My 3 favourite oils to use when my dog is feeling stressed.

These are my 3 favourite oils to use when my dog is feeling stressed.

A few months ago a friend’s dog came to stay with me for a few nights. She was a sweet husky/shepherd X, very attached to her family, and hated being left alone.

When my friend dropped her off, she was so excited to see me (she loved visiting our little farm), but as soon as she realized that her Mom was about to leave without her the panic set in.

Pacing, whining, drooling, leaving a trail of sweaty paw prints across the house (as well as lots of fur), this poor girl was so stressed…but I anticipated this, and I had a diffuser ready.

I had chosen three essential oils, Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Bergamot, and I allowed my friend’s dog to select which oil, if any, she would like to use to help support her emotionally.

Lavender is great for reducing nervous tension, as well as digestive related symptoms caused by anxiety, such as excessive salvation, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Roman Chamomile has natural sedative properties, has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety.

Bergamot is often selected by dogs (and people) who are experiencing anxiety, depression or are prone to obsessive behaviours. It has a calming effect and can help promote rest.

Roman Chamomile to the rescue.

My friend’s dog had no interest in the Lavender or Bergamot, but as soon as I opened the Roman Chamomile she came over for a closer sniff. This was the oil for her.

I put 4 drops into my water based diffuser, which I placed in a quiet area of the house. I put up a baby gate so my excited kids wouldn’t disturb her, and left the door to the room open so she could leave the area if she wanted to.

As well as the diffuser I also made a 3% dilution blend of Roman Chamomile and fractionated coconut oil, and I applied a couple of drops in between her shoulder blades (there’s a link below if you’d like to learn more about allowing your dog to self-select, and how to dilute essential oils for topical use).

What happened next?

Within two minutes of me setting up the diffuser and applying a couple of diluted drops between her shoulder blades, my friend’s dog visibly relaxed. She walked to her food bowl, had a little bite to eat, then curled up on the floor six feet from the diffuser, and stayed there until it was time for a walk.

It was amazing to see the transformation. To go from such an extreme state of high alert one minute, to eating food and quietly settling a couple of minutes later.

A successful, low stress visit.

My friend’s dog selected Roman Chamomile a number of times during her stay with us, and what I noticed this visit, compared to previous ones, was that she was noticeable more relaxed.

Previously my friend’s dog would follow me around from room to room, crying anytime I stepped out of the house without her.

This time, with the aid of Roman Chamomile, I was able to go about my daily tasks around the house (often out of sight), without her getting up a looking for me. She was also happier out on her walks, spending more time exploring/sniffing, and less time alert/scanning for her Mom.

It truly was a remarkable transformation.

If you’d like to know more about using essential oils at home, allowing your dog to self-select, and how to safely use oils topically I’ve created a mini ebook for you to download Essential Oils: A Safety Guide For Dog Owners.