Everyone loves their dog and it can be heartbreaking to watch them deal with anxious feelings. Some dogs suffer from anxiousness in response to being away from their owners. Other dogs are afraid of loud noises and thunder. Dog owners often don’t know what to do in these high-stress situations except to comfort their pets and hope for the stress-inducing trigger to pass. Fortunately, there is a natural remedy to help calm anxious dogs. In this article, I’ll share with you a simple way to promote a calm atmosphere when the next stressful situation arises.
How to Calm Anxious Dogs: Natural Remedy
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is very gentle and easy to use and is often referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife” of essential oils. This is because it may work to improve a very long list of physical and emotional ailments. In the case of how to help calm anxious dogs with a natural remedy, lavender may promote a calming effect for dogs. Therefore, this peaceful state allows dogs to better deal with situations that tend to cause them stress.
Read more about the benefits of lavender essential oil here.
How to Use Lavender Essential Oil to Help Calm Anxious Dogs
Using lavender essential oil to help stressed dogs is easy. First, simply “rub 1-2 drops between hands and apply to muzzle, between toes, on tops of feet for the dog to smell, and on edges of ears” (Modern Essentials, 2015). Second, sit back and let the lavender work. Your dog should enjoy the effects of the lavender essential oil within minutes. Don’t be surprised if this natural remedy causes you to become more peaceful and relaxed too!
A Word About the Safety of Using Essential Oils on Pets
Clearly, essential oils can have many benefits when using them to calm anxious dogs. However, it is very important to understand that all oils are not created equal. Please be sure that you purchase therapeutic grade essential oils that are certified pure from a reputable source. Many oils found in stores and online are filled with cheap filler oils and some are even toxic. Please do your homework before using any essential oil brand. In addition, please note that all essential oils should not be used internally.
Finally, it is important to understand that many oils are not safe for pets–especially cats. Please talk to your veterinarian before beginning any essential oil regimen with your pet.
Reference:
Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils (6th ed.). (2015). Orem, UT: Aroma Tools.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product/website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.
I’ve got two great white Pyrenees who love to bark…at EVERYTHING! The nerve of those squirrels climbing in the trees! I use lavender on days they seem to be especially “barky” and it works! I rub a little on the tips of their ears and within minutes they settle down! Wonderful!
Yay for lavender!
I will give it a try. I’ll keep you posted. I have a West highlander terrier, he’s very active, which I can deal with. It’s the barking at people I can’t take. He’s very social and thinks everyone is a play mate, hence the barking.
I have a pyr. Thanks for sharing! We are getting one tomorrow to foster, hence me reading up on anxiety.
I would like to try this on our little mixed breed (half Yorkshire Terrier and half Toy Fox Terrier). Do you need a carrier oil, or can you just put on a few drops of straight lavender essential oil?
Hi and great question! Lavender essential oil is one of the most gentle oils out there. Therefore, it can be applied directly without a carrier oil. I would only use one drop to begin with–especially if you fur baby is on the small size. You can work up from there if one drop doesn’t do the job. Hope that helps!
I’m seriously considering purchasing Lavender oil for my 2 dogs, a lab/chow/boxer mix & a shitsu-itsu. It’s fireworks time at my house and my dogs would climb inside me if they could because they’re so terrified.
My worry is I have a couple of cats and I don’t want to harm them. Will the lavender oil hurt my cats?
Hi! You are smart to be concerned about essential oils with your cats as there are some that cats cannot tolerate (melaleuca, wintergreen, etc.). However, lavender should be just fine as it is considered to be the “mildest” of all the oils. I know what you mean about fireworks! My poor doxies freak out with the loud booms! Just be sure to purchase quality essential oils and avoid the ones found at big box stores as they typically contain cheap filler oils are not effective.
So here are question, what can be used instead of lavender? I’m allergic to lavender, causes about sorts of problems for me, but my dachshund has anxiety with loud need. She hides between our legs, beneath our chairs or anywhere we are, she is glued to us. She even went down our stairs for the first time to get to us.
Hi! You could try using Frankincense essential oil instead. You can diffuse it or apply 1 drop to your pet’s collar. I would use a cheap collar for oil use since the oils can discolor fabric. It’s best if you can begin using it before the anxious situation arises, but I know that’s not always possible. I just love dachshunds–I have two!
I use Lavendar oil all the time. I use it in my diffusers. It calms my dogs and helps me relax at night too.
I just love lavender essential oil! You can use it for a million things! Glad you’re having success with it!