Tips & Recipes For Using Essential Oils On Your Cats & Dogs

Essential oils have become a huge trend over the past few years, here in the United States and are used for medicinal purposes, health & beauty products and lots of do-it-yourself items. Another thing they can come in very handy for is to help treat your pets in a natural and safe method.  I have 3 pets: 2 pertain cats Lily and Cocoa and a dog, Ginger.  It is very important to me to used products that will not harm them.

The first thing you do need to be sure of is that your oils must be purely essential oil, with no fillers added, such as perfumes, as that pretty much cancels out the “natural” part and then puts them into the “toxic” category and the last thing you want to do, I’m sure, is put something toxic on your little fur baby.

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Here are a few tips and things to get you started and then we will cover some great recipes you can make yourself as well.

• Animals are much, much smaller than people, so always dilute your oils on them. Use a mild carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
• Never use melaleuca (also known as tea tree oil) on cats
• Use their paws as you would the bottom of the feet in a human. This is a good way to introduce the oils on them without as much difficulty.
• Your pet will respond to certain oils better than other ones, it may take a little trial and error to see which they like best or which they want little to do with, but just like people are, they will be drawn to certain ones over others, and listening to their preferences is very helpful. Many times our bodies are drawn to certain ones because they have properties we need at that time.
•  Lavender is a perfect calming oil for pets. Use a drop, diluted, on the end of the nose, or rub on the ear if your pet is stressed out or hyper. Applying to the paws is another great way as well.
• If your pet has aches or has hurt themselves before and you want to help ease their joints, use frankincense on them, rubbing it right on to the area of pain.
• There are reflexology charts for pets too! Google them and you’ll be very surprised to see how much you can help your animal by applying oils in specific areas by using the chart for reference.

Here are the top recipes you would need in your home for your pets, feel free to change up an oil if needed, by their preference. Many oils share similar benefits and it is easy to substitute so many of them in recipes if one doesn’t go over too well.

Flea Repellent Spray

Using a glass spray bottle of at least 4 oz. add in the following oils: 5 drops cedarwood, 3 drops lavender and 2 drops thyme. Top off with a carrier oil and shake to blend before spraying on. If you use a larger bottle, just adjust the recipe according to the ounces it is.

Spray on the collar behind ears and anyplace you tend to see fleas – warmer areas of the body can be where they spend their time.

It is great to make this as a replacement for the more common flea medicines because those can be very toxic and highly irritable for your animals.

Flea Collar repellent

Similar to the above recipe but in a form, you can rub on your animal’s collar instead.

You will need:

1 tsp alcohol
5 garlic oil capsules
2 drops cedarwood essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
1 drop thyme essential oil

In a glass mixing bowl, open up capsules and get the garlic out as much as possible, then add in the essential oil drops and alcohol. Mix well and then place your pet’s collar into the mixture and let it soak for at least 30 minutes, making sure to get all the solution in it, and spread around if possible.

Let dry and then place on your pet’s neck. You can make this up once a month for them.

Cat scratch repellent

This helps deter your cat from scratching up surfaces.

In a 16 oz. glass or stainless spray bottle, place 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil and 15 drops orange or another citrus oil. Then top off with 2 cups of water.
Shake well to blend before use each time, and spray on any surface you want to keep your kitty from scratching.

Doggy Breath biscuits

You will need:

1 3/4 cups your favorite flour
¾ cup oats
Dash salt
2 bananas, very ripe
3 eggs
2 tbsp. organic peanut butter
2 tbsp. organic coconut oil
5 drops peppermint or spearmint essential oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mash bananas in another bowl and then add in eggs, peanut butter and coconut oil. Blend well and then add in your essential oils, mixing thoroughly to spread them throughout. Now, add ingredients from first bowl to second bowl and blend all together.
Grease cookie sheet. Drop by rounded spoonful on to cookie sheet, leaving space between each one, and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Makes about a dozen biscuits.

Pet Shampoo

Using a 16 oz. glass spray bottle or mason jar, add in 1 tbsp. almond ( or another mild scent) castile soap, a tsp. vitamin e oil, 3 drops spearmint or peppermint essential oil, 2 drops lavender essential oil, 2 drops cedarwood essential oil and 2 drops bergamot essential oil. Blend well and then top off with purified water.

To use: Apply about a tbsp. to your pet (you may need more depending on your pet’s size) and wet to lather. The soap will not be thick, but the castile soap makes it lather up well.

Stink-Away Pet Spray

This spray makes your pet smell good and helps diffuse any of the stinky scent they can sometimes carry.

Using at least an 8 oz. glass or stainless spray bottle, mix in 3 drops lavender essential oil, 2 drops orange essential oil, 2 drops peppermint or spearmint essential oil, 3 drops roman chamomile essential oil and then top off with purified water. Shake up well each time before spraying and use as needed. The oils in this help get rid of germs, calm your pet and help them smell good.

Kitty Litter Odor- Away

Using a large-sized mixing bowl, add in 4 cups baking soda and be sure to remove any lumps well, making it all smooth. Then add in the following essential oils: 10 drops lavender, 5 drops lemon, 4 drops orange, 1 drop thyme. Blend well to disperse oils. Store in airtight container and when changing litter, sprinkle on a tablespoon over the top surface after sifting.

Do you use Essential Oils on pets?  Share any of your favorite recipes in the comment below!

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