Pets draw on their immense sense of smell to better understand their environment and gauge what state of response they should assume.
If used carefully (and exercising caution is especially key here), aromatherapy can be beneficial to for the entire family – pets and all. From busting anxiety to repelling critters, essential oils offer a natural solution for furry friend and human alike.
Essential oils contain pretty powerful compounds, which can explain their age-old, highly esteemed reputation. Even small amounts can have far-reaching biological effects on the body. Lavender oil, for instance, is known to trigger a calming sensation in the brain, so it can be a useful way to comfort tentative pets. Used correctly, aromatherapy can play a supporting role in caring for your furry friends.
Essential oils to consider
- Lavender (a.k.a. the Queen of essential oils): Useful for conditioning pets to feel safe (some vet surgeries even diffuse it to reassure panicky pets); may also help with insomnia, car ride anxiety, allergies and burns; most pets respond well to this oh-so-soothing essence.
- Lemongrass & Citronella: Brilliant pest protection against fleas and ticks; use diluted in an aromatherapy diffuser.
Essential oils to avoid
The essential oil world offers a myriad of plant-based, herbal wonders, all boasting impressive healing properties. But while some bode well for our pets, others don’t – and could even prove to be very dangerous if used inappropriately. Certain aromatic essences can cause kidney and liver toxicity in sensitive pets. Cats are particularly sensitive to those containing polyphenolic compounds because they interact with the liver detoxification process. Exercise extra caution when using ‘hot oils’ like tea tree, thyme, oregano and cinnamon around your feline friends. Pooches aren’t exempt either – some essential oils can trigger tail-spinning reactions in them too. Juniper, anise, clove and thyme are known to incite allergies and skin sensitivities, and interfere with natural bodily processes. If you’re using these essences for your own wellbeing, always be mindful of your pets. Be sure to keep them are out of the room when diffusing such oils. And if you wear these essences on pulse points during the day, pay extra care when grooming and petting your companions. Oh, and always wash your hands after handling oils to avoid getting them into your pet’s delicate eyes and ears.
How To ApplyTo apply the essential oil you can simply “pet” the diluted oil solution onto them by applying it to your hands. The oils will be absorbed through the hair follicles, so you don’t need to worry about getting the oils down to your pet’s skin. Its OK if they lick the oil off their fur.
Before topical application to a pet’s skin, Essential Oils should always be diluted. A safe ratio is 1 drop of Essential Oil for 1.5 tablespoon (approx. 445 drops) of Carrier Oil. This equates to a dilution of approximately 0.25%, which is considered to be be mild and likely agreeable for pets.
Quality matters
By now, you’ve probably gathered essential oils are highly potent stuff. All owners should adhere to the principles of safety. Always use them with great care around your pets, so you don’t unwittingly harm them. As a rule of thumb: try to purchase therapeutic grade oils from reputable companies. Cheap, low-quality products may contain adulterants and contaminants that can trigger nasty reactions in your furry friends.
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To find out about the benefits, how to use them and how to get the maximise benefit of essential oils and so much more, click the button below.
