Is Lemon Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?
Many humans use lemon essential oils topically to increase the health of their skin and freshen their homes, going so far as to use the oil in meals to add a bright flavor. But what about dogs? Can they safely ingest the oil or should we avoid its potential effects? First off, the lemon essential oil is generally considered safe for dogs, but they shouldn’t consume it orally. That being said, there’s some disagreement on this point because there are some benefits that can come from using lemon essential oils on your dog’s skin or coat. As for using lemon essential oils on your dog’s skin and coat, the general advice is to dilute the oil with a carrier oil before applying it to your dog’s coat.
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You should also be sure to only use a small amount of oil because too much can cause the skin to become irritated. Furthermore, you must be sure that your dog isn’t allergic or sensitive to lemon essential oils because they can have negative effects. Generally speaking, dogs shouldn’t consume any kind of citrus fruit or herb, as it may cause digestive upset and gas in them.
Is Lemon Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?
Yes, but you should be careful how much you add and when you apply it. The lemon essential oil contains citronellal, geraniol, and limonene, all of which can be toxic in large quantities. These compounds are known to cause liver damage, gastrointestinal irritation, and even central nervous system depression. Lemon essential oil is not safe for dogs to consume in any quantity. It should never be taken internally or used undiluted on their skin or fur. The lemon essential oil contains citronellal, geraniol, and limonene (all of which are toxic in large quantities) that have been known to cause liver damage, gastrointestinal irritation, and central nervous system depression when consumed by dogs.
Lemon Essential Oil is no exception. Many of them contain limonene, which can cause vomiting if ingested by dogs. Lemon essential oil is safe for pets when used externally but never internally. At times it has been suggested that dogs should have the skin on their chest and paws treated with lemon essential oil to repel ticks and fleas; however, because of the high concentration of citronellal in lemon essential oil, this isn’t a good idea as it could be toxic to your dog if applied excessively or handled too frequently.
Benefits Of Using Lemon Essential Oil For Dogs
1) It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, making it useful for treating such skin conditions as bacterial dermatitis and ringworm.
2) It also helps to reduce itching and improve skin health when used on dogs.
3) When applied to the chest and paws of dogs it relieves hot spots from insect bites, fleas, and ticks.
4) It has been claimed that lemon essential oil can be used as a bed bug repellent for dogs; however according to the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign (UIC), research suggests that lemon essential oil may increase their attraction. The UIC recommends using lavender oils instead for their insect repellents.
5) It can be used on dogs’ paws to help cure paw infections and heal skin problems.
6) Its powerful antibacterial properties make it ideal for helping dogs suffering from ear infections. It also helps to boost their immune system and fight off heartburn, throat infections, and bloating.
7) When added to your dog’s food it can help to stimulate appetite and aid in digestion.
8) It helps dogs with digestive problems by relieving constipation; however, it is not recommended for dogs with diarrhea or vomiting as it can contribute to the problem.
9) It has been said that lemon essential oil can be used to help relieve intestinal issues, including colic in dogs. However, in this context, the UIC suggests the use of lavender essential oil instead.
10) It is also used for treating skin conditions such as itchy paws, balling hair infections, and dermatitis in dogs.
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Limonene is an oily liquid that can cause vomiting if ingested by your dog. Because of this, it should never be used undiluted on their skin or fur.
DIY Lemon Essential Oil Mix For Your Dog
Recipe 1:
Ingredients:
- Mix 4 parts water (1:2 ratio)
- 1 part lemon essential oil
- 10 parts avocado oil
Procedure:
- Prepare the mixture by mixing the ingredients. You can use a cheesecloth to do this if you’re not comfortable with using an old t-shirt or towel.
- Put it in a spray bottle and spritz the mixture on your dog’s coat or skin. It can be best to apply it in a very light mist so that the oil doesn’t rub off on your dog but should evaporate fairly quickly.
- As always, be sure to wash your hands once you’re done using lemon essential oil with your pet.
Recipe 2:
Ingredients:
- Mix 4 parts water (1:2 ratio)
- 1 part lemon essential oil
- 6 parts coconut oil
Procedure:
- Prepare the mixture by mixing the ingredients. You can use a cheesecloth to do this if you’re not comfortable with using an old t-shirt or towel.
- Put it in a spray bottle and spritz the mixture on your dog’s coat or skin. It can be best to apply it in a very light mist so that the oil doesn’t rub off on your dog but should evaporate fairly quickly.
- As always, be sure to wash your hands once you’re done using lemon essential oil with your pet.
Recipe 3:
Ingredients:
- Mix 5 parts water (1:2 ratio)
- 1 part lemon essential oil
Procedure:
- Prepare the mixture by mixing the ingredients. You can use a cheesecloth to do this if you’re not comfortable with using an old t-shirt or towel.
- Put it in a spray bottle and spritz the mixture on your dog’s coat or skin. It can be best to apply it in a very light mist so that the oil doesn’t rub off on your dog but should evaporate fairly quickly.
- As always, be sure to wash your hands once you’re done using lemon essential oil with your pet.
FAQs
1. How do I use a lemon essential oil on my dog?
It has a strong lemony scent. The citronella and geraniol content makes it smell like lemons. You can simply rub a few drops on their skin or fur, or add it to their food.
2. Are there any side effects of lemon essential oil on dogs?
As always, the scent of lemon essential oil on your dog is up to your discretion. Some people like it when their dogs smell like citrus, while others don’t. If you’re not sure whether or not your dog likes the lemon essential oil on his coat, try a small test patch first to see what he seems to respond to. If he seems okay with it then you know that why?
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