Guest Blog by: Michelle Schenker of CanineJournal.com

The safest essential oil for dogs is lavender, and it has many benefits to share with your canine friend. Lavender is very stable and gentle for use on dogs when diffused in the air, sprayed on bedding or diluted for fur application (mix oil with a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil).

Be Cautious

Remember, it is always best to consult your vet before starting any new treatment, even a natural one. It’s not recommended to use essential oils on puppies or toy breeds. Be sure to avoid putting it anywhere near your dog's eyes, nose, mouth or private areas. Cats are not as tolerant of lavender, so do not use it around your feline friends.

Dilute Your Oil

Before we jump into the benefits of lavender for dogs, we want to discuss the most crucial step you must take and understand if you choose to apply lavender essential oil to your dog. You must dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil. If you plan to use lavender oil regularly for your dog, we recommend keeping a bottle or jar of prediluted oil on hand in your cabinet.

A general guideline suggests that the appropriate ratio for large to medium dogs is 1 drop essential oil to 10 drops carrier oil. For small canines, it’s one drop essential oil to 25 drops base oil. Diluting the essential oil is important because its strength is based on the human body, enough for a 100-pound dog.

Non-Oil Options

In addition to lavender oil, Red Rock Ranch and Farm also offers a lovely Lavender Spray Mist that can be sprayed onto your dog’s bed or favorite blanket without dilution, providing a safe and more convenient option than oil.

Calms Anxiety

Okay, now let's talk about the many ways your dog can benefit from lavender. If you have a dog who scares in a thunderstorm, fireworks or when people come over to visit, you will want to keep a high-quality lavender on hand to calm their anxiety.

During stressful times, you can spray mist or diffuse lavender in the air or on bedding to calm both you and your dog during troubling times.

Quiet and soothe your dog by gently rubbing diluted lavender oil into their fur while giving them a gentle massage. We have found success rubbing a drop of diluted oil on our dog's ears to calm it down.

Soothes Wounds & Other Skin Issues

Lavender is soothing and calming. It also has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. These qualities make it an excellent choice for itchy, irritated skin since it may reduce irritation from frequent scratching.

Ward Off Insects

Additionally, lavender can help ward off mosquitoes, fleas and ticks naturally. So it’s a safe option to add a drop to your dog's bath, their collar or even use the Lavender Spray Mist on their bedding.

With so many benefits, lavender is sure to become a staple for you and your dog. We recommend using only the highest quality products on your canine pals, such as Red Rock Ranch and Farm’s Essential Oil or Spray Mist.

Michelle Schenker is an animal enthusiast who shares her love of dogs with the world by helping pet owners gain a better understanding of their beloved pup’s needs on her website www.CanineJournal.com. Since the day she was born, she has lived in a home full of dogs. Her adult home is no exception where she and her husband live with Lily and Barley, their two adorable rescue pups. She’s also an essential oil enthusiast, a yogi and a home kitchen chef.