It’s not just the human members of your household that can benefit from a great epsom salt bath. Epsom salt baths for dogs can be a soothing and comforting bonding experience for you both. Simply fill up a tub with warm water, add your epsom salt of choice, and your four-legged best friend can enjoy a soak just like you do.
How To Choose An Epsom Salt For Your Pet
All natural essential oils are excellent for aromatherapy during your soak, but it’s important to note which essential oils are safe and which may be toxic for dogs. Using toxic essential oils in a dog soak may lead to irritation when the oil meets the skin or is inhaled. Some essential oils not recommended for use in dog soaks are:
- Pine
- Tea Tree
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
- Ylang-Ylang
- Juniper
- Peppermint
While there are several essential oils that aren’t recommended for dogs in epsom salt baths, there are others that can provide a great deal of soothing comfort for your dog. These oils that work well in dog baths include:
- Lavender
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Chamomile
- Lemongrass
- Geranium
- Spearmint
- Frankincense
Top Essential Oil Blends For Dogs
There are several blends that can provide the most benefit for your dog. Some of these include:
- Deep Relaxation – One huge benefit of an epsom salt bath for dogs is relaxation. Unlike humans, dogs will come into contact with different stimuli in their environment and they can’t quite puzzle it out like their people can. This may lead to anxiety, much like what you may see in your dog during a thunderstorm, when the trash truck comes, or if they hear fireworks. A Deep Relaxation epsom salt bath can help to calm and soothe them during these difficult times. The epsom salt can relax their muscles, while the lavender essential oil diffused in the steam relaxes their mind.
- Skin Soothing – One of the most common complains veterinarians see everyday throughout the United States is skin irritation. Whether from skin allergies, compulsive grooming behavior, dry skin, or general discomfort, skin irritation is bothersome and uncomfortable. A skin soothing epsom salt bath for dogs can help to give them that bit of comfort and relief they need to finally relax. Skin Soothing features a calming blend of lavender, frankincense, and geranium essential oils alongside pure Mediterranean Sea salt.
- Turmeric – Warm and calming, Turmeric bath soak is an excellent choice to ease and soothe tired muscles and joints for both humans and their dogs. Turmeric is a common ingredient used to flavor some dog foods, so the aromatherapy scent won’t be off-putting to your pet. A warm and soothing soak in Turmeric is often recommended after a long hike, winter stiffness, or to address any situation that calls for calming comfort.
- Lilliuma Relaxify – With lavender, chamomile, and frankincense essential oils, Lilliuma Relaxify is a powerhouse calming epsom salt bath for dogs. Perhaps for evenings after a stressful trip to the vet, or after the neighborhood has been celebrating with fireworks, a soak in Relaxify is geared toward easing their physical tension while soothing them back to comfort.
How To Give Your Dog An Epsom Salt Bath
Once you have your blend chosen, it’s time to get the bath ready for your pup. Have all of your supplies ready before getting the bath started, including all towels, a shampoo if you plan to make a cleaning part of the experience, a brush, and your chosen soak. You don’t want to leave your dog unattended in the epsom salt bath, so having everything you may need on hand is important.
Run a warm bath in your bathtub or a wash basin. Make sure the water is not too hot as to irritate or burn the skin, but warm enough that the essential oils in the soak can create an aromatherapeutic experience. As the water fills the tub, quickly brush the dog’s coat to remove any loose hair or tangles before they get into the tub.
Once the tub is filled, add in your chosen epsom salt soak. A good rule of thumb to follow when giving an epsom salt bath for dogs is to use around ½ cup for a full standard sized bathtub, or ¼ cup if you’re filling your tub about halfway. Agitate the water some to help the epsom salt to dissolve into the water and get ready to place the dog into the tub or basin.
As your dog soaks, use a cup to pour the warm water all over the dog’s body, being careful to avoid the face, eyes, and ears. Gentle stroke the dog in between pours to keep the experience relaxing and soothing. If your dog is willing, have them sit or lay in the tub to submerge their muscles and joints into the water.
An epsom salt bath for dogs should last only around 15 to 20 minutes. After they’re finished, they should receive a quick rinse with clean water to cleanse any excess salt from their fur. Once rinsed, they’re ready to be gently towel dried and allowed to enjoy their relaxed state of mind.
Epsom salt, when consumed, can have a bit of a laxative effect on dogs, so it’s important to be vigilant when preparing and giving your dog an epsom salt bath. Any drinking of the water should be deterred, as well as excessive licking of their fur before rinsing. After rinsing, however, the dog does not have to be shampooed before being dried off.
