Violet leaf essential oil, or Viola odorata, in aromatherapy provides a range of therapeutic benefits such as inducing calmness to aid with burnout, fatigue, headaches, nerves and poor sleeping habits. It is also widely used in perfumery as a base or middle note for its strong earthy scent with subtle woody and floral undertones.
When it comes to dogs and essential oils, its calming nature may be beneficial in helping dogs who are anxious, in shock or scared, especially when they are introduced to new places or people and finding it hard to adapt to the change in environment. However, it is important to note that essential oils impact dogs and animals in general, very differently from human beings.
Essential oils must be used with precaution around dogs. To start off, dogs have a more heightened sense of smell compared to humans. Hence, what may smell lovely to humans may be overwhelming for dogs, and this can result in respiratory problems for them. Always do a sniff test before trying out any essential oils around them or on them.
Even if violet essential oil may be helpful for your dog, if they don’t seem to like it, then try not to use it around them if you can. If you happen to be diffusing this, make sure your dog has a way out if they don’t seem to like how it smells. If your dog likes the smell, it may point its muzzle to sniff the essential oil more or even move their body closer.
Some dogs may express how they feel more obviously than other dogs, so you may have to take some time to observe their behavior when you whip out the essential oil. If your dog doesn’t mind the scent and the oil seems to work well on them and you want to try topical application, it is advisable to consult in a veterinarian first.
Violet leaf essential oil when applied topically has an analgesic effect, providing relief for sore, aching muscles and joints. When it comes to applying violet leaf essential oil or any essential oil topically on your dog, observe how your dog feels about topical application. Observe their body language and make sure to use pet friendly carrier oil.
If you’re applying it topically on yourself, wash your hands and avoid putting it on the areas where your dog may lick you such as your face and your hands. Humans should avoid ingesting essential oils and the same applies for pets, you don’t want to unintentionally or accidentally poison your dog with this little mistake.
Common symptoms of essential oil poisoning on dogs:
- Watery nose or eyes
- Red lips, gums or skin
- Difficult breathing, coughing or wheezing
- Low heart rate
- Low body temperature
- Trembling and wobbling
- Vomiting or drooling
A little bit goes a long way is the mindset when it comes to using essential oils whether on yourself or on your dog. Not all essential oils are made equal; the same applies to your dog. Every dog is different and not all dogs will react the same way to essential oils. Make sure to carry out your research and if in doubt, consult a veterinarian and/or aromatherapist.