Hey there, fellow dog moms! Today, let's dive into the wonderful world of DIY dog care with essential oils. Explore three essential DIY recipes for everyday dog care, crafted to enhance your dog's well-being: a calming spray, a skin-soothing balm, and a homemade dog shampoo—all toxin-free. Not only are these homemade pet remedies easy to make, but they also offer the added benefits of natural ingredients and the soothing power of essential oils.
Why Make Your Own Dog Care Products?
Many commercial dog care products contain harmful ingredients that can jeopardize both our health and our pets' well-being. These products often harbor artificial fragrances, preservatives, and harsh chemicals, posing risks to you and your dog's health. While the quantities of these ingredients may seem insignificant, their cumulative effects over time can lead to skin irritations, allergies, and more serious health issues.
Despite their widespread availability, it's essential to recognize that not all ingredients in commercial products are safe. In today's world, numerous chemicals permitted in these products have been studied for their adverse effects on the body, yet they continue to populate store shelves.
By making your own DIY pet health solutions, you have full control over the ingredients you use, ensuring that they are safe, natural, and free from harmful chemicals. Not only is this better for your dog's health, but it's also better for the environment. By choosing to opt out of purchasing products with artificial fragrances and preservatives, you're sending a powerful message to companies that you demand better products for you, your dog, and the planet.
After an initial investment in essential oils and basic supplies, you'll have everything you need to make these recipes, and usually at a fraction of the cost of store-bought alternatives.
Pet Wellness With Essential Oils
Essential oils are natural extracts from plants that contain the essence, aroma, and beneficial properties of the plant. We include them in these recipes for their wellness benefits, such as calming, soothing, and promoting skin health.
It's important to note that not all essential oils are created equal. Quality and dilution are the two most important safety factors when using essential oils on pets. That's why I recommend using high-quality, pure essential oils and ensuring proper dilution to avoid any adverse reactions. To dive into the basics of using essential oils with your dog, click HERE.
Safety First
When using essential oils for dogs, remember that dilution is key. By making these recipes, you're diluting the essential oils to safe levels for use on dogs. Quality and dilution go hand in hand when it comes to the safety and effectiveness of pet wellness with essential oils.
Explore Our Essential Oils
If you're in search of pure and premium essential oils for your homemade dog products, I recommend exploring the company I use by clicking HERE. This reputable company takes pride in owning many of its farms, where I've personally visited and contributed to planting and harvesting. Each of their essential oils and products undergoes stringent testing to guarantee purity and potency. Additionally, they offer an exclusive essential oil product line tailored specifically for pets. So, if DIY isn't your cup of tea, rest assured you can still procure high-quality, safe essential oils and products for your beloved pets!
Does your dog get anxious during thunderstorms or car rides? Or perhaps they simply need a little help unwinding after a long day?
Introducing the calming spray for dogs—a simple yet effective solution to help soothe your dog's nerves. Made with natural ingredients and essential oils known for their calming properties, this spray can be used in various situations to promote relaxation and reduce tension.
Simply spray it onto your dog's bedding, favorite spot, or even onto your hands and gently massage it into their fur. Plus, the calming spray doubles as an air freshener, leaving your home smelling delightful.
And here's a little secret—it also works wonders on people! 😉 Remember, if you are calm and relaxed, it helps your dog be calm and relaxed too. Did you know that your emotions are often mirrored in your dog?
Feel free to experiment with different essential oil blends for dogs to find what works best for your pup. For more tips on using essential oils to calm your dog and additional recipes, check out my dedicated blog by clicking HERE.
Calming Spray For Dogs Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup distilled water
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
Why These Ingredients?
- Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender, often hailed as 'The Swiss Army knife' of essential oils, is prized for its calming properties and safety for animals. Extensively studied for its ability to soothe and relax tension, lavender oil is also renowned for its skin wellness properties, making it the perfect choice for this spray. Discover even more ways lavender can benefit you and your doggie household by visiting my blog dedicated to using lavender by clicking HERE.
- Roman Chamomile Essential Oil: Roman chamomile, known for its calming effects and commonly found in bedtime teas, is a perfect addition to this spray. Its gentle nature and mild scent make it well-suited for dogs, helping to ease tension and promote relaxation. Want to learn more about how Roman chamomile can benefit your dog? Explore all things Roman chamomile and dogs on my blog, HERE.
- Witch Hazel: Witch hazel serves as a natural astringent with soothing properties and acts as an emulsifier, ensuring the essential oils blend evenly throughout the spray. While vodka can serve as an alternative, witch hazel is preferred for skin applications due to its gentleness and skin benefits. It's important to note that essential oils and water don't mix, so be sure to shake the bottle well before each use. Opt for distilled or purified water to remove impurities, although tap water can be used with the understanding that the spray may have a shorter shelf life.
Directions:
- In a spray bottle, combine the distilled water and witch hazel.
- Add the lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils.
- Shake well before each use.
- Spray lightly onto your dog's bedding, crate, in the car, or spray onto your hands and rub a small amount along the spine before stressful situations like thunderstorms or vet visits.
Does your dog have dry, irritated skin? This 'Skin Soothing Balm Recipe' offers a natural way to support your dogs skin or minor irritations. Crafted with gentle and nourishing ingredients, this balm is designed to moisturize and calm your dog's skin, leaving it feeling soft and rejuvenated. Plus, the essential oils can have a relaxing effect, making it a win-win for your dog.
Skin Soothing Balm For Dogs Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops helichrysum essential oil
Why These Ingredients?
- Coconut Oil: Provides moisturizing and antibacterial properties, ideal for soothing dry or irritated skin. Its natural emollient properties help to lock in moisture, while its antimicrobial properties can help protect against infections. Additionally, coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has been shown to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, further supporting skin health.
- Shea Butter: Contains vitamins and fatty acids that nourish and hydrate the skin, promoting healing. Rich in vitamins A and E, shea butter helps to repair and protect the skin's natural barrier, while its fatty acids, including oleic, stearic, and linoleic acids, provide deep hydration and support skin regeneration. Shea butter's emollient properties make it effective in soothing dry, itchy skin and reducing inflammation. Together, coconut oil and shea butter form a powerful duo to nourish and hydrate your dog's skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and healthy.
- Helichrysum Essential Oil: Known for its skin-regenerative properties, helichrysum may aid in soothing and supporting damaged skin. Helichrysum, also known as immortelle, everlasting, or strawflower, has a sweet and earthy aroma that can also be very relaxing. Helichrysum has been studied for its potential as an antioxidant, making it a versatile addition to support skin concerns.
- Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender essential oil isn't just famous for its soothing and calming properties; it's also been studied for its potential benefits for the skin. As one of my go-to remedies for supporting the skin and coat, lavender holds a special place in my holistic toolkit. Interestingly, the resurgence of essential oils in the modern era can be traced back to René-Maurice Gattefossé, a French chemist. After burning his hands, he submerged them in lavender oil he was studying in his lab. To his amazement, the lavender oil facilitated remarkable healing, sparking a renewed interest in the wellness potential of essential oils. You can read more about the additional benefits of lavender oil by clicking HERE.
Copaiba Essential Oil: Alternatively, copaiba essential oil can serve as a substitute for helichrysum. Copaiba offers similar skin benefits, making it an excellent option if helichrysum is unavailable. I've personally found copaiba to be incredibly versatile in caring for my horses and dogs, so much so that I've dedicated a blog post to its uses. Click HERE to read more about how copaiba can support your pets!
Directions:
- In a small saucepan, melt the coconut oil and shea butter over low heat.
- Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Stir in the lavender and helichrysum essential oils.
- Transfer the balm to a clean container and let it solidify at room temperature.
- Apply a small amount to areas of your dog's skin that need soothing, such as dry patches or minor irritations.
Looking for a gentle and effective way to keep your dog clean? Start your journey into natural dog grooming with this 'DIY Dog Shampoo Recipe'. It isn't just for your pup—it's good for your hands too! Made with non-drying ingredients, this shampoo helps support a healthy coat and skin while leaving your hands feeling soft and moisturized. Treat your dog to a healthy bath and enjoy the added bonus of nourished hands after every wash. Plus it leaves an aroma on the coat that outdoor annoyances don't like!
Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup liquid castile soap
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 5 drops cedarwood essential oil
Why These Ingredients?
- Liquid Castile Soap: Derived from the Castile region of Spain, Castile soap has been cherished for centuries as a gentle, natural cleanser. Originally crafted from olive oil, modern Castile soap now incorporates vegetable oils like olive, coconut, or hemp. This biodegradable soap delicately cleanses without stripping your dog's skin of its natural oils, offering a pure and eco-friendly bathing experience free from synthetic additives and harsh cleansers.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil, derived from the meat of mature coconuts, has gained popularity for its wide range of potential health benefits. Rich in medium-chain fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, coconut oil has been studied for antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, making it a useful edition for helping to moisturize and condition your dog's coat, leaving it soft and shiny.
- Tea Tree Essential Oil: Did you know that tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has a long history of use by indigenous Australian Aboriginal people. They crushed the leaves and applied the paste to wounds, cuts, and infections as a traditional remedy. This makes it a worthy addition for helping to keep your dog's skin healthy and clean. And yes, tea tree oil can be safe for dogs-click HERE to learn more!
- Cedarwood Essential Oil: Cedarwood essential oil offers a calming aroma and is known for its skin-supporting properties, making it a valuable addition to your dog's shampoo. Studies suggest that cedarwood oil may also possess properties that pests find unpleasant. For even more ways to use cedarwood essential oil with your dog, click HERE.
Directions:
- In a bowl, mix together the liquid castile soap and coconut oil until well combined.
- Add the tea tree and lavender essential oils, stirring to incorporate.
- Transfer the shampoo to a clean, empty bottle for storage.
- Wet your dog's coat thoroughly, then massage the shampoo into their fur, avoiding the eyes and ears.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water and towel dry your pup.
There you have it, three fabulous DIY dog care recipes that'll support your dog and help you start your journey into natural pet care. By making your own homemade dog products with natural ingredients and essential oils, you can take care of your dog while promoting their health and well-being. Remember, the power to provide the best care for your pets lies in your hands. As their advocate and gatekeeper, you play a crucial role in ensuring their well-being.
Ready to explore more ways to use essential oils with your dog? I invite you to join my 'Oily Dog Intro Course', where you'll learn how to use essential oils safely, easily, and without overwhelm. Gain practical applications and access to all of my favorite recipes, including essential oil blends for dogs and dog-safe essential oils. Click HERE to get started today and begin your journey into toxin-free dog care!
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