How To Dilute Cedarwood Oil For Dogs? (+Benefits Of Cedarwood Oil)

To dilute cedarwood oil for dogs, add about 10 drops of pure cedarwood essential oil to 200 ml (roughly 7 oz) of distilled water in a spray bottle, shake well before every use, and mist it lightly onto your dog's coat, away from the face. Always patch test first, never apply the oil undiluted, and keep it away from cats, who are especially sensitive to essential oils.

In this article, we’ll cover what cedarwood oil can and can't do for your dog, how to dilute and use it, and the safety precautions to follow.

What are the benefits of cedarwood oil for your dog?

Cedarwood oil is best known as a natural insect repellent. It's an ingredient in some natural flea and tick sprays, and it can help repel fleas, ticks, and other pests. People also use it for its pleasant, woody scent, which some owners find helps their dog settle and relax, and it's said to have mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, though there's little research on this in dogs.

What it isn't is a replacement for a vet-recommended flea and tick preventive. Natural repellents don't protect as reliably, and ticks can spread serious diseases like Lyme disease, so use cedarwood oil as an extra, not your only line of defense. However, it’s important to note that cedarwood oil is a potent substance and should be diluted before use. In this section, we’ll discuss how to dilute cedarwood oil for dogs.

How do you dilute cedarwood oil for dogs?

Before you dilute the cedarwood oil you need the following supplies:

• Empty Spray bottle
• 10 drops of Cedarwood essential oil
• 200ml Distilled water

First, fill the spray bottle with distilled water. Next, add the 10 cedarwood oil drops. Be sure to screw on the lid tightly and shake well to mix the oil and water. Oil and water separate quickly, so shake the bottle again every time you use it. When you’re ready to use it, lightly mist your dog’s coat from the back, holding the bottle some distance away. Avoid spraying near the eyes, nose, mouth, genitals, or any broken skin. When you want to apply it to your dog’s neck, simply spray it in your hands and then rub it on the neck area.

If you’re using cedarwood oil for the first time, it’s always best to do a patch test first. To do this, simply apply a small amount of diluted cedarwood oil to a small area of your dog’s skin. Wait 24 hours to see if there is any redness, swelling, or other reaction. If there is no reaction, you can start using the spray, while keeping an eye on how your dog responds.

Dogs have a far more sensitive nose than we do, so a scent that seems mild to you can be strong for them. If your dog tries to rub it off, avoids you, sneezes a lot or seems unsettled, stop using it.

Now that you know how to dilute cedarwood oil for dogs, let’s discuss how often you should use it.

How often should you use cedarwood oil for your dog?

Less is more with essential oils. If your dog already has a flea or tick infestation, cedarwood spray won't clear it on its own; talk to your vet about a proven treatment, and treat your home and bedding too.

As a light repellent, for example before a walk in the woods, a spritz once or twice a week is plenty for most dogs. If your dog has anxiety or stress, you may want to use it more often (for restless nights, also see our sleep aids for dogs). Simply spray the diluted cedarwood oil lightly on your dog’s coat and massage it in. Don't add drops straight to your dog's bathwater, though: the oil floats on top undiluted and can end up concentrated on the skin.

Are there any safety concerns with using cedarwood oil for dogs?

Cedarwood oil is seen on Dr. Axe’s list of safe essential oils for dogs. However, it’s always best to do a patch test first to be sure, and a few precautions matter:

• Never use cedarwood oil undiluted on dogs, and don't let your dog lick or swallow it.
• Don't use it on cats, and keep cats away from treated dogs and sprays. Cats can't process many essential oils safely.
• Ask your vet first if your dog is a puppy, pregnant, elderly, has epilepsy, asthma or another health condition, or takes medication.
• Store the bottle out of reach, as swallowing concentrated essential oil can poison a dog.

Call your vet or an animal poison control line if your dog shows drooling, vomiting, wobbliness, tremors, weakness or trouble breathing after exposure to an essential oil. If you have any concerns, please consult with your veterinarian before using cedarwood oil on your dog. Burning cedarwood incense is a different story, as smoke brings its own risks (see is incense bad for dogs).

Where can you buy cedarwood oil for dogs?

Commercial products often include other ingredients that may not be safe for your dog. For this reason, we recommend only using pure, 100% cedarwood oil on your dog. Note that "therapeutic-grade" is a marketing term rather than an official standard, so look for a brand that lists the botanical name and source on the label. You can purchase pure cedarwood oil online or at a health food store.

Here is one of our recommendations that offers 100% Pure Cedarwood Oil: