Natural Pet Health

Pure essential oils may be added in small amounts to a pet’s bath water. About 8 drops of essential oils to 2 gallons of water. These oils work well: Lavender, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Peppermint or Tea Tree.

The trend toward natural health consciousness in humans is gaining popularity in the animal world too. Many veterinarians are beginning to introduce natural therapies in their practice, including osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, flower essences and more recently aromatherapy. It’s just been a few years since aroma therapists and vets have begun to recognize how animals can benefit from this wonderful natural therapy.

For humans and animals alike, essential oils are powerfully antiseptic, detoxifying and revitalizing, thus increasing resistance to disease while strengthening the immune system.

Essential oils can also be used to control pet odors and to purify the air from dust, dander and allergens. For example, mix 50 drops of lemon essential oil in a 2-oz spray bottle filled with water. Shake very well several times and spray the room. You’ll notice immediately that it refreshes and cleanses the air!

A soothing oil for the ears bothered by mites or when foxtails have been removed is Mullein Oil.

Soak 4 oz Mullein flowers in just enough olive oil to cover for 10 days in a glass jar in the dark. Shake or stir the contents at least once a day.

Strain and apply to the ear.

Pure essential oils may be added in small amounts to a pet’s bath water.
About 8 drops of essential oils to 2 gallons of water. These oils work well:
Lavender, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Peppermint or Tea Tree.

**CAUTION: ALWAYS CONSULT A VETERINARIAN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TREAT A PET’S POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONDITION ON YOUR OWN***

Source: The Essential Oils Book by Colleen Dodt 1996

This Daily Aromatherapy Tip is brought to you by AromaThyme

Ingredients:

* 8 oz coconut oil
* 6 oz olive oil
* 1.5 oz castor oil
* 3.54 oz lye
* .25 oz jojoba oil
* .5 oz aloe vera gel
* .25 oz eucalyptus eo
* .125 oz peppermint eo
* .125 oz citronella eo
* .25 oz T-50 Tocopherol
* 6.5 oz palm oil
* 3 oz canola oil
* 8.5 oz water
* .25 oz neem oil
* .25 oz lavender 40/42 eo
* .125 oz lemongrass eo
* .125 oz tea tree oil
* .125 oz cedarwood eo

Directions

I make this in my 6 qt crockpot. Add lye to water & set safely aside. Heat coconut, palm, olive, canola & castor oils till completely melted. Add lye water & stir till light trace. Put the lid on the crockpot.

For cleaning mites or infections.

Lavender 5 drops
Tea Tree 5 drops
Roman Chamomile 1 drop

Blend with 30 ml of chamomile floral water, Use a cottong swab with solution to gently clean the ear and mist the outside of the ear as well.

NOTE: Please check with your veterinarian on the safety of these oils for your cat.

Burns & Scalds

As for people — cold water followed by neat lavender oil, as soon as possible.

Coat in Poor Condition

Add 1/4 tsp of the following blend to each feed:

1 Tbsp Olive oil
1 Tdsp Wheatgrem oil
5 drops Carrot oil
5 drops Evening primrose oil

Cuts & Bites

Put a solution of:

salt water
2 drops thyme
1 drop lavender

Then bathe the area.

Cysts

Apply:

1 drop lavender or
1 drop Tea Tree

Ear Problems

Drop & Massage around the ear

1 drop Tea Tree
1 drop Lavender
1 drop Chamomile
1 tsp Warm olive oil

By Sue Martin

Please be wary of any animal practitioner or supplier of essential oils claiming that their products or techniques are completely safe to use with cats: the statement is both inaccurate and unsafe. No matter what their claims say, nothing will change the unique physiology of a cat.

Generally, essential oils consist of hydrocarbons or monofunctional compounds from mono-and sesqui-terpenes, together phenylpropanoids and other volatile aliphatic and aromatic substances.

Many terpenoids are rapidly absorbed orally and dermally by the cat’s system and are metabolized in the liver. Due to their volatile nature, inhalation of essential oil components is also possible, and these enter the bloodstream via the lungs, also to be metabolized in the liver.

More and more people are realizing the many benefits of using essential oils with their dogs. Essential Oils help strength and regulate the immune system, they assist with healing a variety of ailments and are helpful for emotional upsets. As with people, all animals are different, so what works for one pet may not be beneficial for another. Experiment with a variety of oils to see what will assist your pet. What is important is to use a high quality, pure essential oil.

How to use essential oils with your dog:

Massage
Add one drop of essential oil to to 1/2 tsp. carrier oil, such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil or olive oil. Massage into hairless or least hairy area of the skin, such as the armpit, groin or inner thigh. Massage gently for 3 – 4 mins. Do not apply undiluted essential oil directly to your pet’s skin.

Use this blend to soothe inflamed or infected skin on dogs.

Lavender 10 drops
Tea Tree 10 drops
Peppermint 4 drops
Chamomile 3 drops
Helichrysum 3 drops

Blend this into a 20 ml of aloe vera or evening primrose.

Apply to affected area or use the blend of essential oils in a lavender floral water and mist the skin.