It’s been 8 years since we’ve had a 4 legged family member. After a few months of visiting shelters and rescues, we finally found the pup for us: a Beaski (Beagle/Husky mix)!
His name is Captain and he is equal parts of adorable and annoying.
Not only has it been years since our last pet, but we’ve never had a puppy before—it feels a lot like having a toddler again!
Potty training, whining, exploring unauthorized areas, putting everything in his mouth…yeah, sounds like a toddler!
Essential Oils for Dogs
To ease the transition period (and maintain sanity!), I’m using essential oils for puppies to help us all acclimate better.
Keep in mind that not all essential oils are suitable for pets and dosage varies according to size.
The ones I mention below are dog-safe, but be sure to first research any oil you would like to use on your animal.
Because a dog’s scent of smell is so sensitive, never put oils on the nose or face, as not to overwhelm them.
Lavender:
the great calmer! Transitioning into a new home and family is a big change for a pup. Gentle lavender can help puppies with their separation anxiety and get them settled in easier.
I rub one drop (plus one drop of Fractionated Coconut Oil-FCO) between my hands and gently stroke Cap from the neck down to the tail.
Frankincense:
never ceases to amaze me! This oil is as gentle as it is powerful. When a pup is that full-tilt frenzy of nipping, barking or racing around (our trainer calls it the “Zoomies”), rub one drop of Frankincense + one drop of FCO between your palms and stroke down his spine, then stroke from the top of his head down behind his ears, neck, shoulders.
Aromatically, Frankincense is equally effective. After Cap has his pre-dawn potty break, he usually whines going back in his crate. To calm him, I just open the bottle and have him smell it directly from the bottle. (Never force your puppy. Hold out the bottle and let him come as close as he wants to smell it.) In moments, he’s tramping around his blankets, making a nest and settling down.
Purify:
puppy potty accidents are inevitable. Of course, you need to disinfect and de-stink, but you don’t want harmful or harsh toxic cleansers around a baby pup (or the rest of your family!)
The Purify blend is brilliant for this! It’s a mix of cleansing oils like Lemon, Lime, Fir, Pine, Citronella, & Tea Tree (Melaleuca) to thorough disinfect and freshen, safely.
Here’s my recipe for an after-accident cleanser:
- In a 16 oz glass spray bottle, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.
- Add 1TBSP of a non-toxic Castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s unscented)
- Add 10-15 drops of Purify or Peppermint essential oil.
- Shake well before each use.
Note: Although Tea Tree (Melaleuca) is one of the oils in the Purify blend, it should NOT be used directly on your dog.
In some cases, Tea Tree has caused adverse reactions in dogs. However, as it is just one of the oils used in the Purify blend, and I’m diluting it a lot with the water/vinegar, and I’m using it on a surface, not the dog himself, I feel comfortable using this blend.
However, should you notice any adverse reactions in your dog when using ANY oil, contact your vet immediately.
Essential Oils for Puppies
Essential oils are a wonderful option for new puppy parents. When used with care, they can help during the tough times of puppyhood, making it easier to enjoy the fun of having a new furry family member.
Need some oils for your dog or puppy?
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Hi,
I have a yorkie puppy who is 10 weeks old and he gets an odor very quickly following a bath and does not play outdoors, as he is also being indoor potty trained on pads. What essential oils can be used for this
Hi Shonia. I’m not a vet, of course, but if your dog is having unusual odor even after a bath, you might want to see if there is a more serious issue, and visit a vet.
With that said, if you would like to simply try and use an essential oil on your pup to help him smell better, Lavender might be a good option. Most dogs can benefit from it’s calming qualities as well. I only recommend doTERRA oils, as they are pure, and tested grade. Other oils may not be as advertised and could possibly irritate your dog’s skin.
Since you have a small dog, be sure to properly dilute for your dog’s size. Start with 2 tsp of carrier oil with 1 drop of Lavender. Mix well. Then apply a couple of drops of this blend on your hands and stroke along his back; always avoid the face & paws when using essential oils.
Hi there.
Just wondering what oil/oils you would recommend for toilet training a puppy to they don’t keep going in the same spot! Any help would be much appreciated.
Hello! I haven’t used oils to help with potty training, but I know that dogs do not like the smell of vinegar. I’ve seen it recommended before to put a cloth with vinegar on the area that you do not want your dog to pee on. Hopefully, that will help teach him/her to find the correct potty place!
Hi! Do you recommend any oils that you can spray or put on things that a puppy shouldn’t chew, like a table leg or slipper? Thank you!
Hi Amy,
I haven’t tried oils to prevent chewing, as our puppy didn’t have a chewing problem (thankfully!) With our last dog, I did use some of the chewing prevention sprays from the pet supply store, they didn’t seem to deter our dog! You might give those a try though, as they are formulated to prevent chewing, but are non-toxic, should you pup lick them…like ours did!
CBD oil is really for pets. I recommend it.
Thanks for your input, Gloria. The issue with CBD oil (which is actually the CBD extract blended with a carrier oil), is the majority of them on the market are adulterated or even completely synthetic, which results in non-optimal or inconsistent benefits. Copaiba essential oil is the option I recommend for both humans and pets that need support in those body systems. As always, dilute essential oils when using them on pets, being especially careful about dilution for smaller animals.