Geranium essential oil has a wide host of benefits for your pup. Some of the uses of this oil for dogs include calming anxiety, reducing stress, repelling insects, and more.
Aromatherapy can benefit humans physically, mentally and emotionally, and they can also benefit dogs in similar ways.
Here at MuttScrub, we have been doing a series of posts on the benefits of different essential oils for dogs and their skin. Today I want to talk about Geranium Oil and how it can benefit your pup.
More and more people are using essential oils for their benefits. They have been proven to have antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and many other helpful properties without the nasty side effects that many pharmaceuticals can have.
Using Essential Oils for Dogs
Even though essential oils contain beneficial properties for both people and dogs, be careful when using them for your pup. Some essential oils can benefit humans and be harmful to dogs.
The largest concern with essential oils is that they may contain contaminants that can be toxic. For this reason, only use high-grade oils from reputable certified aromatherapists, and verify the quality of oils before using them.
What is Geranium Oil?
Geranium essential oil comes from the geranium flower. It has a long history of being used to promote beauty. Ancient Egyptians used to use Geranium oil to gain clear skin and healthy hair. It also helps to calm nerves, reduce stress, and repel insects.
What Are Geranium Oil Benefits?
Geranium essential oil has wonderful benefits for animals, including:
- A calming effect on dogs suffering from anxiety.
- Helps to heal canine skin problems
- Treats fungal ear infections
- Reduces stress
- Treats yeast overgrowth
- Repels fleas and ticks.
Is Geranium Oil Safe For Dogs?
Geranium oil is safe for dogs when properly diluted and used in moderation. Everything in moderation, as they say!
If you’re using Geranium oil in your home, your dogs should be safe.
Use Geranium oil in a diffuser or spray your dog’s coat with a geranium oil solution, so your pet can inhale in its soothing aroma.
Geranium Oil Uses
Despite its powerful calming and healing properties, geranium oil is gentle and safe for dogs to use. As with all essential oils, it’s necessary to dilute the oils so that you are using them at the appropriate strength for your dog’s size – more on that below!
How To Safely Use Geranium Essential Oil On Dogs
Here are some safe and effective ways to use essential oils with dogs. Remember, the number one rule is to trust your instincts. When in doubt, don’t use it. You can also speak to your vet if you feel nervous.
Using Geranium Oil Topically
Geranium oil is very beneficial for dogs to treat skin conditions, repel fleas and ticks, and even soothe anxiety and reduce mental stress.
Always use only a therapeutic grade geranium oil and dilute it well before using it topically. Once diluted, simply put a few drops of the dilution on your hand, rub your hands together and then rub it on the area that needs soothing.
You can also rub the dilution through your pup’s fur to utilize its flea and tick repelling properties.
Another excellent way to get those geranium oil benefits with very little extra work on your part is to use high-quality products that contain properly diluted essential oil, such as our MuttScrub products.
Diluting Geranium Oil For Safety
For dogs, diluting geranium oil is important because the strength of essential oils is based on the human body, which would equal a 100-pound dog.
Remember, dogs’ skin is much more sensitive than human skin. They can rash and have irritated skin much quicker than we can. Therefore, you should use essential oils with caution to avoid irritation.
Always avoid using essential oils, especially undiluted, on your own skin where your dog may lick you or where you might rub against your dog’s fur.
Diluting your chosen essential oil with a carrier oil like cold-pressed olive oil, fractionated coconut oil, or sweet almond oil is crucial for using essential oils safely for your fur baby.
For a small dog, try 1 drop of geranium oil for every 50 drops of carrier oil. Larger dogs can have 2-3 drops for every 50 drops of the carrier.
Always remember that when it comes to essential oils “less is more”. Use less of it if you’re in doubt.
Use this oil dilution along with our calming MuttScrub products for a routine that soothes your dog’s skin, reduces stress, and naturally repels fleas and ticks – no diluting or mixing required since we’ve developed the perfect blend for you!
Diffusing Geranium Oil
And dogs have smell likes and dislikes just as humans do.
Dogs’ sense of smell is much stronger than a human sense of smell. With this in mind, add only 1, maybe 2, drops of geranium to your diffuser at first. This allows you to introduce your pup to the smell and watch to see if she reacts negatively.
Let Your Dog’s Powerful Sense of Smell Guide her Healing.
I always marvel at dogs’ natural wisdom. Especially when introducing your dog to essential oils, always give your dog the freedom to inhale or avoid essential oils. This can be as simple as allowing your dog to leave the room or area if she doesn’t like the smell.
Also, don’t feel like you’re losing effectiveness by sticking to inhalation. A dog has about 300 million olfactory receptors as compared to humans who have 5 million or so.
Essential oils are powerful and work effectively via the inhalation route of absorption for animals. Often inhalation is all they need to heal.
Using Geranium Oil Orally
Do not give dogs geranium essential oil orally. As oil is so concentrated, it can contain toxic elements if consumed.
Using Geranium Oil For Dogs: MuttScrub Products Provide The Perfect Calming Blend
Each product that MuttScrub offers uses geranium oil to help provide calming and stress-reducing benefits. The blend of oils in each product provides the best nourishing and aromatherapy support for your dog.
Treat your dog’s skin with pure ingredients that support overall well-being and aid the healing process. MuttScrub products are made of all-natural substances to give your dog instant relief from ailments and anxiety.
All three of our products work best when used together in the Pawsitively Soothing Itch Relief Kit For Dogs. We have several great reviews of the product over on our Facebook page…check them out!
Tell us in the comments: have you ever tried diffusing geranium oil for your dog?
If you enjoyed the information in this blog let us know over in our MuttScrub Community and share the image below over on Pinterest for us!
More From MuttScrub:
How Citronella Oil Prevents Mosquito Bites On Dogs
Almond Oil Benefits: How to Naturally Soothe Dog Skin Irritations
Coconut Oil For Dogs: The Amazing Benefits
Hi, how often would you apply for the flea/tick repellent? We live in the country where ticks are a problem. Thanks!
Hi Amanda, if you’re using more natural treatments like Geranium Essential Oil, I would apply every 2-3 days.
I would like to make a spray and apply it to my bedding. My dog sleeps with me and is unknowingly depositing ticks in my bed. How safe is it for me to spray the bedding with rose geranium essential oil?
As long as its diluted to a pet safe concentration it would be fine. Just in case, if you have cats, they do have a lower tolerance.