Epsom salt baths are well-known to soothe, relax, and rejuvenate. Are humans the only ones who benefit from these feelings? No! Our furry best friends can enjoy epsom salt baths for dogs, too.
What Types Of Dogs Enjoy Epsom Salt Baths?
When you think to yourself “I could use a good soak” what leads to that thought? Perhaps you’ve had a long day at work, maybe you’ve been feeling stressed. You could have spent the day enjoying the crisp outdoors and you want to warm up in a way that a blanket simply won’t cut it. Maybe you’ve hit the gym or the trails particularly hard and you’re looking for a soothing refresh.
When a dog has had a day playing out in the crunchy leaves or soft snow, when they’ve run particularly hard that afternoon, when they’re stressed and need a little soothing, or when they’ve had a long day of “important” dog activities – an epsom salt bath can provide them the same comfort it provides to their owners.
How To Give Your Dog An Epsom Salt Bath
Running an epsom salt bath for a dog is much like running one for a human. First make sure the water is warm and comfortable, but not hot. For dogs, you may wish to run a bath a little cooler than what you’d typically prefer for yourself. When adding your epsom salt, use between ½ to 1 tablespoon of soak per gallon of water used, starting on the lower end until your dog gets used to taking epsom salt soaks. Once your soak is added, agitate the water to make sure all soak has dissolved.
While your dog soaks, run warm water through their fur with a cup. Allow them to relax and enjoy the bath, breathing in gentle aromas while they feel the soothing power of the epsom salt. Allow your dog to soak for around 15 minutes to get the full effect from the aromatherapy, epsom salt, and warm water. Epsom salt may have a laxative effect if ingested by dogs, so pet parents should always stop their dogs from ingesting the bath water during their soak.
Before removing your dog from the water, drain the bathtub and prepare a cup or sprayer to rinse the epsom salt from the dog’s fur. Once the fur has been rinsed, you can dry off your dog with a soft, clean towel.
After an epsom salt soak, your dog may lay down to take a nap or their behavior may simply be more relaxed. This is normal, as your dog is feeling, and enjoying, the affects of the soak even after their time in the bathtub is through.
What Epsom Salt Soaks Can I Use On My Dog?
It’s important to consider a dog’s olfactory, or scent, receptors when choosing a soak to use with your furry best friend. Humans have about 6 million olfactory receptors, while the average dog has around 300 million. In addition to this, the part of the brain that analyzes scent in a dog is about 40 times more efficient than that of a human.
Dogs can enjoy aromatherapy, but it’s best to keep it simple. The aromas we take into our senses are being taken in 50 times stronger by a dog. Some blends that are safe and gentle for use in dog baths include:
- Detox Bath Soak – Detox bath soak is an uplifting and rejuvenating soak great for older dogs who may need a little inspiration to keep their energy levels high. This soak features USP grade epsom salt, Vitamin C crystals, fractionated MCT coconut oil, Vitamin E oil, and essential oils of bright zesty lemon and warm cozy ginger.
- Deep Relaxation Soak – For stressed, nervous, or anxious dogs, a Deep Relaxation soak can help to soothe and comfort while providing ample relaxation. This soak is simple and effective using USP grade epsom salt, Vitamin C crystals, fractionated MCT coconut oil, Vitamin E oil, and all-natural lavender essential oil. A basic soak blend that uses just one all-natural aroma, this is a perfect choice for trying epsom salt soaks for dogs for the first time.
- Lilliuma Relaxify Bath Salt – Relaxify by Lilliuma is another deeply relaxing soak to soothe and comfort your dog. This soak uses Mediterranean Sea salt, fractionated MCT coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, Vitamin E oil, and essential oils of lavender, chamomile, and geranium. These three powerhouse relaxation oils provide near immediate soothing in both humans and their dogs.
The Importance Of All-Natural Epsom Salt Soaks For Dog Baths
When drawing an epsom salt bath for a dog, it’s important to know all you can about every ingredient that goes into any soak. Some synthetic fragrances and ingredients made for human senses could be harmful to dogs so choosing all-natural dog safe ingredients provides peace of mind that you’re doing only the best for your pet.
Epsom salt used in dog baths should be USP graded and certified. The USP, or United States Pharmacopeia, has been setting safety and purity standards for personal care products for nearly 200 years. When a salt is USP certified, this means that the product has passed all regulatory requirements to be considered safe and effective for use. Salt without this grade may be cut with other products or have unregulated potency; potentially leading to a less effective or even harmful experience.
All-natural essential oils provide aromatherapeutic elements to your dog’s bath without overwhelming your buddy’s natural olfactory senses. These aromas come from natural plants, which dogs are typically well used to sniffing and exploring.
