Essential oils for your pets
There’s nothing quite like the love for a family member, and a cat or dog is no different. No matter what pet you have, pets will certainly give you the warmest welcome when you return home after being out for a couple of hours or a day. Having had an own dog and cat for most of my life, as well as taking care of many clients pets for the past five years of professional house and pet sitting, I have come to value the power of essential oils when considering our health and wellbeing.
The popularity of aromatherapy continues to gain momentum worldwide, as many people are diffusing essential oils in their home to enhance their living space. In contrast, the innate true power that essential oils provide in terms of being an alternative healthy and low-tox cleaning solution has mostly gone unrecognized. One of the most important things to watch out for is that your essential oils are pure, natural or organic. Please read the labels of any oil thoroughly prior to using them on pets directly or within their shared space.
KP-Unity recommends using dōTERRA’s high quality oils which are CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® and exceed industry standards. Because organic certification varies from country to country, province to province, and in the US, from state to state, it is not currently possible to acquire all oils under certified organic status. However, the GC/MS analysis process which dōTERRA applies to all their essential oils will determine if any chemical residue is present within the product, such as pesticides, herbicides, extenders, and other solvents. This rigorous analysis process ensures that all CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils offered by dōTERRA are a step above organic. Therefore we believe that dōTERR Essential Oils are by far the most suitable and healthy alternative. However, it is your responsibility to read the labels, as well as ensure you chose the correct oil and dosage as directed and suitable for your pet, which is why we highly recommend consulting with your trusted veterinarian when you are unsure.
When using essential oils for the very first time, make sure you observe the response of your pets. We recommend that any essential oil should be introduced gradually into your wellness routine. Dogs and cats have millions of olfactory receptors and hence are very susceptible to odour particles and more sensitive sense of smell compared to humans. They can become overwhelmed, irritated or unwell by any product containing essential oils, fragrances, perfumes or chemical odours, which may cause respiratory issues, skin reactions or allergies for example.
A good way to gradually exposing your furry family to essential oils is by placing one drop into a cotton ball which you can hold in your hand, put in your pocket or place around the room so that your pets can playfully explore this novelty. In doing so you can observe and gauge their responses as you hold and play with them throughout the day and change the oil and dosage when required or as suited. In fact, selective pure essential oils sourced directly from nature can work wonders on our pets when used with care and as directed.
Beginners Guide:
Always use as directed and do not increase the dosage.
Oral administration is not recommended.
Different rules apply for cats and dogs when it comes to topical use.
Avoid application to ears and eyes.
Avoid using the same blend for extended periods of time.
Make sure you have used the oils yourself before using on your pets.
Ensure there is adequate ventilation and the diffuser is out of reach of your pet.
Allow time for your pet to acclimatise to oils.
Avoid leaving oils in water dishes at ground level to ensure your pet does not ingest oils.
Diffusing pure essential oils to scent and purify the home with beautiful aromas, whilst gaining their medicinal benefits, is without a doubt the most popular method of use. When using this method for the first time within close proximity of to pets, ensure you allow them to leave if they feel uncomfortable or agitated. Best is to begin by diffusing a few drops in an open space where the family congregates, and your pet likes to relax.
Observe their behaviours and reactions and see if they feel comfortable or not. If they disappear when you diffuse a particular oil blend, then start by lowering the dose. If they continue to dislike it, change the essential oil or blend and seek guidance from experts. When choosing a suitable essential oil and dosage your pets will act accordingly and equally enjoy the scent, as well as their health benefits. . In fact, using essential oils for dog anxiety is becoming a popular remedy for pet owners, with lavender, roman chamomile and geranium working to calm and soothe. Do not diffuse for more than 3 hour intervals at a time, and do not exceed drop count. Remember, diffusing essential oils is not to be confused with using essential oils topically on ourselves and our pets. Different rules apply.
Although essential oils have increasingly gained in popularity in providing a beautiful aromatic home or work environment, as well as being recognised for their health and wellbeing properties, their applications as a powerful healthy alternative to cleaning solutions has gone mostly unnoticed.
Most people pay little attention to their cleaning products and regularly wash, clean, mop, spray and wipe around the house, thereby using popular and most favourite brands blended with fragrance and harmful chemical compositions. These toxins, even when in minuscule quantities, are even worse for your dog and cat. This is because their exposure to toxins is much higher than that of humans as they spend most of their time close to the floors, carpets, on sofas, beds to name a few. Dogs and cats are particularly at risk to breathing these in when sniffing around, and ingest these when licking around or eating food from the floor. They can also absorb toxins through their paw pads and skin.
If you use conventional non-organic chemical cleaning products, I highly recommend reconsidering your cleaning routine to protect your beloved pets from harmful chemicals and instead use a variation of safe cleaning solutions.
- Healthy Multipurpose Cleaning Spray: Use 1 part of apple cider vinegar, 4 parts of water and add 5 drops of dōTERRA Lemon essential oil, and mix well in a spray bottle.
- Wood and Floor Cleaner: Use 1 litre of water, ad 1 cup of vinegar and ad 10 drops of dōTERRA arborvitae oil.
Massage: (not recommended for cats). The size of your dog will determine how much oil to use. Important is to dilute the oil with a cold pressed carrier oil, like organic coconut oil or jojoba oil. Dilute 1-2 drops of your chosen essential oil in 20 ml of a base oil, and gently sway the flask to mix. Do never exceed 2 or more drops.
Quick Rub/Palm Method: For easy and comfortable application, rub 1-2 drops of a suitable oil of your choice between your hands, and then apply by gently stroking the animal’s fur. For example you could rub 1 or 2 drop of pure lavender oil to calm and relax your pet, or pure cedarwood oil to use as a tick repellent.
Shampoo: (not recommended for cats). Combine 2 drops of chosen oil to 50ml of a natural non-fragranced dog shampoo base, for example Dr. Bronner, for a shiny coat, and to manage ticks and fleas. Choose from lavender, cedarwood OR frankincense. Avoid eye area.
Important to remember
Most veterinarians state that the following essential oils should never be used on any pets. If in doubt, please always consult with your trusted veterinarian first. These oils are: Anis, Birch, Bitter Almond, Boldo, Calamus, Camphor, Cassia, Chenopodium, Clove, Garlic, Goosefoot, Horseradish, Hyssop (Hyssopus sp. with the exception of Decumbens), Juniper (Juniperus sp. with the exception of Juniper Berry), Mugwort, Mustard, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Red or White Thyme, Rue, Santolina, Sassafras, Savory, Tansy, Tea Tree, Terebinth, Thuja, Wintergreen, Wormwood and Yarrow.
