Calming scents DO make dogs calmer. They have a keen sense of smell, generally, and I got my friend to thank for this realization. The other day, I got my dog into my friend’s car that had an air freshener of a sweet orange scent in it. To my surprise, he put on the best behaviour I have ever seen. I did a small experiment and EUREKA!
Using scent to calm dogs is extremely effective, given their strong sensitivity to smells. Among the different fragrances that can calm dogs down effectively, lavender is known to be the most effective for most of the breeds. It is a key ingredient in many of the dog calming spray or pheromone collars out there in the market. Chamomile is a reliable alternative as well. Avoid peppermint or rosemary though.
Having said that, dogs are equally sensitive to smells that they hate. Be sure NOT to choose the smells that repel them. Here are the 6 all-natural scents from plant extracts that can effectively calm your dog, especially during your car travels.
Lavender
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), lavender oil contains Linalool which has been widely investigated and scientifically proven to interact with neurotransmitters in the brains of dogs in a way that brings about a state of sedation. Because of this, many of the calming essential oils in the market has lavender as the main ingredient.
The floral scent emitted by lavender is extremely pleasant to complement its usage.
Other Benefits Of Lavender
Lavender repels fleas and this is a godsend natural remedy to keep fleas hidden in your dog furs away. Take a few drops of lavender essential and apply it to the lower back, neck, and belly area of your dogs to let the magic happen. Those areas are warmer and thus a great place to become the “slums’ of the fleas. While it is meant to apply undiluted directly onto the skin, refrain from applying too much as some brands of essential oils are not organic, hence you run the risk of burning the skin of your pooch.
I personally recommend Canine Coddler Pet Anxiety Essential Oil. Read more about why as well as my other recommendations.
Yes, not only is lavender essential oil used for aromatherapy, it can also be used as a topical medication. And you will be glad to know about its anti-inflammatory property which removes itch. A research by NCBI justifies the presence of the natural chemicals in lavender to bring about the cooling effect to relive your pooch from having the need to scratch itself.
Chamomile
This study conducted by the national center for complementary and integrative health shows that chamomile eases anxiety symptoms. Chamomile is one of the main ingredients used in one of the main ingredients used in a complementary and alternative medicine therapy insomnia. It is also one of the key ingredients in most of the essential oils that you can buy in the market.
However, there has been mixed reaction about chamomile as a scent that is pleasing to us humans. Some people might not like the smell. So do try to find samples of them before thinking of going with it.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is one of my favorite scents. Personally.
A study by the Faculty of Pharmacy, Rangsit University showed that lemongrass has the same calming effect of lavender on humans. Whenever I use it, I do notice a notably quieter behavior in my dogs.
Other Benefits Of Lemongrass
Lemongrass has been researched and proven to be an all-natural nemesis against bacteria relations to various infections, including skin related ones. Apply a bit lemongrass essential oil on the dog and give it a good rub to give your pooch healthy skin.
Eucalyptus
Koala’s favorite leaves. They exude a scent of nature that seem to transform your surroundings into the forest. Eucalyptus essential oils comes in 2 main varieties. The Eucalyptus Globulus is the stronger version whereas Eucalyptus Radiata is the milder one. For dogs with a keener sense of smell, the Eucalyptus Globulus is NOT encouraged. Go with Eucalyptus Radiata.
Other Benefits Of Eucalyptus
The omnipotent benefit unique to the Eucalyptus scent is its bug repellent abilities. A research in 2016 concluded that Eucalyptol, the unique component in Eucalyptus, has the capability to repel insects effectively.
Orange
Similar to lavender, orange contains linalool, the key ingredient to keep dogs calm. Taken from “Essential oil Safety. A Guide For Healthcare Professionals” by Robert Tisserand, Linalool content in Orange flower & leaf water is around 50%.
Other Benefits Of Orange
In an experiment conducted by NCBI, orange oil is proven to prevent tick attachment, although not as effective as turmeric oil.
Scent That DON’T Calm Your Dog At All
I have come across a lot of articles on the Internet claiming certain scents help dogs keep calm and deal with anxiety, but in fact they are not true at all. On the contrary, they promote the exact opposite!
According this study, lavender and chamomile are observed to help the dogs stay relaxed in a veterinary hospital setting. Whereas “*rosemary* and *peppermint* oil encouraged standing, moving and vocalising”.
I am a fan of peppermint essential oil too, so it’s really a pity I cannot use it when Im travelling with my dogs in my car.
Final Thoughts
These scents are not only pleasing to us humans, but are also very well capable of inducing calm on our dogs. Give essential oils a try if you have not done so. Try with these scents and observe any changes in the behaviors of your dogs.
Remember to start off with a small bottle for experimenting. This guide is a general guide that should apply to most dogs. However, exceptions do exist as not all dogs are made equal. Test it out with your dog, as well as youselves and your family members before deciding on the scent.
