Lavender is a beautiful flower with soft purple petals and with relaxing fragrance. It can be applied in various ways, providing relief for those who want to relax, sleep better, or simply have a fresher room. But being a dog owner, you might question whether lavender is safe to use with dogs.
Lavender may be used to make the dogs feel relaxed in a few instances. However, it is harmful in other instances, particularly when it is utilized in the wrong manner.
Here we shall describe when lavender can be used, when it should not and how to apply lavender oil on a dog safely. You will also find out about symptoms of allergies and obvious ways to make your pooch happy and healthy.
Lavender Plant
The lavender plant has green leaves and purple flowers. It has an agreeable odour, and in gardens is frequently cultivated or pressed into dry flower mixtures. Although the plant appears non-toxic, it produces a chemical which is called linalool. When ingested in a amounts, this may be poisonous to dogs.
By swallowing lavender flowers or leaves, your dog might have indigestion, feel fatigued or vomit. Dogs, too, will have an allergy to the lavender plant as a human being would to foreign particles such as pollen or grass.
Lavender Oil
The flowers are processed into a strong liquid known as lavender oil. It finds uses in candles, sprays and lotions, even in pet products. It is, however, much potent than the plant. Gallons of flowers are only the equivalent of drops of oil.
The Lavender oil is an extremely strong oil and therefore should be diluted prior to application around dogs.
Keep your dog away from having access to the oil by licking or eating. And never put pure lavender oil on their skin-It will make them sick or it will come out in a burn.
Therefore, although the plant smells good as well as the oil, it should be used with caution. Now, we shall get to know whether lavender is toxic to dogs and the extent to which it is too much.
Is lavender poisonous to dogs?
Lavender may be safe for dog owners, but only when applied well. Excessive usage of the plant and oil, as well as eating it by a dog, can be harmful.
The Dangers of Lavender Plant
Eating some pieces of a lavender plant may not sound like big news when it comes to a dog. However, lavender has linalool that may prove to be a nuisance to dogs when taken in high doses. Indications that your dog is ill after eating lavender are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Being tired or feeble
- Loss of appetite
Call your vet in case you suspect that your dog consumed many lavender leaves or flowers. Safety is always the best policy.
Risks of Lavender Oil
In comparison, lavender oil is very potent as compared to the plant itself. The undiluted lavender oil can be painful to your dog in case he licks a small amount of the undiluted oil or in case it comes in direct contact with his skin.
Some of the common symptoms are:
- Drooling or vomiting ( should it be swallowed)
- Rashes or redness of the skin (on direct contact)
- Difficulty in breathing (in case the scent is too heavy)
Do not allow lavender oil to get into your dog or be licked off their fur. Oils should always be well stored away.
Is lavender safe in dogs, then? Yes–in moderation, though. The following section will discuss the health advantages of lavender oil on dogs when used properly.
Benefits of Lavender Oil for Dogs
Lavender Oil is beneficial to dogs as follows.
Lavender oil has the potential to make a dog relaxed, happy, and calm when it is applied properly. Some go to the extent of using it to ease itchy skin or make their dogs sleep better. However, keep with this one rule: that it must always be diluted and used sparingly.
- Assists in the Management of Anxiety
Lavender oil can be used to calm the dog due to its mild smell. It may be useful at:
Explosions or storms known as thunderstorms
Vet or car rides
There are periods of loneliness for your dog
Adequate calming of your pup may be done with a few drops on a diffuser (in a well-ventilated room).
- Facilitates a Good Sleep
When you have a dog that struggles to find down when it is time to retire in the evening, then lavender fragrance in the room can be of some assistance. It makes a calm atmosphere and stimulates relaxation.
- Items Which May Relieve Itchy Skin
Others apply diluted lavender oil to alleviate irritation of the skin (due to an insect bite or perhaps a patchy skin region). Just gently put a little bit of it onto a pet product (such as a gentle carrier oil, such as coconut oil) and rub it into a part of your body that is out of harm (with the permission of a vet).
- Homemade, natural bug repellent
It may also help in keeping away insects, including fleas and mosquitoes, by using lavender oil. Don’t use it as a complete repellent, but just in case, check with your vet first.
Lavender oil can perform some miracles, but not unless it is properly used. Then we will discuss the safe use of lavender oil on dogs.
How to Use Lavender Oil Safely
The use of lavender oil can treat a dog with caution, but when misused, it may cause illnesses in the dog. The safe application around your pup is as follows:
- Never put pure oil on a cut or broken skin
Lavender oil is a very powerful one. Take it never directly out of the bottle directly. It can never be used undiluted, so mix it with a carrier oil such as:
Coconut oil
Olive oil
Almond oil
Safe mix: 1-2 drops of lavender oil to 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil. This prevents burns or poor responses on the skin.
- Take Precautions when using a Diffuser
If you have a room where your dog can go away, then you can put 2-3 drops of lavender oil in a water-based diffuser. The constant use of the diffuser should not be practised; 15 to 30 minutes is sufficient.
It is important to ensure that the room is well ventilated, and you should never lock your dog in a room filled with potent smells.
- Experiment with Light Topical Application (Has the Goover of the Vet)
You may apply the small amount on:
- Your pet dog collar
- Not inside, but behind their ears (Photo)
- Their foot pads
Test the patch before applying it to the skin of your dog and consult your vet.
- Your Dog Must Never Eat Lavender Oil
By mouth or in food, Lavender oil must never be given. When ingested, it may cause vomiting or weakness in cases of extreme exposure to it.
The lavender oil could be useful when applied properly. However, when in doubt, do it gradually, keep a close eye on your dog and consult with your vet before doing anything–particularly where they have health problems.
Possible Allergic Reactions and Side Effects
Some dogs can react to lavender. The reactions could be expressed physically as scratching, red skin, sneezing, or an upset stomach. Should your dog develop any of them after sniffing or putting his nose in lavender, kindly stop using it. Do not apply lavender oil to your pet around the eyes, the nose or around the mouth. Moreover, one should not apply it to puppies or dogs that have a breathing issue. Do not make any assumptions about using lavender oil on your pet without consulting your vet first.
Cases where Lavender should not be used on Dogs
Do not use lavender on very young (under 10 weeks) dogs that have breathing difficulties or dogs with known skin allergies. It can also be avoided in case your dog has been shocked towards the smell previously. Call your vet immediately in the case of your dog eating a lavender plant or oil. Even quite an insignificant amount can upset their stomach or cause other complications. In cases where there is no certainty, clear of lavender or get a consultation from your vet before exposure to your dog is always better.
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