Oregano Oil for Dogs - Benefits and Uses
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Oregano Oil for Dogs: Benefits and Uses
by Ryan Karpusevich
In humans, oregano oil is beginning to be widely studied for its potential health benefits. Its antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties give this essential oil a variety of potential uses for humans. But does oregano oil for dogs offer any benefits for dogs?
But as pet owners seek more natural options for their furry family members, oregano oil may be one remedy worth exploring for targeted ailments ranging from ear infections to skin problems.
What is oregano oil?
Oregano oil is an essential oil that is obtained from oregano, a flowering plant in the mint family. Oregano oil is prepared through a complex process in which the leaves and flowers of the plant are air-dried, and the oils are extracted and concentrated by steam distillation.
The essential oil itself is a mixture of chemical compounds. Carvacrol and thymol—the two most potent compounds in oregano oil—hold the keys to its potential medicinal benefits. Recent studies have shown that carvacrol is a potent antibacterial agent, while thymol is a natural antifungal that is also thought to help support the immune system.
Historically, the use of plants for medical treatment, including oregano, has been enjoyed for centuries.
“Oils, herbs, and plants have been used for thousands of years by animals around the world, paralleling its history in human medicine and therapy,” says Dr. Janet Roark, a veterinarian based in Austin, Texas. “It wasn’t until the late 18th century that chemists began extracting the active ingredients from plants to develop modern synthetically prepared drugs. And it wasn’t until the late 19th century that veterinary medicine moved from treating animals with herbs to using conventional pharmaceuticals.”
Benefits of Oregano Oil for Dogs
Dog with ear infection
Integrative and holistic veterinarians have discovered that the properties that make oil of oregano an attractive treatment for humans — including its antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties — can potentially make oil of oregano a compelling part of a treatment regimen for dogs.
“The oregano herb and essential oil have health-supporting properties, including antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supportive,” says Arizona-based integrative veterinarian Dr. Jodi Gruenstern.
These benefits are the subject of further scientific research into oregano oil for a range of canine health issues. A September 2019 study in Veterinary Dermatology looked more closely at the effects of oregano oil on otitis externa (also known as ear infections) and found that the oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties were effective against nearly 100 different isolated bacterial strains, including some with known resistance to proven antibiotics.
by Ryan Karpusevich
In humans, oregano oil is beginning to be widely studied for its potential health benefits. Its antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties give this essential oil a variety of potential uses for humans. But does oregano oil for dogs offer any benefits for dogs?
But as pet owners seek more natural options for their furry family members, oregano oil may be one remedy worth exploring for targeted ailments ranging from ear infections to skin problems.
What is oregano oil?
Oregano oil is an essential oil that is obtained from oregano, a flowering plant in the mint family. Oregano oil is prepared through a complex process in which the leaves and flowers of the plant are air-dried, and the oils are extracted and concentrated by steam distillation.
The essential oil itself is a mixture of chemical compounds. Carvacrol and thymol—the two most potent compounds in oregano oil—hold the keys to its potential medicinal benefits. Recent studies have shown that carvacrol is a potent antibacterial agent, while thymol is a natural antifungal that is also thought to help support the immune system.
Historically, the use of plants for medical treatment, including oregano, has been enjoyed for centuries.
“Oils, herbs, and plants have been used for thousands of years by animals around the world, paralleling its history in human medicine and therapy,” says Dr. Janet Roark, a veterinarian based in Austin, Texas. “It wasn’t until the late 18th century that chemists began extracting the active ingredients from plants to develop modern synthetically prepared drugs. And it wasn’t until the late 19th century that veterinary medicine moved from treating animals with herbs to using conventional pharmaceuticals.”
Benefits of Oregano Oil for Dogs
Dog with ear infection
Integrative and holistic veterinarians have discovered that the properties that make oil of oregano an attractive treatment for humans — including its antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties — can potentially make oil of oregano a compelling part of a treatment regimen for dogs.
“The oregano herb and essential oil have health-supporting properties, including antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supportive,” says Arizona-based integrative veterinarian Dr. Jodi Gruenstern.
These benefits are the subject of further scientific research into oregano oil for a range of canine health issues. A September 2019 study in Veterinary Dermatology looked more closely at the effects of oregano oil on otitis externa (also known as ear infections) and found that the oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties were effective against nearly 100 different isolated bacterial strains, including some with known resistance to proven antibiotics.