The Purpose of Red Cedar Oil for Dogs
Red cedar oil is marketed as a healthy alternative to chemical products for people and pets. Cedar chips serve as a filling for dog bedding, as the scent of cedar naturally repels fleas and ticks. Cedar mulch can add fragrance and color to garden beds and act as a natural insect repellent. Cedar oil has a few different applications for dogs.
-
Cedar Oil
-
Authentic cedar oil comes from two types of trees --- Cedrus deodara and Cedrus atlantica, otherwise known as incense cedar and Himalayan cedar. When extracted from these two types of trees, essential cedar oil can benefit people and pets. Avoid cedar leaf oil (also known as thuja oil) and cedarwood oil from chamaecyparis trees and cedar nut oil from Siberian pine trees, as these oils are strictly aromatic and are not known to have therapeutic benefits.
Deodorant
-
Odor on a dog can build up quickly regardless of how clean you try to keep it. This fact holds particularly true for outdoor or long-haired dogs, as well as in households with multiple dogs. Just a few drops of cedar oil on your dog's collar every week will keep it smelling clean and fresh. Look for bedding filled with cedar chips to heighten the effect.
-
Skin Irritations
-
Cedar oil may be useful for soothing minor skin irritations on dogs. If your dog has dry skin, eczema or dandruff, rub a few drops of essential cedar oil into its skin on one of the affected spots once a week. Watch your dog for a reaction; if your dog has no adverse reaction to the oil, rub it into all skin irritations.
Arthritis and Infections
-
If your dog suffers from joint pain and arthritis, rubbing a few drops of cedar oil once a week onto the affected areas may help relieve the pain. You may also dilute cedar wood oil with pure, clean filtered water and pour it over a cut or minor wound on your dog's paw or coat to clean the wound and prevent infection. Cedar oil has also proven helpful in aiding relaxation and sleeping; if you or your dog suffer from insomnia, diffuse cedar oil along with other oils such as bergamot, cypress and cinnamon in your bedroom and your dog's sleeping area for a soothing, peaceful fragrance.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
