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 *******
cleaning help near Mundelein ..The proper selection of a training collar can have a... Read More
Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More
Over the past 30 years we have learned so much... Read More
Your mind-set, approach and way of thinking (beliefs) are critical... Read More
Tired of cleaning the cat box? Here are some tips... Read More
As much as you love the sound of your new... Read More
One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy... Read More
Sure, you may be a master of human First Aid.... Read More
How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say,... Read More
You know what it's like. You see a cute curly... Read More
A former coworker has a dog that had begun itching... Read More
The most common dog problems:Dog Owner's commonly ask me the... Read More
Part 2: Protecting your petIf you own a cat, then... Read More
All dogs bark, it's their way to communicate a message.... Read More
If you are keen on breeding Goldfish, you should know... Read More
Have you noticed that doctors are now being much more... Read More
Kittens communicate in a very distinct way. Did you know... Read More
A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More
Your dog's dental health is so important for his total... Read More
While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More
Hamster breeding can sometimes be confusing for a hamster owner.... Read More
Anyone can put two dogs together and let them breed,... Read More
Ozzie, my four-month old Rottweiler peered up at me with... Read More
Are cats and children a good mix?So, you had a... Read More
For heat dissipation and body cooling, a horse trotting at... Read More
reliable maid service Wilmette ..Your dog seems to be driving you up the wall... Read More
Playing reinforces the bond between you and your cat.Playing with... Read More
Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More
What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important... Read More
Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course,... Read More
Picture this. You're late for work one day. You look... Read More
One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More
Before we talk about using the essential oils, we first... Read More
A pet can be as important a member of the... Read More
Is your dog up to dirty no good again? Did... Read More
Making sure that accidents don't happen in the first place... Read More
Puppies need to go to the bathroom after they play,... Read More
This is a very controversial topic which has a lot... Read More
I have a business card burning a hole in my... Read More
According to holistic veternarian Dr. Jane Bicks, the maximum life... Read More
Thunder storms affected pets differently. Some hardly notice them, others... Read More
If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More
Adding a new member to your feline family is usually... Read More
Why should you use the dog crate training method?Is the... Read More
If you decide you want a purebred, make sure it's... Read More
You need a strategy for using or disposing of your... Read More
Pug puppies make wonderful pets. Pugs are very affectionate and... Read More
Pet |