Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A018
Published online: 22 April 2026
Sniff happens: aromatherapy through the nose of a dog
Kamila Kaszycka*, Małgorzata Goleman and Wanda Krupa
Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950, Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: kamila.kaszycka@up.edu.pl
Aromatherapy is increasingly used in dogs to influence emotional state, behaviour, and overall welfare. This approach is highly promoted by behaviourists and welfare management specialists during the consultations for the common behavioural issues, for example, for phobias and periods of increased anxiety after adoption, travelling and visits to the veterinarian. Claimed effects include reduced stress and anxiety, increased relaxation, modulation of arousal, improved adaptability to challenging environments, and improved cognitive abilities and organ function. This poster summarises current scientific knowledge regarding the behavioural and physiological effects of olfactory exposure to essential oils in domestic dogs.
Current studies suggest that certain olfactory stimuli may promote relaxation, as indicated by increased resting behaviour, reduced vocalisation, decreased locomotor activity, and lower expression of stress-related behaviours. In some cases, exposure has been associated with changes in physiological parameters linked to the autonomic nervous system, such as heart rate, but this research is scarce and not well-established. Conversely, other olfactory stimuli may increase alertness, exploratory behaviour, or avoidance responses, indicating stimulating or aversive effects. Importantly, responses appear to vary considerably across individuals and may depend on factors such as temperament, prior experience, environmental context, and presentation method, as well as on prior associations with scent. Despite those statements, many of those papers use multiple essential oils at once, which might disrupt the effects of incorporating them into the environment. Limited exposure time and a lack of physiological response data are other major concerns when analysing the results. Essential oils, despite their frequent use, do not provide sufficient evidence of their effectiveness to be considered anything other than alternative therapy.
Overall, evidence indicates that olfactory interventions can influence canine behaviour and emotional state, but findings remain inconsistent and limited in scope. Current knowledge does not yet allow definitive conclusions regarding efficacy, reliability, or practical application, nor their effectiveness compared with appropriate medication, for example, in the treatment of noise phobias. Further controlled research integrating behavioural and physiological measures is necessary for clarifying the mechanisms of action of single scent applied and to evaluate the role of aromatherapy as a tool to support canine welfare.
Keywords: alternative therapies; behaviour; dogs; essential oils
How to cite
Kaszycka K., Goleman M., Krupa W., 2026. Sniff happens: aromatherapy through the nose of a dog. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A018