Before I rattle off a list of safe essential oils, lets first make sure we're on the same page when it comes to what makes an essential oil safe, or not safe, to use with dogs.

Warning: this may conflict with the information you've already seen across social media from untrained professionals. So just keep that in mind.

Let's be clear. There is conflicting information out there, even between professionals, but at the end of the day, I am confident about the "safe" list (or I wouldn't have published the book and listed it with the Library of Congress)! 

Keep in mind your dog can have an adverse reaction at any time, just like humans can, so watch your dog closely whenever introducing a new essential oil.

After doing my research, the essential oils that made it on my "safe" list had to not have any consistent, reliable data showing they've caused harm to dogs.

My wording there is carefully chosen, because you can find many instances of dogs being harmed by essential oils due to their misuse or from overdosing, but not because of the essential oils' properties.

That said, nearly 100 essential oils made the cut, which gives you lots of options when using essential oils with your dog.

I'll share some of my favorites with you in a moment, but I want to remind you not to use essential oils with puppies under 6 months old, avoid using with pregnant dogs, and don't use essential oils with your dog if they have a chronic health issue that makes them weak or more sensitive to essential oils. Also avoid placing essential oils in or near the eyes, nose, ears, private or sensitive areas, or on broken skin. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell, and a little goes a long way, which is why we always dilute before offering an essential oil remedy to inhale.

If an essential oil is not on my safe list it's for one of two reasons: it has known safety issues with dogs, or there isn't enough research yet to determine its safety. Stick with the safe essential oils - there are plenty of options!

Now, for the 5 essential oils safe for dogs. Will Tea Tree make the list? I'm including the botanical names as well so there's no confusion. 

The first of 5 essential oils safe for dogs is...Bergamot.

Bergamot essential oil has two botanical names (they're just synomyms) Citrus bergamia, Citrus aurantium.

This essential oil comes two ways: cold pressed and steam distilled. For Bergamot essential oil, this is the difference between phototoxic and not phototoxic. Choose steam distilled for topical applications so phototoxicity isn't a risk. Cold pressed Bergamot needs to be diluted to 0.4% when used topically to prevent phototoxic reactions. Bergamot essential oil can help benefit a variety of issues, but the main ones it's helpful for are emotional issues. Refer to my book, Using Essential Oils Safely with Dogs for specific recipes you can use.

The second essential oil I want to share that is helpful for dogs is Cedarwood (Atlas) Cedrus atlantica. There are three types of Cedarwood that are safe for dogs, and three that are to be avoided, so make sure you note the botanical name so there's no confusion.  Cedarwood Atlas can help with several issues including digestive upset when inhaled. 

The third essential oil I want to share with you that is helpful for dogs is Clary Sage Salvia sclarea.

It's important that you don't confuse this with other Sages - none of which are safe for dogs! The worst offender is Salvia officinalis which isn't safe for human use, either (you might want to check your bottles!).

Clary Sage can be used to help dogs with anxiety, such as noises related to storms, or a ride to the vet, when safely used.

The fourth essential oil safe for dogs is Helichrysum Helichrysum italicum. This is actually one of my favorite essential oils for humans also! It's great for skin trauma issues with dogs, which can be applied topically when properly diluted. Keep in mind the dilution for dogs is far less than the dilution for humans. 

So...is Tea Tree on the safe list? *ding ding* Yes it is! Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia, not to be confused with Black Tea Tree Melaleuca bracteata, is a powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. And it's safe for dogs, when properly diluted.

So how did the rumor get started that Tea Tree essential oil isn't safe for dogs? I'm sure you're curious to know why, for once, "they" say an essential oil is not safe for dogs, that I say is. Our next episode will cover how the rumor got started, what their "evidence" is, and why my conclusion disagrees with theirs. Meanwhile, as you're checking your bottles against the list I've given you, if you can't find the botanical name on the bottle, check the company website. If you don't see it there, and contacting them isn't helpful, find a brand that shares this important information with you!