helpful for you.