Aromatherapy for Dogs: Get Rid of the Smell

One more post on aromatherapy for dogs before I move to a new topic. When your dog becomes a bit smelly, you can use essential oil sprays to freshen him up a bit. Here's the base recipe:

1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
1/2 ounce grain alcohol or vodka
1 teaspoon sulfated castor oil
1 ounce aloe vera
10 drops grapefruit extract
6 ounces distilled water

Mix ingredients in a dark or opaque mister bottle. Then add desired essential oils. Shake before use. Avoid spraying the dog's eyes, nose, or genitals.

Suggested essential oil blends:

Minty: 6 drops spearmint and 6 drops peppermint.

Spicy: 4 drops cinnamon leaf, 3 drops caraway, 3 drops black pepper, and 5 drops bay leaf.

Floral: 4 drops lavender, 2 drops ylang ylang, 4 drops rose, 6 drops petitgrain.

Woodsy: 6 drops atlas cedarwood, 4 drops rosemary, 2 drops patchouli, 3 drops vetiver.

Source: Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils & Hydrosols with Animals, a book I highly recommend if you want to use essential oils with dogs or other animals.

Click here for safety guidelines for aromatherapy for dogs.