AROMATHERAPY FOR PETS

Aromatherapy is an ancient form of healing, having its origin in the ancient Egyptian and Indian civilizations and is making its way back as a very popular and effective therapy. This article provides you insights into how this science can be used to treat your pet for common ailments. However, as a precaution it is highly recommended that an aromatherapist be consulted before considering any home treatments since the dosage for pets is quite different than that for humans. Dogs and cats have close to twenty times the olfactory receptors than what humans have and, therefore, the dosage will be proportionately less for your pets. Also, as in the case of human beings, aromatherapy being a holistic science, one remedy that may work for one pet may not work for the other pet with the same problem. A wrong dosage could be harmful for your pet and could even prove fatal. Therefore it is imperative to consult the aromatherapist to find the best remedy for your pet.

(A note of caution while treating your cat- cats cannot tolerate and are unable to metabolize essential oils, which could lead to symptoms of toxicity or even result in death. This so, since, cats cannot metabolize EOs the way that dogs or humans can. The EOs absorbed into the body is not excreted by the cat's body and can build up to toxic levels over a period of time resulting in vomiting, nausea, dizziness, clumsiness, lack of appetite and lack of energy. To add to this, cats have very thin, delicate skin, which absorb essential oils more rapidly into their skin and enter the bloodstream. Hydrosols are the only safe option for treating your cat when using aromatherapy. Hydrosols are easily tolerated by cats and have no toxicity. Their concentration levels are far less than EO's and do not require to be diluted.)

Apart from bathing, massaging, and healing your pets, Aromatherapy is great for controlling flea and parasites, treating burns, itching, arthritis, cuts and carsickness.

Common Ailments

Skin Problems

5 drops of Lavender Oil + 5 drops of Chamomile to 10ml of Evening Primrose Oil diluted into 30ml of vegetable oil  base.

Abscess

Use 1 drop of Tea Tree Oil on the abscess, then when pus has discharged well, clean with salt water and then put 1 drop of Lavender oil onto wound for quick healing.

Anal Swelling

5 drops of Chamomile + 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil, diluted in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil e.g. Almond Oil. Put mixture on cotton wool and apply to area

Bad Doggy Breath

Add 1 drop of dill, or Aniseed Oil, to the dog's daily meals. In case it is due to gingivitis use 1 drop of Clove, Lavender, and Myrrh and dilute in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and gently massage with your finger

Burns

Aloe Vera Gel or Lavender Oil neat

Ticks

Apply 1 drop of Thyme Oil directly onto the tick. Use Ledum 30C (homeopathic) also orally.

Tick Prevention

Use 5/10 drops of each combination oils in pet's shampoo - citronella, lemongrass, thyme, sage, rue (all 100% essential oil remedies)

Flea

Use combination of all 5 if possible - Lemongrass, Neem Oil, Citronella, Rue, Tansy, Lavender Oil. Add these essential oils to pet's natural shampoo

Ear Infection

Use 1 drop of Lavender Oil, 1 drop of Chamomile Oil, dilute in 1 teaspoon of warm Almond Oil. Drip 5 drops in each ear canal.

*To reiterate, the above are a few suggestive examples of what some essential oils can do for your pet. Not all essential oils are safe and pets can die if they take the incorrect remedy. Please consult with a professional before using essential oils on your pet.