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How Do You Use Lavender Oil on Dogs for Fleas?

Brown dog sitting on paver bricks, scratching.

Add a few drops of lavender oil to a spray bottle of water. Shake the mixture and apply it to your pet’s coat for a quick and easy natural flea spray. This will keep your pets cool and refreshed while reducing fleas and will leave behind a lovely smell. Keep reading to know more about how you can use lavender oil on dogs for fleas.

Does Lavender Oil Kill Fleas on Dogs?

The majority of dogs and cats are unaffected by prescription flea treatments. However, because they are a pesticide, some individuals are looking for natural flea repellants, such as lavender oil. Lavender oil for dog fleas is said to successfully repel but not kill the insects.

Fleas are not killed by lavender oil as it only repels them. Hence, it’s only used as a prophylactic measure. Essential oils including cedar, lemongrass, eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint are known to fight fleas. Some people argue that the hazards associated with consuming these oils exceed the benefits. However, there is no scientific evidence to back these claims. Despite that, it’s recommended to consult a veterinarian before using essential oils on or around your pets.

If you already have a flea infestation in your house, essential oils are unlikely to eradicate the infestation. In addition, you need to remember that lavender oil is not effective against ticks. Hence, tick-borne infections, such as Lyme disease, can be transmitted to your pet if you don’t use tick medicine.

Did you know there are a few different essential oils you can use on fleas? Check out our posts “How to repel fleas with essential oils” to learn more.

Is It Safe to Put Lavender Oil on Dogs?

Lavender colored liquid in a clear glass bottle with a cord in the top. A white bowl beside it full of dried lavender

Aromatherapists have traditionally utilized lavender essential oil to relieve tension. It’s known as the “Queen of Calm” since it calms you down, helps you sleep, and improves your mood. You already know lavender relieves tension, but it may also help de-stress and soothe your nervous dog.

Lavender oil is one of the most soothing essential oils for pets, and it might soon become your dog’s new best friend. It can calm down an agitated dog, help them sleep better, and cheer up a sad pet. With additional advantages, including healing skin allergies, relieving discomfort, and repelling ticks and fleas, it’s easy to see how lavender may rapidly become a must-have in your pet’s first aid box.

Lavender oil is completely safe and gentle enough to use in the treatment of pets. You just need to be a little more careful. Essential oils are highly potent and can pose some health problems if your dog consumes too much of them. For example, it takes around 3 pounds of lavender flowers to make just 15ml of lavender essential oil. The following are some reasons why lavender oil can be irritating for your pooch.

What are some other essential oils you can use for fleas on dogs? Check out our post “9 Essential Oils for Fleas on Dogs” to learn more.

Strong Sense of Smell

Woman holding a small, round tin up to her nose and smelling deeply

Dogs, for example, have a far better sense of smell than humans. Dogs are said to smell 1000 to 10,000 times better than humans. After all, it’s their primary sense and it’s no surprise that they keep their noses to the ground. What you consider a gentle perfume might be an intense assault on their senses. When using lavender with dogs, it is critical to dilute the essential oil.

Size and Health of Dog

portrait of a red and white chihuahua with its head turned to the side

Dogs are also much smaller and lighter than their human counterparts. While they can safely inhale lavender oil and absorb it through their skin, their bodies aren’t equipped to handle human-sized dosages. This is where it gets tough because your dog’s breed, size, age, and health will determine the suitable dose. It’s highly recommended to talk to a holistic veterinarian for a better estimate.

How Do You Dilute Lavender Oil for Dogs?

Small bottle of dried lavender with a cork, a small bottle of clear yellow liquid with a screw top, a tall clear bottle of liquid with a screw cap, a brown glass bottle with an eyedropper, and a bunch of lavender on a wooden table

It’s important to dilute lavender oil appropriately before applying it to your dog’s fur or skin. Here’s how you can do it.

Start with a single drop of lavender essential oil in 50 drops of carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut or jojoba oil. Another basic suggestion is to mix around 3-6 drops of essential oil with 1 fluid oz. (6 teaspoons) of carrier oil. You can then adjust the quantity of oil according to your dog’s breed, size, age, and health. If you’re unclear about your pet’s dilution levels, visiting your veterinarian is better than risking it.

A moderate massage with diluted lavender oil can help relieve joint discomfort and soothe itchy, irritated skin. To efficiently repel ticks, fleas, and other pests, apply a drop to the back of the neck and the base of the tail. Otherwise, softly massage the diluted oil onto your dog’s neck and back with your hands.

Holistic veterinarians frequently use antibiotic lavender infusions to clean wounds, cure burns, and relieve itching and scratching. You can also make a lavender tea rinse by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried lavender flowers in 8 fluid oz. of hot water. Leave the flowers there for a few minutes and then apply the rinse to your dog.

Spray Mists

Hand spraying mist from a small purple bottle in front of a plum colored background.

Making your own mist spray is a considerably more handy choice than putting lavender essential oil directly into your dog’s collar or bedding.

Begin by mixing one or two drops of lavender essential oil with four fluid ounces of distilled water in a glass spray container. Then, gradually increase the dosage over time. A mist spray can be used as a bedding spray, a tick and flea repellent sprayed to the dog’s neck and back, a treatment for tiny wounds or skin irritations, or a room deodorizer.

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