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Dilutions - Dogs and large farm animals

Almost all essential oils are far too potent to apply topically to a dog. A dog can sniff a safe and pure essential oil though, if you do not contain your dog with the concentrated smell in a closed environment for a long period. Common sense suggests that sniffing and inhalation/diffusion therapy should be done in a well-ventilated area.

Inhalation therapy

Use up to 4 drops of essential oil in a vaporizer, burner or diffuser for young, elderly, sickly or very small dogs and up to 6 drops for a more healthy, medium to large breed dog.

Make sure that the burner / vaporizer etc is out of reach of your dog and that you do not leave an open flame unsupervised.

Spritzers, salves and carrier oil mixtures

A dilution of anything from 0.5% to 2% of the mixture you are making is suggested. Use a 0.5 to 1% dilution for sick, old, very young or small dogs. Use a dilution of around 1% to 2% on healthy, medium to large breed dogs.

How to use percentages in Dilution Rates

(15 drops of essential oil is equal to around about 1 ml)

How to make a dilution in 100 ml of your base material, carrier oil/s, salve or spray:

2% Dilution

1% Dilution

0.5% Dilution

2ml or 30 drops

1ml or 15 drops

½ ml or 7 drops

How to make a dilution in 50 ml of your base material, carrier oil/s, salve or spray:

2% Dilution

1% Dilution

0.5% Dilution

1ml or 15 drops

 ½ ml or 7 drops

¼ ml or 3 drops

Remember that the idea of “less is more” applies to Aromatherapy.

Rather start with a weaker dilution, observe tolerance and then increase the percentage. Drooling, whining, sneezing, lip wrinkling and the dog frenetically trying to rub or lick the mixture off, suggests that the mixture you have made is too strong and that the dog is irritated by the mixture. If this happens, wash the area where you have applied your mixture thoroughly with a natural approved unscented veterinary soap/shampoo and tepid water and rinse well. Consult your vet should irritation persist.

Other Links in this topic.

Aromatherapy for Animals

Toxic Essential Oils

Safe Essential Oils

Treatment Suggestions

Safety Considerations

Recipes