Dogs and Aromas
As you may know dogs have an incredible sense of smell. With that in mind it is important to avoid intense aromas around dogs. An aroma that may smell great to you may be overpowering to their senses. It is a good rule of thumb that if you are going to be using fragrance emitting products to make sure to give your pet a scent free escape zone. If your pet has a history of breathing problems, it may be best to avoid using these products altogether.
Please note that there has not been many scientific studies done regarding animals and fragrances and a good bit of mis-information is out there on the web. None of these claims have been evaluated by the FDA nor can be backed up by scientific research. Any information contained here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your pet appears to have serious health concerns, consult a vet!
The ancient peoples including Egyptians, Greeks and even the Chinese had a strong understanding of how aromatic flowers/herbs and plants could be used to their benefit, and have been using this natural treatment for centuries. People have recently started applying this to the canines in their lives. Aromatherapy works by stimulating the lymbic system of the brain (this is the part of the brain that controls moods and emotions), which is why it's so effective in eliminating feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, anger etc.
It has been reported that certain fragrances and oils can cause harm to dogs. With the increase in usage of essential oils in our homes I have decided to list them out here along with ones that are generally listed as non-harmful. This is by no means a strict guideline, but more of a recommendation. As with any fragrance producing method keep an eye on your pooch to make sure they are not having a negative impact on them. If you are burning candles always make sure they are never left unattended around your pets. If you have plugin diffusers make sure your pet cannot access it.
Essential oils reported to be safe for dogs:
- Bergamot
- Chamomile
- Cedarwood
- Clary Sage
- Eucalyptus
- Ginger
- Lavender
- Lemon Grass
- Marjoram
- Niaouli
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Sandalwood
- Sweet Orange
- Valerian
- Vanilla
- Vetiver
Essential oils reported to be toxic to dogs:
- Anise
- Birch
- Bitter Almond
- Camphor
- Cassia
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Pennyroyal
- Pine
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of safe or non-safe oils. If you are not sure whether an oil is safe to use around your dog, consult your veterinarian.