Dogs have a far stronger sense of smell than we do, and their bodies process some plant compounds differently, so many popular oils are not safe for them. These 20 oils are considered better tolerated when diffused lightly, with the precautions below.
Look for the Dog-Friendly badge. Oils we sell from this list carry a green Dog-Friendly badge on our product pages.
Not for cats. Cats cannot break down essential oils safely, including the oils below. Keep diffusers and bottles away from cats, and ask your vet before using any oil in a home with cats.
20 oils better tolerated around dogs
-
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) shop
Calming; often used around travel or nervous moments. -
Chamomile, Roman or German (Chamaemelum nobile / Matricaria recutita) shop
Soft and soothing for anxious dogs. -
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) shop
Grounding and calm. -
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) shop
Used in very light diffusion, for example before a car trip. -
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) shop
Warm and resinous; use sparingly. -
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) shop avoid with seizure-prone dogs
Only with care. -
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) shop bergapten-free only
Gentler than other citrus oils in light diffusion. -
Cedarwood, Atlas or Virginian (Cedrus atlantica / Juniperus virginiana) shop
Warm, woody and grounding. -
Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis)
A gentle resin oil for a calm room. -
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) shop
Deeply relaxing for high-strung dogs. -
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) shop
Floral and cooling. -
Rose (Rosa damascena) shop
Comforting for skittish or anxious dogs. -
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
A gentle, warm spice scent. -
Sandalwood, Australian (Santalum spicatum) shop
Warm and grounding; use sparingly. -
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
Soft and herbal; use very sparingly. -
Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana) shop
Warm and comforting after an active day. -
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Mild, sweet and herbal. -
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) shop
Earthy and grounding; popular for storm-anxious dogs. -
Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) shop vet guidance only
Only with guidance from your vet. -
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium) shop
From bitter-orange leaves; much gentler than citrus peel oils.
Golden rules for using oils around dogs
- Always leave an exit. Diffuse only in a well-ventilated room, and make sure your dog can leave freely. Never shut a dog in a room with a running diffuser.
- Keep it light and short. 2 to 3 drops, for 30 minutes at a time. Stop straight away if your dog drools, sneezes, paws at its face, seems restless or tired, or avoids the room.
- Never apply undiluted oil. Pure oil can burn or irritate a dog's skin. Only apply oil to your dog if your vet has approved it, and then always heavily diluted in a carrier oil.
- Store bottles out of reach. A dog that licks or chews a bottle needs a vet straight away.
Oils to keep away from dogs completely: tea tree, peppermint, wintergreen, pine, cinnamon, citrus peel oils and eucalyptus. These are toxic to dogs and can cause serious poisoning.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different; ask your vet before using essential oils, especially with puppies, older dogs, pregnant dogs or dogs with a health condition.