Is Orange Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?

Over the past decade, essential oils have grown in popularity as an alternative treatment for pets.

As a result, there are a lot of anecdotal claims and marketing around certain essential oils that make using them on pets seem attractive.

However, like any other health product out there, administering the wrong essential oils to your dog can have detrimental effects on his health.

So, it is advisable to exercise a lot of caution before using any essential oil on your dog.

To aid your research process, we’ll focus on orange essential oil on this post, especially with regards to its safety when used around or on dogs

(If you are interested in other essential oils, scroll to the bottom of the article for links to other reviews you might find useful).

What is Orange Essential Oil?

For starters, essential oils are the “essence” or concentrated organic compounds derived from plants.

Like other oils, orange essential oil is extracted from Citrus sinesis (the sweet orange) through cold pressing.

Some manufacturers also use leaves and flowers of the pant as well. Steam distillation may also be used but it is fairly uncommon.

When you peel an orange, you’ve probably noticed tiny droplets spray from the peel as well as a burst of orange aroma.

That’s the essential oil that’s contained in the rind escaping as you peel the fruit. It is what’s extracted by the mentioned processes. 

Is Orange Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?

The short answer is: when used moderately and safely, orange essential oil is not only safe but beneficial to dogs.

For instance, the oil essential oil is energizing, cleanses and detoxifies the skin, and is effective for deodorizing dog odors—and that’s why it is added to many doggie shampoos.

It also has potent calming and uplifting effects, making it effective for dogs with depression and anxiety.

Orange essential oil is also known to stimulate appetite in dogs.

Diffusing this oil before your pooch’s mealtime may, therefore, help boost his appetite if he wasn’t eating due to stress and depression issues.

Finally, sweet orange essential oils pack a lot of natural vitamin C, which promotes the production of collagen, reduces inflammation, and aids the repair of skin and coat in dogs.

But Most Websites List Citrus Essential Oil As Unsafe For Dogs?

You are probably thinking…but citrus oil is listed by many websites as unsafe for dogs?

Well, your concern is valid because there is still no clear ruling on whether citrus essential oil is completely safe for dogs.

While some sources say that it is safe, other people believe it is toxic to dogs. 

So, which school of thought should you go with?

Well, it all boils down to the amount of orange essential oil you use on your dog.

When properly diluted, administered in small quantities, and used as directed by the manufacturer, citrus essential oils won’t cause any harm to your dog.

The opposite is also true. If used improperly, citrus essential oils may be toxic to your dog.

Exposing your dog to concentrated citrus essential oils, for instance, may cause seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, and even make your dog go into a coma.

Puppies and senior dogs are also more sensitive to citrus oils.

Moderation is Key

Orange essential oil can improve the health of your pooch, but only when you use it at very low concentrations.

So, always dilute the essential oil using appropriate carrier oil before you apply it on your dog.

Besides, remember to only use wholly natural orange essential oil derived from organic sources.

Buy from Reputable sources

Ensure that the orange essential oil that you use on your dog comes from a trusted and reputable source.

Unscrupulous dealers often mix their products with other things that could be dangerous to your dog.

The concentration may also be inappropriate, which could derail your dilution efforts.

Go for 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils.

But remember that purity doesn’t mean safe, so after obtaining good quality oil, you should still administer it in a safe way.

How to Safely Use Orange Essential Oils around Dogs

• Each dog reacts differently to essential oil, so when you are using orange essential oil on your dog for the very first time, start slowly so that you can see how your dog reacts.

• When diffusing the oil, keep the doors open and ensure that there are exit points so that your dog can leave if the scent overwhelms him.

• Any essential oil straight out of the bottle is too potent for your dog’s body. To avoid irritations, always remember to dilute your orange EO with appropriate carrier oil.

• To ensure that you are using essential derived from sweet orange, verify that label says it is Citrus sinensis—and not Citrus aurantium or any other type of citrus.It is also vital to check if the product is 100% pure. If it is not, the label should highlight other ingredients in it.

• If possible, open the bottle of the oil and smell it. If the scent is like anything but orange, choose another brand.

The Bottom line

 Adding some orange essential oils to your dog’s health routine can have a profound impact on his health.

However, you should note that a high concentration of oil can be toxic to your dog.

So, be cautious when using this essential on your dog and remember the tips we’ve suggested in this post.