You love to share essential oils with your family, so it makes sense that you want to share them with your pets as well! Before you begin using essential oils for pets, you need to know the answers to some important questions: Can you use essential oils on dogs, cats, and other pets the same way you use them on yourself? How much should you use? What is the best way to administer oils for topical use?

It is important to note that animals cannot tell us if something is working or not, so we must exercise due caution and approach using oils on animals safely and responsibly. Not all essential oils are created equal. Make sure you are getting good information from qualified people who have used our Young Living oils with their animals successfully – this may or may not be an animal health professional.
Please note that these are general recommendations for use. Please refer to a Veterinarian that is skilled and trained in the use of essential oils for the best route to go with your animal. If your pet is pregnant, nursing, or has a medical condition, consult a veterinarian with experience with essential oils before use.
Basic Guidelines
There are some general tips and suggestions you’ll want to keep in mind as you share essential oils with your furry friends.

  • Animals are generally more sensitive to essential oils than humans are. It’s best to heavily dilute essential oils and use them in moderation.
  • Use extreme caution when using essential oils on and around cats or dogs under 8 weeks old because they are developing at fast rates; it is easy to mess up the proper dilution for each breed and size.
  • Every animal is different, so carefully observe how your animal responds to essential oils. Use common sense and good judgment as you try different methods.
  • Be especially careful not to get essential oils in an animal’s eyes.
  • If diffusing, always allow cats or dogs access to areas where they can avoid the diffused oil.
  • Use special caution with cats and essential oils. Consult a veterinarian with essential oil experience before using around them.
Essential Oil Acclimation
Your pets may need some time to adjust to the new scents and sensations of essential oils. Use these tips to introduce your pets to essential oils easily and comfortably.

  • Wear essential oils throughout the day, so your pets will be exposed to the aroma as you hold them, play, or cuddle on the couch.
  • Diffuse essential oils in spaces where your pets like to relax. A safe introduction to pets often starts with diffusing in their area (1-2 drops in a water-based diffuser) with an exit option. This gives a very LOW concentration into the air space and is a good place to start. Closely watch for signs of irritation — such as whining, sniffing, nervousness, and excessive scratching — while diffusing around them.
  • Apply an essential oil to your hands and let your pets smell them so that they can explore the scent on their terms.
  • If your pets are jittery or resistant to essential oils, don’t try to force your pets to stay around you and the area you are diffusing essential oils. Our pet’s sense of smell is very heightened compared to ours as humans. Small amounts over time will help our animals ease into being around essential oils.
Dilution for Topical Application
Your animal’s size affects the amount of oil you should use and how much you should dilute for topical application.

  • For cats, small dogs, and other smaller animals, use a carrier oil — such as V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex — to dilute the essential oil before application. We suggest a 9:1 ratio of carrier oil to essential oil.
  • For medium-sized dogs dilute 4:1 carrier oil to essential oil.
  • If you’re using essential oils on medium-sized animals — like large dogs — dilute 3:1 carrier oil to essential oil.
Topical Use
Once your pets are used to essential oils, they’ll better handle topical application. Remember these tips as you experiment with using essential oils on your pets.

  • We recommend applying to the back for dogs and cats, being sure to rub your hands together until they are no longer shiny before rubbing the essential oil on the pet.
  • Use caution when using and applying essential oils to the bottoms of animal paw pads. Many animals sweat and rid their bodies of toxins through their paw pads. Contact your veterinarian for proper application practices.
  • For easier application in large or hard-to-reach areas, combine essential oils with V-6 or water in a spray bottle.
  • Use Animal Scents® Ointment to soothe irritated skin or to help with the occasional scrape or burn.
Skin & Hair Care
Young Living also offers a line of animal-specific products, including Animal Scents® Shampoo.

  • Cleans, conditions, and deodorizes your pet’s skin and coat
  • Plant-based formula infused with premium essential oils, creating a soothing aroma that helps calm your pet during bath time
  • Formulated without phosphates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic perfumes or dyes, artificial colors, flavors/fragrances, preservatives, or toxic ingredients
  • Great for all breeds and coats, including long and short hair ones
Show your furry friends some love with these products!

This post is also available in: Chinese (Traditional)