Lavender oil

What is lavender oil?

Lavender oil is an essential oil extracted by steam distillation or cold pressing from the flowers of the lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia). It has a characteristic floral and calming scent that is often used in aromatherapy. Lavender oil contains various chemical components that are responsible for its effect, such as linalool, linalyl acetate, camphor and terpineol.

How does lavender oil affect dogs?

Lavender oil can affect dogs in different ways, depending on how it is used. The most common forms of application are

• Inhalation: Inhaling the scent of lavender oil can have a calming, anxiolytic and relaxing effect on dogs. It can help to reduce stress, improve mood and promote sleep. One possible use is on New Year's Eve, for example, when many dogs suffer from the noise of fireworks.
• Applying to the skin: Applying diluted lavender oil to the skin can have an antiseptic, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect. It can help with minor injuries such as cuts or burns to relieve pain and speed up healing. It can also help with skin problems such as dermatitis or eczema to reduce irritation and nourish the skin.
• Applying to the coat or collar: Applying diluted lavender oil to the dog's coat or collar can have an insect repellent effect. It can help keep pesky parasites such as ticks or fleas away as they don't like the smell of lavender. It can also make the coat shiny and fragrant.

How do you make lavender oil yourself?

If you want to make lavender oil yourself, you only need two ingredients: dried lavender flowers and a carrier oil of your choice (for example sunflower oil or olive oil). The steps are:

• Harvest the lavender flowers and leave them to dry in the sun.
• Crush the dried flowers with a mortar or blender.
• Place the flowers in a glass jar and cover them with the carrier oil.
• Close the jar and place it in a warm and dark place for at least two weeks.
• Shake the jar every day.
• After two weeks, strain the oil through a sieve or coffee filter and store it in a dark bottle.

How do you use lavender oil on dogs?

Before using lavender oil on dogs, there are a few important points to bear in mind:

• Always dilute the oil: pure lavender oil is too strong for a dog's sensitive skin and nose and can cause irritation or poisoning. Always dilute the oil with a carrier oil in a ratio of 1:10 (one part lavender oil, ten parts carrier oil).
• Carry out a tolerance test: Not all dogs tolerate lavender oil equally well. Do a tolerance test by applying a small amount of the diluted oil to an inconspicuous area of the dog (for example behind the ear or on the inside of the paw) and observe whether it shows an allergic reaction (for example redness, itching or swelling). If so, wash the oil off immediately and stop using it.
• Let the dog decide: Don't force your dog to inhale or apply lavender oil if he doesn't like it. Always give him the option of avoiding the scent or licking the oil off. Pay attention to his body language and respect his preferences.
• Use the oil only occasionally: Prolonged exposure to lavender oil can impair the dog's sense of smell or lead to an overdose. Use the oil only occasionally and in small amounts. If you want to use it as an insect repellent, only apply it when you take your dog for a walk or if you know there are a lot of parasites in the area.