Natural Pet Health

Birds are very sensitive creatures and can easily get stressed by changes to their environment. Parties and gatherings, especially around the holidays, can bring lots of noise and stress into your birds’ environment. Here are a few tips to help Polly feel contented during the chaos:

* Avoid high traffic areas – don’t put your bird “in the line of fire”. This means away from doorways, noisy areas full of guests, and the blaring television, etc.
* Beware strangers bearing gifts – instruct children not to try to feed your bird any holiday treats which can cause intestinal upset.
* Find a quiet getaway – put your bird in a bedroom or other quiet room and try using a blue or green light bulb in your bedroom lamp. Birds respond well to these calming colors.

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!

In today’s chaotic world, combined with the unsteady state of the economy, more and more people are being forced to alter their lifestyles – whether that means taking on a second job to make ends meet or cutting back on little luxuries.

Regardless of the personal sacrifices, the effects of our stressors are trickling down to our pets. Whether our pets are being left alone for longer periods of time, not getting an extra 20 minutes of exercise, eating lesser quality food, or being the recipients of our vented frustrations, it’s important not to compromise the health of our pets, as the long-term effects can be very harmful.

Why do some dogs just love to roll in filthy rotting things like dead toads or fish, manure, swamp water or anything that simply smells revolting? They think it’s great while we think it’s obnoxious. We have to take the time to bath them or get them groomed by a professional. Sometimes the bath will not get rid of the smell.

So why do dogs love to smell so bad? Experts believe that dogs may do this in an effort to disguise their own smell. They are not sure why dogs would want to do this though. Perhaps it goes back to the days when they had to hunt for their own food. They would have a much better chance of capturing whatever they were stalking for dinner if their prey couldn’t smell them. Makes sense I guess.

Aromatherapy has been used for decades to soothe human beings, but more recently, pet owners are realizing the incredible value of using dog aromatherapy to help dogs live happier, more contented lives.

What is Dog Aromatherapy?

The concept of aromatherapy isn’t a new one. Smells affect us drastically and since dogs have a far keener sense of smell, it stands to reason that aromas would have a powerful effect on them as well. Dog aromatherapy is possibly even more effective than human aromatherapy for this very reason.

Unique gift: Doxie dog aromatherapy neck wrap… More >>

Warm whiskers doxie dog aromatherapy neck wrap Warm Whiskers

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

1/2 ounce base oil (hazelnut or sweet almond)

4 drops Ravensara

2 drops Labdanum

1 drop Helichrysum

3 drops Lavender

Combine all ingredients, shake and store in a dark glass bottle. Apply a small amount directly to minor cuts, wounds, scrapes, irritations, insect bites, burns, bruises and post-operative incisions.

From Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals by Kristen Leigh Bell

Try this natural and aromatic spray. Pour the essential oils into a 1-oz spray bottle filled with water. Shake very vigorously several times before each use. Spray directly onto your dog, holding the bottle about 10 inches from him. Avoid spraying on the head and eyes.

10 drops Lavender

10 drops Geranium

6 drops Lemon

From Aromatherapy for Animals, Part 1: Healing Blends for Dogs by Françoise Rapp

Daily Aromatherapy Tip brought to you by http://www.AromaThyme.com

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.