Is Vetiver Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?
Many people may not know that vetiver essential oil can be safe for dogs. Vetiver is a type of grass native to India that has an earthy, light clean fragrance. Vetiver essential oil has been used as an animal repellent in the past, but it's now commonly used as an anxiolytic and calming agent for animals. It's usually not recommended to use vetiver essential oil for dogs with liver or kidney problems. Since vetiver contains sesquiterpenes, it can be a skin irritant and cause skin sensitization. Vetiver is also used as an aromatherapy treatment for allergic dermatitis in humans, so it's best to avoid using this essential oil if your dog has a history of recurring dermatitis.
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Vetiver is most commonly used to calm dogs, reduce stress and anxiety, and help them sleep. It's sometimes used to treat bad dog breath as well. The recommended dosage for vetiver essential oil for dogs is 1-3 drops of the pure oil diluted in carrier oil (like coconut or olive oil) applied to the pet's skin or dropped into a diffuser beside his bed at night. You can mix 5 drops of vetiver essential oil with 10 drops of lavender and 2 drops of frankincense diluted in a cup of water for a safe and effective calming spray to use on your dog during training or before leaving him alone in his crate overnight. Its sedative effect also makes it unsafe if there's a risk of drowsiness. You should stay away from any vetiver-based products that are recommended for use in treating insomnia or sleep disorders, especially while you're driving or operating heavy machinery.
Benefits of using vetiver oil for dogs
1) For treating insomnia
Vetiver oil soothes a dog's mind as well as his body, making it an effective calming agent and sleep aid. Vetiver is also a natural and non-habit-forming alternative to valerian, making it a great choice if you have trouble getting your pet to take valerian.
2) For treating stress, anxiety, and nervousness
Vetiver has been proven to be an effective natural calming agent for dogs who are anxious or nervous. Vetiver helps lower blood pressure by increasing blood flow through the body. This is an excellent essential oil for use after being spayed or neutered, before traveling in the car, going to the vet, during fireworks or thunderstorms, or for any stressful situation that makes your dog nervous or anxious.
3) To reduce bad dog breath
Vetiver essential oil is also an effective plant-based deodorizer and can be diffused in your house to keep your dog's breath fresh. Vetiver has a fresh, light, and pleasant fragrance. It's an excellent choice if you like the smell of lemongrass or coriander.
4) For restoring skin health
Vetiver is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial that reduces swelling and redness while bringing the skin back to its natural pH level. The benefits of using vetiver are especially effective if you have a pet with sensitive skin or allergies.
5) To reduce nausea
Vetiver is safe for pregnant or nursing dogs and can be used to reduce nausea. It acts as a natural anti-nausea remedy, especially in cases of travel sickness, motion sickness, and upset stomach.
6) For treating burns and wounds
Vetiver can also help ease the pain from burns and wounds that bother your dog. It's especially useful for treating the digestive system when it's irritated by heat or other causes like ulcers. You can also use vetiver oil on cuts, wounds, swollen legs or paws, abscesses, infections, bites, or scratches on dogs that are prone to causing infections like ticks and fleas.
7) For treating neurological disorders and ADD/ADHD
Vetiver essential oil can help children with ADD or ADHD, as well as pets who may suffer from MS, epilepsy, or seizures. It can also be used to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.
8) For treating diarrhea
Vetiver is an effective natural treatment for inflammatory bowel disease that causes diarrhea. It can also help with the digestive system and relieve pain.
9) For treating asthma
Vetiver helps ease breathing problems in dogs who suffer from asthma. It's also safe for pregnant or nursing animals.
10) To prevent skin infections
Vetiver is an effective natural antiseptic used to treat wounds, warts, and other types of skin infections in people and animals. It's commonly used by people in traditional Indian medicine to treat wounds on the body as well as for cuts, abscesses, carbuncles, boils, lumps, and tumors on the skin. People use it for dressing burns as well as to stop bleeding.
How to use vetiver essential oil for dogs?
Step 1: Extract the oil from vetiver essential oil: This is simply accomplished by using a steam distiller or an essential oil extraction kit. Some companies that sell essential oils also offer kits that allow for all types of extraction methods.
Step 2: Mix the oil with carrier oils: There are different ways to mix vetiver essential oil with carrier oils, depending on your purpose and preference. You can use it alone in its pure form, or you can dilute it and apply it to your pet's skin to promote healing.
Step 3: Apply an essential oil dilution: You can use the dilution method when you wish to use vetiver for skin problems, or on your dog's paws, nose, and tail for hair health and odor elimination. You can mix 5 drops of vetiver essential oil with 10 drops of lavender and 2 drops of frankincense diluted in a cup of water for a safe and effective calming spray to use on your dog during training or before you leave him alone in his crate overnight.
Step 4: Add the essential oil to a diffuser for a soothing effect: You can also add vetiver essential oil to a diffuser or humidifier to help soothe your dog and reduce his anxiety.
Step 5: Add the oil to your pet's toys: You can also add vetiver essential oil to toys that you use with your pets as they will enjoy the smell and it will help them to remain calm.
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Step 6: Add it to food: You can add vetiver oil to your dog's food, however, it is not recommended that you do this regularly as there are other things that you can give your pet, including calming supplements, which have been proven more effective than adding oils directly to meals.
FAQs
1) How long will the scent last in a carrier oil?
It depends on the carrier oil that you are using. Some carrier oils have a strong scent that will start to fade within a few weeks, while others are very stable and smell the same for many years.
2) Will dogs be attracted to the scent of vetiver?
Vetiver is absorbed through your pet's body and does not leave any lingering fragrance. It will not attract your dog or encourage him to lick his paws or coat. Vetiver essential oil has been used to calm pets before surgery. It helps stimulate blood flow and reduce chemical reactions in the body that cause anxiety.
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