Peppermint oil is gaining popularity for a wide range of ailments in people. It is still used in some countries today against pests like fleas and mosquitos. Hydrosols are a much better choice. Perfume quality or oils that are labelled only for aromatherapy can cause more harm than good if they are used topically, because they are distilled using solvents or are mixed with chemical fragrances and/or other oils. Recently some owners and a few holistic veterinarians are proposing peppermint oil for dogs as an alternative, or supplement, to traditional flea and tick preventives. As I mentioned earlier, essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from plants. Definitely! Try Cedar Oil Spray. If you pour some wherever you have an ant problem and where they come in, if you know, they will quickly decide someone else’s kitchen is a much better place to find a snack. Please for an update? DVM360 Staff. While serious adverse effects of the use of peppermint oil on dogs are hardly existent, it’s best to always consult with your veterinarian first as every dog will have different needs and sensitivities. In other words, if they carry 50 different types of oils, yet every 5ml bottle is $7.40, there is something wrong, and you can guarantee these oils have been adulterated in some way. You can use a dilution of peppermint oil (3 drops in a half teaspoon of carrier oil) and apply it on the tips of your dog’s ears to ease cramps due to digestive issues. The range of products have different concentrations and even different instructions for how often to use them. What researchers have found so far, however, is that there are some serious adverse reactions associated with peppermint oil. Have you had any experiences with peppermint oil and your dog? It’s can be widely preferred over pharmaceutical, pain killers, and chemical laden treatments. Packaging should include the common name (i.e. When applied to broken skin it’s absorbed even faster. The body absorbs essential oils very rapidly – whether through skin application or ingestion. That is not to say that these natural remedies don’t work. It’s important to mention that every dog is different and may present certain symptoms such as: If your dog has any of these symptoms, it might be allergic or sensitive to peppermint oil and you should take your pet to the veterinarian immediately. Thankfully I haven’t been using my diffuser as much but I feel horrid as I spilled too much peppermint oil for my hair also on my pillows now and the scent is so strong, trying to stir out but afraid maybe making it circulate even more… If you’re considering using a peppermint flea spray on your dog, consult your veterinarian to see if the spray that you’ve selected is safe. How to find a puppy and raise a happy, healthy dog. Many pet owners claim that they make their own pest repellent using peppermint and other essential oils. Since Peppermint EO does kill all the things that keep recurring in my labs ears… would you consider it safe to use a saturated cotton ball with Coconut oil with 1-2 drops of peppermint? As I have previously explained, choosing the right essential oil is important because not all of them are created the same. I have been burning peppermint oil in a diffuser and found my dogs are lethargic,have turned it off will they be ok, Their noses are too sensitive for this. It’s important to keep in mind that dogs can be more sensitive to essential oils than humans, so proper and careful usage is a must. The quality of the oil must also be considered before purchasing because a low grade peppermint oil is more likely to cause harm than benefits. Their chemical compounds have many useful healing and therapeutic properties, but must be used with care despite being natural substances. They provide the following guidelines: Natural News also provides the following recommendations to take in considerations before using peppermint oil on your pets: Also remember to always wash your hands after handling essential oils to prevent them from accidentally getting in contact with your eyes or mouth. For example, it takes nearly one hundred pounds of lavender plants to produce one pound of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil. However, it does mean that before you use essential oils or other alternative medicines on your pet, you need to be careful and do your research. Peppermint oil is a highly beneficial essential oil not only for you but for your dog as well. The same can be said on whether peppermint oil works for dog allergies. Animals are generally more sensitive to essential oils than humans are. Using peppermint oil on pregnant dogs is not recommended. Will this hurt my pets if I spray in different room or when my German Shepherd is in the house? The manufacturer of essential oils Young Living tells us that the animal’s size affects the amount of oil you should use on them. But the peppermint oil is not the active killing ingredient. My Dog Has Never Been Vaccinated – Does It Matter>, Best German Shepherd Gifts For GSD Lovers And Owners, Best Shampoo for Chihuahua Dogs of every Type. There is evidence that peppermint oil is effective against mites, bacteria, fungi and yeast infections. You also have to keep in mind that proper dosage and administration of peppermint oil is of utmost importance. Be sure to dilute 80–90 percent prior to application (for example, for every 1 drop of oil, use 4–5 drops of a diluting agent, such as V-6, For larger animals, like large dogs, start with 3–5 drops. Thyme Oil Kills and Repels Fleas. Safer oils to use that repel fleas are eucalyptus, peppermint, cedarwood, and citronella. Peppermint oil is not as safe for dogs as it is for humans. This idea has some merit because peppermint … It suffocates bugs, repels them, and eliminates their eggs and larvae. Cedar oil, the main ingredient in this product, is an essential oil that nautrally kills and repels fleas and ticks. Wooten, S.J. It can prevent and repel fleas, mosquitos and ticks, it can also help soothe a variety of aches and pains, and even help your dog cool down. Don't miss out on the perfect companion to life with a purrfect friend. Even a drop of essential oil diluted in a homemade spray could be too much if used on irritated skin. Gerhold, R. 2019. The bathroom can be tricky tho if ur pup follows u like mine! I cover my pup’s bowls as well as set aside in another room and then spray that room right before a decent walk, going it helps everything settle (stronger odor for him plus giving time for whatever is in the air to fall – hopefully long enough). Required fields are marked *. As such, you must closely watch their reactions. My homemade essential oil spray recipe is simple, it’s just 3 ingredients. You can determine this by reading the label closely. Do not use essential oils on and around cats or dogs under 8 weeks old because they are developing at fast rates; it is easy to mess up the proper dilution for each breed. NATA says you can also try mixing equal parts clove, lemon and peppermint oil diluted with one cup of water for a spray tick … And some essential oils that are perfectly safe and beneficial for us, are toxic for our pets – just like certain foods. The idea that natural medicines are inherently better and safer is simply not accurate. However, even in humans it has been linked to health problems such as muscle pain and skin and mucous membrane irritation. In fact, ticks must be attached for 36 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease, the CDC says. Huge difference. I want to use peppermint oil in a diffuser to deter mice behind a curtain off kitchen. This essential oil is also popularly used in combination with other essential oils to create repellent shampoos and sprays that you can use on your dog and on your dog’s bedding. By the way, you can make your own all-natural tick spray for dogs too. This trend is filtering through to pet products – with added essential oils or scents pleasing to the humans that buy the goods. Diffusers intensify some scents. What about using peppermint oil on cotton balls throughout your house like in drawers-closets, behind furniture and so on. That way, you’ll know you are doing something that’s good for your dog instead of accidentally harming them. Studies have found that peppermint oil for fleas does not work as effectively as some other essential oils traditionally used for this purpose. If you use essential oils, then of course you’ve wondered about whether or not essential oils could help your dog. Peppermint oil, as any other essential oil, should be kept away from heat and the sun. This can also be used on the outer area of the ear to help ear inflammation due to infection, or to soothe any other areas of pain, making sure you keep away from the face and genital regions. Thanks! There’s a huge trend towards using natural remedies and aromatic oils. Overdosing can lead to serious side effects. Some studies have found that peppermint oil, especially in combination with other essential oils, is effective in repelling pests like fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. Peppermint oil is not only effective at repelling fleas but it can also repel ticks and mosquitoes too. My dog has a flea problem I without thinking about my dogs safety put peppermint oil on his fur and rubbed it all over his body from neck down then I started thinking is it safe for him so I looked this site up now I’m stressing out thinking about what’s going to happen to my dog I don’t want him to be in danger from what I just put on him after I read everything I poured water on him and rubbed him in water as much as I could hopefully he will be ok and nothing serious happens.?? Do not use any oils on medium-large breed puppies under 8 weeks, and small or toy breeds under 10 weeks. Research has established that menthol does kill mites and some bacteria,fungi and yeasts. Peppermint Essential Oil. They will also always have the scientific name on the bottle. If you want to use a product that contains peppermint, or any other essential oil, talk to your veterinarian. Never use oils near the eyes, mouth, nose, or genital area. Peppermint oil is a great alternative to a number of chemical based treatments that can turn out to be more toxic and harmful in the long run, such as analgesics and pest repellents. VCA Hospitals. Repels Fleas. Here are some ways you can use peppermint oil on your dogs: If you want a good recipe on how to make your own flea repellent spray, you can check out this recipe that contain a combination of other beneficial oils as well as peppermint oil. It’s best if you consult your veterinarian to best address any problem your pregnant dog may have and find another natural treatment for it. The smell of lemongrass oil is unpleasant for fleas. Peppermint oil can be used both internally and externally. When used externally, it also must be diluted properly and it can be applied in areas where there is pain since it’s an effective analgesic. This lack of conclusive evidence is not stopping companies from manufacturing peppermint oil flea repellents. Until then, play it safe and treat your dog with another form of flea preventive. Tick Spray for Dogs. Severe infestations can cause anemia in young dogs. When it comes to personal use or for your dogs, you need to seek the highest quality therapeutic grade essential oils. On the other hand, a study performed in 2012 examined the Animal Poison Control Center database of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). My son in law does this every year. Usually when used in a product that contains other ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate or citrus extracts like linalool and d-limonene. Always dilute the oils. Without regulation of the products, and large studies measuring their efficacy and safety, we have no way of knowing if peppermint oil flea products work. If so, please share it with us in the comments section below. And technically, essential oils are chemical compounds, too. The main ingredient of peppermint oil is menthol. Always consult with your veterinarian first. I heard an exterminator tell them that if you have mulch down against the house, the ants get smothered out and go into the house. We must be really careful with what kind of ointments we put on their skin and fur. Isabella's Clearly Dogs Natural & Safe Topical Formula Proven to Repel Ticks and Fleas. What about the mint in your garden? The Debate in Using Peppermint Oil on Dogs. Human usage of essential oils is growing in popularity, so it’s not a surprise that these humans have been trying to use them on their canine companions as well, as natural alternatives to many problems. Most natural veterinary parasite products don’t work: It’s science. That means that there are no standards for ‘natural’ remedies, which is a little alarming. So it might help. I live in a seniors apartment, there is an issue with bed bugs in the bldg, so I put drops of peppermint around bed and closets, I have a doxi and since Reading this I am scared that I might have endangered him. Your veterinarian has access to veterinary journals and resources that can help him or her determine if there have been cases of toxicity associated with the product. 2018 Are essential oils safe for dogs? Giving essential oils internally is not generally recommended. This means that you have no way of knowing what exactly the ingredients are, or the potential side effects. I have not seen one ant this year and I’m at their house frequently. You can make a repellent spray by adding 10 drops in a spray bottle filled with water, or by using a bandana as a makeshift collar and apply a couple of peppermint oil drops on that as well. There are some general tips and suggestions you’ll want to keep in mind as you share essential oils with your furry friends. Cornell Cooperative Extension. Spray onto clothing, pets and around the lawn to keep ticks and fleas at bay. Many of the essential oils most frequently advertised in flea and tick products—eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, lemongrass, tea tree oil, etc.—are already known to … We were told to use peppermint oil in water. We just want what’s best for our furry darlings and there’s a lot to choose from on the market. Always be sure to check with your vet and to read the instructions on how to properly use peppermint essential oil. And is peppermint oil safe for dogs? You need to make sure you have purchased a pure, high quality oil. So we’ve covered the potential risks of peppermint oil for dogs. Spray around the house, and this would get rid of them. These supplements are often put on the market with minimal, if any, control or testing. This will get rid of the ants. Wag Walking. That pleasant essential oil you use to relax might be overpowering for your furry friend. 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