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 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 is the most natural diet for a dog? ›

Raw Diets. One way to provide your dog with a natural diet is through raw foods. Raw diets are designed to mimic the nutrients of what your dog would eat in the wild -- raw meats, vegetables, and grains.

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).

What are the biologically appropriate dog food recipes? ›

Bulk Versions for Large Dogs
  1. 18 cups (about 7 pounds) boiled, sliced potatoes (or 13 ½ cups cooked brown rice)*
  2. 3 cups creamed cottage cheese*
  3. 1/3 cup nutritional yeast.
  4. 1 ½ cups whole milk*
  5. 1 ½ cups grated cheese*
  6. ¾ cup grated or chopped vegetables*
  7. Layer potatoes and cottage cheese in a roaster (or other large pan).

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 should be the main ingredient in homemade dog food? ›

WHAT IS THE RATIO FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD? Dogs are obligate carnivores, so their diet should mainly consist of meats and protein. A good recommendation is 80% meat, 10% vegetable, and 10% Know Better Pet Food Premix.

What meat should dogs not eat? ›

Feeding your dog fatty foods, like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, or fried chicken, can upset your dog's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also lead to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Some breeds, like Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers, may be more prone to pancreatitis.

Is it better to feed dogs raw or cooked meat? ›

cooked meat for dogs? Raw meat may be closer to a dog's natural diet, but cooked meat may both be easier for you to handle and for your dog to digest — and it may even get your pooch more excited about eating. The reason comes down to digestion, smell, and texture.

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 is the best meal plan for dogs? ›

A dog's homemade meal should encapsulate a variety of nutrients. A blend of meat, low lectin carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, vegetables, fruits, healthy oils, and herbs, creates a balanced diet. Grains, unfortunately found in most brands of dog food, are not an appropriate food for dogs.

What not to put in homemade dog food? ›

There is a wide variety of unhealthy and unsafe foods to avoid when preparing meals for your dog. Potentially toxic ingredients are of special concern, including chocolate, xylitol, avocado, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and macadamia nuts.

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 foods act as a probiotic for dogs? ›

Lots of natural food sources contain probiotics - such as live yoghurt, sauerkraut and kombucha (mentioned above), cottage cheese, kefir, broccoli, banana and sweet potato. These can be safely fed daily to your dog to boost their probiotic intake.

What can I feed my dog daily instead of dog food? ›

Here are some things you can feed your pooch from your fridge or cupboard:
  • Bananas.
  • Blueberries.
  • Broccoli.
  • Carrots.
  • Cooked boneless lean meat (chicken, beef, or turkey)
  • Onion-free gravy for taste.
  • Plain boiled rice.
  • Plain, unprocessed oatmeal.

Can I feed my dog chicken and rice everyday? ›

Chicken and rice isn't meant to be given as an everyday dog food, nor is it suitable to be used in place of regular dog treats.

Can I feed my dog rice and veggies everyday? ›

Yes, dogs can eat rice. In fact, you may have noticed rice featured as an ingredient in commercial dog foods. However, a rice meal on its own should not be a daily affair – rice should only be part of a varied diet that offers all the nutrients your dog needs.

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