Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much as humans can. Aside from possibly eliminating bad odors and giving your pet a pleasant perfume, essential oils also serve many practical functions such as boosting your pet's immune system, fighting off bacteria and viruses, preventing the growth of yeasts and molds and repelling insects.
Aromatherapy is used by enthusiasts, groomers and pet salons to trea mild ailments such as skin inflammations, itchy skin ear infections, rashes, bad breath, flatulence and motions sickness. Psychologically, certain oils also have a calming or relaxing effect on animals. For example lavender oil not only helps kitties repel insects but it also makes them feel sleepy or content. Roman chamomile can be used to treat an ear infection as well as soothe the nerves of a dog in pain.
Essential oils are also frequently used as home remedies. However before you attempt to use aromatherapy on your own pets, keep in mind that essential oils are always diluted before they are applied to a pet's skin or sprayed on their coat. Almond oil, olive oil and jojoba oil are common base oils to which a few drops of the essential oil is added. Usually all that is needed is about one ounce of the base oil combined with two to three drops of the essential oil.
Essential oils can also be diluted in a spray bottle and misted onto the pet or the pet's bedding. You can simply dilute a few drops in distilled water or you can use water and a mixture of aloe, witch hazel or cider vinegar. The traditional recommendation is to use 20 to 30 drops of oil per eight ounces of liquid. Any less might not be effective and any more might be toxic to the pet.
Oils can also be diluted in vodka or brandy and dabbed on the bottom of the pet's paws or on an acupressure point such as the tips of the ears. This is the technique to use if you are dealing with a panicky pet. Never feed your pet alcohol or essential oil directly.
Essential oils are also effective flea and tick repellents and are nearly as effective as sprays and powders that contain a lot of toxic chemicals. Oils such as peppermint, citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, geranium, bay and myrrh have been components of herbal flea sprays and flea collars for many years. You can easily make your own flea and tick spray by combining about 25 drops of any of these oils into eight ounces of water. Shake the mixture well and spray it on your pet, being careful to shield its eyes from mist. This mixture can also be sprayed anywhere that you suspect there may be a breeding bug infestation.
When using essential oils it is also essential for you to remember that a dog or cat's sense of smell is much more acute than our own. Signs that an aromatherapy treatment is too overwhelming for your pet are tearing eyes, sneezing, pacing or whining. Cats may lick themselves excessively and dogs may rub their head on the ground in order to escape the smell. Many pets also have allergies to essential oils. For instance, chamomile is related to the ragweed plant, which is a common allergen for both pets and humans. This is why it is so important to use a mild solution at first and use your powers of observation the first few times you use an essential oil mixture on a pet.
******* (c) 2005 Liz Santher - All Rights Reserved
Liz Santher is a aromatherapy enthusiast and freelance author.
http://www.aromatherapysecret.com *******
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A... Read More
Last summer, we added a new pet to our family... Read More
The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More
Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important... Read More
Talk to the animals?Yes.And what's more, they talk to us!If... Read More
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, because the disease... Read More
"Westies" or West Highland White Terriers are furry coated dogs,... Read More
Puppies can be so exasperating! They know what we want,... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
Location of your aquariumSo, you bought your very first fish... Read More
Man's Best Friend is a great companion around the home,... Read More
Dear Fellow Dog Lover,I assume you love your dog, or... Read More
Sure, you may be a master of human First Aid.... Read More
Maintaining your fish bowl can be difficult sometimes. However, your... Read More
Canine Diabetes: A Serious Dog Disease That is Completely ManageableCanine... Read More
Why is it that cats get no respect? Are they... Read More
Breed specific legislation otherwise known as "BSL" has started to... Read More
Animal Communication, or telepathy with animals, is as common an... Read More
Westies dogs' owners delight in the companionship their dogs give... Read More
Obesity in dogs is a growing problem, which can cause... Read More
Which is the noisiest species of all? Nope, not the... Read More
Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course,... Read More
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and... Read More
The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate... Read More
With all the companionship and love that our dogs give... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn ..Your poor pooch is scratching himself all over. Plus, you... Read More
In the purebred West Highland Terrier puppy market, there are... Read More
Looking for some quick Rottweiler dog facts? Here's a quick... Read More
Dogs and children are a perfect fit. They are what... Read More
Do you make a lot of trips to the vet's... Read More
If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More
You Must Be The Alpha DogFirst, let's take a look... Read More
Our pets depend on us for their every need, including... Read More
Standing and walking on the hind legs are tricks that... Read More
Since having a dog is such a common thing, do... Read More
Do you own a horse? If so, then you have... Read More
Nutrition and Your Dog's Behavior Proper nutrition is the fundamental... Read More
When I had a Toy Poodle, I used a small... Read More
The teaching and training of dog tricks while not a... Read More
When I first started my interest in reptiles I was... Read More
Mention the word "video" and different people would come up... Read More
Cats need only be provided with decent shelter, food and... Read More
Puppy training can and should begin the day you bring... Read More
It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
Every year, hundreds of thousands of cats and kittens are... Read More
So you're getting a Rottweiler puppy? Here are some general... Read More
As dogs grow older, their senses become less sharp and... Read More
Hamsters are soft, furry and small. They make wonderful pets... Read More
Part2: Does your puppy want to be crate trained?Yes! in... Read More
Pet |