6 Natural Recipes to Support Your Dog's Health (2024)

6 Natural Recipes to Support Your Dog's Health

June 11, 2014

Since I've started using essential oils I've been researching ways to use them for my dog, Hercules. We've made DIY dog shampoo, flea collars, deodorizers, aging support, itchy spots relief and more.

Today I wanted to share with you some of our recipes that have helped Hercules and his doggie friends, Roma and Rudy. I recommend this brand of essential oilbecause it is recommended by holistic veterinarians!

6 Natural Recipes to Support Your Dog's Health (1)

When using essential oils, the amount used should be based upon the dog's weight. All of these recipes are for dogs who weight 60+ pounds. If you have a smaller dog, please use a larger dilution ratio by doubling the amount of carrier oils or water in the recipes. These recipes are not intended for other pets, including cats. Some of these oils can cause liver toxicity in our feline friends if applied directly to their bodies-- so dogs only please! Never use tea tree on a cat-- very small amounts can be fatal.

I recommend ONLY this brand of essential oil!

6 Natural Recipes to Support Your Dog's Health (2)

DIY Dog Shampoo

This shampoo can be helpful to support the skin and coat.

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoons of castile soap
  • ¼ tsp vitamin E
  • 3 drops of peppermint essential oil
  • 3 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 2 drops of Roman chamomile
  • 2 drops of Purification
  • 1 drops of cedar wood
  • optional: 2 drops of citronella

Mix all of this together in a glass jar (an oil dispenser works fabulously). It is watery, but use it like you would normal doggie shampoo. It doesn't suds very much, but it's gentle and very effective. A big bonus is that your dog will smell absolutely amazing for days!

Deodorizing Collar for Dogs

  • ⅓ cup of purified water
  • 2 drops of citronella
  • 2 drops lavender
  • 2 drops purification
  • 2 drops peppermint

Mix together the recipe in a small bowl and soak your dog's collar in the liquid. Be careful not to submerge any plastic pieces (essential oils can degrade plastic). Cotton or natural fiber collars are best for this recipe.

Let the collar dry and then put it on your pooch! Instant awesomeness collar! Yay! And he will also smell wonderful!! I usually save my liquid by putting it into a mason jar and using it to soak his collar about every two weeks. No need to waste, right!?

Doggie Skin Support

As doggies age, their skin needs some support! My Granny uses this on her aging dog to keep her skin healthy.

  • 5 oz of carrier oil such as jojoba or olive oil
  • 3 drops of vitamin E
  • 5 drops of Lavender essential oil
  • 5 drops of Roman Chamomile
  • 2-3 drops of Frankincense or Tea Tree/Melrose (optional)

Mix this together in the glass dropper bottle and apply 2-4 drops to the skin. You can also use this for any patches of skin which happen to be dry and need extra moisture. Annnnnnd…. you can also use this on your dry skin! It's kind of fabulous.

Calming Mist Spray:

  • 10 oz water
  • 5-10 drops Lavender
  • 5-10 drops Roman Chamomile
  • Glass spray bottle

Mix this in the glass spray bottle and be sure to shake before each application.

Hercules is a lab mix with TONS of energy! I like to use this when I know guests are coming over to keep him calm. It's also great just to freshen up his coat and to remove odors after he's been playing outside.

Doggie Aging Care

All dogs get older and need extra support. This recipe has been helpful for my parent's dog, Rudy, as he begins to slow down and so that he can keep doing more of what he loves for longer!

    6 Natural Recipes to Support Your Dog's Health (3)
  • 3 Tbsp coconut oil or other carrier oil
  • 3 drops of lavender
  • 3 drops of peppermint
  • 2 drops of copaiba
  • 2 drops of balsam fir

This can be made into an ointment to rub directly on the area of concern or applied to the pad of the foot for faster absorption into the blood stream.

Other supplements to help support the skeletal system in a dog are BLM, Sulfurzyme, Omega Blue, NingXia Red, Palo Santo, and Frankincense.

Deodorizing Spray
This is a must have for when my dog has gone outside for too long and STINKS! I spray this on him before he comes in and within seconds he smells wonderful!

  • 5 oz of Water
  • 15 drops of Purification Essential Oil
  • 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
  • Pinch of Salt

Add the essential oils to the salt first and give it a gentle stir, then add the water. This helps the essential oils distribute into the water when you add it so it doesn't all float back to the top.

Lightly spray your dog with this mixture for odor relief!

Essential Oils and Pet Safety

Please remember that it is very important to use high grade essential oils when treating dogs. There are many brands which label their bottles as "pure", but really use synthetic ingredients which may harm your pup.

These recipes are not meant for pregnant or lactating dogs or on puppies younger than 8 weeks. Some essential oils may be harmful to developing pups. These recipes are intended for dogs. Do NOT use them on other pets including CATS!

You can read more about essential oils and which brand I recommend on myAbout Essential Oils Page.

Want more recipes?! How about DIY Grain Free Bad Breath Busting Biscuits for your dog? or watch this bonus video on how to make a DIY doggie treat!

You can check out this book about how to use essential oils for Dogs, Cats and Horses: Essential Oils for Natural Pet Care: A Veterinarian's Desk Reference for the Top Health Concerns of Cats, Dogs & Horses6 Natural Recipes to Support Your Dog's Health (4)

I hope you find a recipe which can be useful to your canine friend. Do you have a favorite DIY for your dog?

Theserecipes are intended for dogs. Please do not use these recipes on other pets including CATS! Note on Cats: They do not process essential oils in the same ways as dogs or humans do. I do not recommend applying essential oils directly to felines without the supervision of a veterinarian to monitor liver function.

6 Natural Recipes to Support Your Dog's Health (2024)

FAQs

What are the six essential nutrients for dogs? ›

What are the nutritional requirements for dogs? The six basic nutrients are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.

What homemade food is good for dogs everyday? ›

Here are seven different foods and meals that are safe for your dog to eat and tips on how to prepare them.
  • Chicken. Cooked chicken is a good source of protein for dogs. ...
  • Lean Ground Turkey. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Raw or Steamed Vegetables. ...
  • Fresh Fruits. ...
  • Boiled Potatoes. ...
  • Peanut Butter. ...
  • Yogurt.
Sep 12, 2023

What are the best ingredients to put in homemade dog food? ›

Good homemade food for healthy dogs includes all the vitamins, calcium, proteins and minerals your pet needs to stay healthy. You can add ground beef, chicken, lamb or venison, as well as vegetables, such as zucchini, carrots, parsnips, beets, yams, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes.

What is the most important food for dogs? ›

The six essential nutrients your dog needs include water, fat, protein, carbs, vitamins and minerals.
  1. Water. Water makes up 70 to 80 percent of a mature dog's body mass. ...
  2. Fat. Fats protect internal organs, regulate body temperature, and promote a healthy nervous system. ...
  3. Protein. ...
  4. Carbs. ...
  5. Vitamins. ...
  6. Minerals.
Jun 25, 2019

Are bananas good for dogs? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

What should top 3 ingredients be dog food? ›

What are the top 3 ingredients to look for in dog food? The top ingredients to look for in dog food are high-quality proteins (named meat sources - chicken, beef, fish, and lamb), natural carbohydrates (whole fruits and vegetables), and healthy fats (animal fats or plant-based oils).

Is oatmeal or rice better for dogs? ›

Either one, cooked and without adding butter, salt, sugar, etc. are decent choices. Of the two, brown rice would seem to be a slightly better choice as far as nutrional content. Oats are high fiber, low calorie (130 per cooked cup), low in fat, high in grain protein and gluten free.

What is the best cooked meat for dogs? ›

Some of the better options for lean meat cuts are chicken breasts, lean cuts of beef such as sirloin or flank steak, and pork tenderloin. These kinds of cuts can be boiled, baked, or grilled, but you'll want to avoid adding seasonings or other ingredients that might be harmful to your dog.

What are the 3 super foods for dogs? ›

Dog experts reveal dog superfoods
  • Sweet Potato. Sweet potato is a natural source of fiber and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. ...
  • Watermelon. Watermelon is a nutritious superfood, with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins A, B and C, potassium and magnesium. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Pumpkin. ...
  • Chia Seeds.
Jun 29, 2023

What should be the number 1 ingredient in dog food? ›

The best dog foods will always have meat as the top ingredient, and you should look for recipes that emphasize real animal proteins, rather than just meat meals. Because your dog's food should have more meat than any other ingredient, it's vital to choose a meat source that will benefit your dog's health.

Can I feed my dog oatmeal everyday? ›

Consuming a large amount can also lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and/or bloat, which can be life threatening. Half-a-cup of cooked oatmeal (at most), one to two times a week is more than enough for most large dogs. “Your dog should be eating a well-balanced commercial diet,” Dr.

Do vets recommend homemade dog food? ›

“Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist,” Larsen said.

What three ingredients should not be in dog food? ›

Corn Syrup - Used to sweeten your dog's food, but too much sugar leads to weight gain, diabetes, and hyperactivity. Sodium - Like in humans, too much salt can lead to high blood pressure among other health conditions. BHA/BHT - Preservatives known for causing kidney damage and directly linked to cancer.

What supplements should I add to homemade dog food? ›

The best vitamin supplements for homemade dog food
  1. Multivitamin supplements.
  2. Hip and joint supplements.
  3. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
  4. Vitamins A & E.
  5. Calcium.
  6. Protein supplements.
Sep 1, 2020

What are the 6 key sources of nutrients for an animal? ›

The six major classes of nutrients are water, protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins. There are various sources of nutrition. In the case of animals, roughages and concentrates are the main sources of nutrition.

What are the 6 most essential nutrients? ›

There are six basic nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. All of these are classified as essential. Your body requires essential nutrients to function properly. These nutrients must be obtained from the foods you eat; your body cannot make them on its own.

What nutrients are required for dogs? ›

Scientific research has shown that an adult dog's daily diet can contain up to 50% carbohydrates by weight, including 2.5–4.5% from fiber. A minimum of approximately 5.5% of the diet should come from fats and 10% from protein. Petfood labels do not generally list amounts of essential nutrients in grams.

What are the 6 nutrients and their functions in animals? ›

Animals also require a balanced diet that consist of six nutrient classes: water, carbohydrates, lipids, protein, vitamins, and minerals (Figure 1). Each nutrient class meets unique requirements for the survival, growth, reproduction, and health of your animals (Pond et al., 2004).

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