Is Sandalwood Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?

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Essential oils have never been more popular because people want to improve their lives without ingesting synthetic chemicals. 

One of the most popular is sandalwood essential oil. This expensive item comes from the wood of the East Indian and Australian sandalwood trees. Its proponents claim that this natural by-product has many benefits. 

But is sandalwood essential oil safe for dogs? 

These days increasing numbers of people are using natural and holistic methods to heal and enhance the lives of their pets. However, you must do your research first.

Let’s look at the properties of sandalwood oil and see if it is a good idea to use it for your dog. 

What is Sandalwood Essential Oil Used for?

Sandalwood essential oil is extremely popular in the world of alternative medicine.

Its users claim that it can treat anxiety, the common cold, muscle problems, and many other maladies. Meanwhile, it has an attractive scent that is often featured in perfumes and cosmetics. 

True sandalwood oil has a minimum alcohol-free level of 90%. It also should be derived from the santalum album tree. Most true manufacturers will have these details on the label because they add prestige to the product. 

If the packaging lacks these details you should consider it to be a red flag. Sandalwood isn’t cheap so that’s another sign of authenticity. 

There are many synthetic variations on the market so make sure you’ve picked up the real thing!

Is Sandalwood Oil Safe for Dogs? 

Many essential oils are unsafe for dogs because they contain toxic properties. 

However, sandalwood oil is accepted as safe for our canine friends. It’s sometimes used as a flea and tick repellant or to ease dog flu symptoms. Furthermore, it can reduce inflammation. 

Furthermore, its soothing properties also make it popular.

Many dogs experience stress and fear during thunderstorms or when they move to a new environment. Some people like to use essential oils as a natural way to calm their animals and help to ease their burden. 

How to Safely Use Essential Oil for Dogs

Even though sandalwood oil isn’t regarded as dangerous for dogs, you should still exercise caution. Some pets may experience allergic reactions or simply not like the smell of the oil. 

If this is the case you may end up exacerbating their anxiety or bad mood. It’s recommended to gradually expose your pet to the oil to gauge their reactions. 

Check out these methods to safely use sandalwood oil. 

Diffuser:

Diffusers are a popular method of using essential oils. These are great because you can enjoy the benefits of the oil too. But you should ensure that there is a way for your animal to move away from the diffuser.

Remember that dog noses are much stronger than humans’. Allow them to leave the room if the scent is causing them discomfort so that they can breathe fresh air. 

Droppers:

If you want to use sandalwood oil as a pest repellant you can simply use a dropper. 

Combine a couple of drops of sandalwood oil with bergamot and spray their bedding or blanket. This method may also work to relieve symptoms of dog flu.

It’s important to note that you shouldn’t directly spray your pet with the oil because it could mess up their body chemistry. Gently exposing them to the oil is far safer than pouring it onto them. 

Remember that less is always more when it comes to using these kinds of products. 

Swab:

Australian sandalwood is safe to use as an anti-septic if you combine it with water. 

Add a single drop of sandalwood oil to 20ml of water. It should be heavily diluted so your dog doesn’t experience a negative reaction. Then use a cotton ball to gently swab the affected area. 

Sandalwood Essential Oil: The Main Problem

Sandalwood essential oil is safe for dogs but that doesn’t mean you should rush out and buy it. There is one simple reason why you may not use it to treat your favorite pooch. 

In short, it’s very expensive. 

The sandalwood tree is one of the most valuable in the world and it’s increasingly rare. As a result, the cost of the oil is also high. Buying a sandalwood tree will set you back a cool $20,000. 

That’s one expensive pot plant!

If you want to buy premium Indian sandalwood oil then you’ll probably want to save it for yourself. Australian sandalwood is cheaper but their trees produce less oil. It’s also of a lower quality because it has a lower total content. 

To sum up, it’s a lot of money to spend on your dog, especially if you plan to use it regularly. There are plenty of alternative products on the market which does the same thing but won’t hurt your bank balance as much. 

Exercise Caution When Using Sandlewood Oil

Typically sandalwood oil doesn’t produce a negative reaction in dogs. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise caution. The molecules within essential oils are highly reactive with the compounds in our body. 

This is magnified in the case of pets because they are so sensitive.

Some common signs of essential oil poisoning include breathing problems, excessive drooling, vomiting, and rashes. 

If your dog shows any of these symptoms after using an essential oil, stop using it immediately. Bring them into fresh air as quickly as possible. Then try to wash the oil off their bodies if they have experienced physical exposure. 

Severe reactions may require veterinary assistance. It’s unlikely that sandalwood oil will cause these but it’s not impossible. 

Meanwhile, ensure that your dog never ingests sandalwood oil. They also have very sensitive eyes, noses, and ears. Dogs can even experience skin reactions to essential oils so there is a lot to think about. 

Final Thoughts

Experts agree that sandalwood oil is safe for pets as long as you use it responsibly. 

It does have healing properties that may provide benefits to the health of your dog. If your pooch suffers from severe anxiety, it may be a game-changer. But do be careful when you’re using it. 

Remember, applying tiny amounts to their bedding is one of the most effective ways of exposing dogs to sandalwood oil. This is the best way to use it to prevent fleas and ticks. 

Finally, you should always use 100% pure and organic essential oils. 

These should not contain any extra chemicals that may harm your dog. Always check the ingredients list so that you know your pet will be safe. If you have any doubts, you should contact your veterinarian before you use the product. 

Andrew Scents and Aroma
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