Pamper Your Pooch with Essential Oils

Any dog has time in its life when it doesn’t smell as fresh and clean as if it was just washed in a fresh, spring-fed lake. This is where essential oils can come to the rescue. Not only do they mask unpleasant odors but they offer some aromatherapy to the dog and household.

You can create a variety of different aromatic shampoos for your dog. All-natural aromatherapy grooming begins with the addition of essential oils to an all natural soap or shampoo base.

The following recipes all call for the essential oils to be added to 8 oz of an all natural shampoo base.

Spicy Deodorizing Shampoo
5 drops Cinnamon Leaf
5 drops Caraway
3 drops Black Pepper
3 drops Bay Lead

Woodsy Conditioning Shampoo
6 drops Atlas Cedarwood
4 drops Rosemary
2 drops Patchouli
3 drops Vetiver

Refreshing Citrus Shampoo
3 drops Sweet Orange
3 drops Lemon
3 drops Lime
3 drops Grapefruit
3 drops Mandarin

Delicate Floral Shampoo
4 drops Lavender
2 drops Ylang Ylang
4 drops Rose
6 drops Petitgrain

Fresh Herbal Shampoo
4 drops Sweet Basil
4 drops Lavender
4 drops Clary Sage
4 drops Coriander Seed

Make sure to watch the dog carefully to see how they react to the scent. If they seem uncomfortable, change the blend, or lessen the amount.

Read more: Pets, Remedies & Treatments

Adapted from Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to Use of Essential Oil and Hydrosols with Animals by Kristen Leigh Bell (Findhorn Press, 2004).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Robert O.

2:18PM PDT on Jun 2, 2011

Thanks Jana.

send a green star

KS G.

4:47AM PST on Jan 27, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Alicia N.

4:16PM PDT on Jun 9, 2010

Great tips !!!!!

Philippa P.

4:37PM PDT on Jun 2, 2010

Thanks.

RebeccaGRIEVING S.

1:59PM PST on Dec 22, 2009

I just used the natural organic shampoo mix for dogs I found on another page. I added some Vanilla oil to it...it was awesome. I have the best smelling dog in the world. She smells like fresh baked cookies LOL. I would love to try the ceder or rose next.

Ann H.

7:03AM PDT on Aug 11, 2008

Appreciate the Pet Tips!

Philipp S.

11:31AM PDT on Jun 24, 2008

good doggie