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 *******
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
To teach a dog to jump, with your right hand... Read More
Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave... Read More
How do you build a goldfish pond outdoors?The tools you... Read More
Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn't... Read More
You've seen them in movies and on TV shows, and... Read More
Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More
1. Clipping the quick when cutting nails.Don't be in a... Read More
Goldfish HealthcareYou would think that it's unfair that such a... Read More
Which cat food should you feed your cat to be... Read More
The cat population is astronomical. Most experts agree that average... Read More
No one knows your dog better than you, and as... Read More
Grocery Stores could use some larger Dog Food Isles. Not... Read More
Beaks, Bills, Face Knives, Beakers - whatever we want to... Read More
Settling a puppy into a new home successful is often... Read More
If you are keen on breeding Goldfish, you should know... Read More
Horse owners who are history buffs may recognize the name... Read More
Imagine being on a horse and he bolts. You pull... Read More
Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More
My love of horses began at the age of 11... Read More
Now that you're dog has shown you so much love... Read More
Why paint your cat? After all cats are beautiful creatures... Read More
How many times have you seen this situation where a... Read More
Dog flea control and management requires an integrated approach. For... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
Poor Dog. Subjected to my most ambitious experiments, she still... Read More
The performing of dog tricks, while not a necessary part... Read More
HistoryThroughout the US and in many parts of the world,... Read More
This article discusses two foods in paticual. For the puppy... Read More
All breeds and sizes of dogs can be taught easily... Read More
For some 25 years I have alerted the public to... Read More
Having a pet is an experiance that I think everyone... Read More
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More
Oscar is kind of a funny name and it fit... Read More
Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company... Read More
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a... Read More
Most parrot people are aware of some of the basic... Read More
Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More
We have all grown up with at least one hero... Read More
What is Canine Infectious Hepatitis?The word hepatitis refers to an... Read More
If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More
Puppy development and growth is very exciting. After a puppy... Read More
Get to know your beloved dog better with these insightful... Read More
Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out... Read More
A New Understanding of AllergiesAllergies of all kinds seem to... Read More
Caring for your dogs teeth is a vital part of... Read More
Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More
You love your dog. You would do anything for your... Read More
Pet |