Aroma Pets

To Relieve A Specific Problem

If you offer aromatics on a regular basis, you reduce the chances of problems developing. Nevertheless, however well we care for our animals,sometimes things go wrong. When I address specific issues I make a short list of the essential oils and hydrosols that are most likely to help. I then let dogs choose between the aromatics on my shortlist.

I always use this method when a new animal joins the family to make sure he/she starts life with us in good health and clear of past traumas. Here's how to do it step by step.

Make Your Shortlist

Think carefully about what you aim to achieve. Also consider your dog's character and any other problems he either has or had in the past. Thinking of all these things will help you choose the best remedy.Don't just look at essential oils for the present symptoms, remember they are just a clue to the underlying imbalance. To clear the root cause, look for the aromatics that match the whole picture, past and present, physical and emotional.

The more you clarify your aims, the easier it will be to select the aromatics. If you say, "I want to make my dog feel better", you will have endless possibilities. When you look at the whole picture and include all physical , emotional and behavioral factors you narrow your choices. So, " I want to help my dog's stiffness, he also seems to be more fearful since we moved house, and his coat is thin and dandruffy", is a much clearer goal.

• Once you have set your goal, look at the list for Aromatics For Specific Conditions and check which aromatics are suggested for
  Stiffness and /or pain
  Fear
  Confidence
  Dandruff

Sometimes you will find one essential oil that covers all your goals.Other times it will take two or three different oils to cover everything.

Next, look at the Aromatic Cross reference Chart and see which of the possible oils/hydrosols most closely match you dog's issues. The more conditions that match your dog in each box, the more likely it is to be the best oil for the job.

Depending on the aromatics you have available, you can use essential oils and/ or hydrosols. If you have both the essential oil and hydrosol offer both.Your dog will indicate if it prefers the essential oil or hydrosol.

Aim to have a short list of 3-5 essential oils/ hydrosols. Your dog will probably select one or two.

1. Here is my shortlist for example:
   Cedarwood (Cedrus Atlantica) for stiffness, circulation stimulant, fear, grounding after moving house, dandruff.
2. Angelica root (Angelica Archenglica) circulation stimulant, to feel protected (fear)
3. Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens) for scurfy skin, lack of confidence, moving home.
4. Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) protective, anti-inflammatory, fearful suggestion

Let your dog smell each of the oils on your shortlist, one by one. With the lid on, pass the bottle under his nose quickly gauge his response. He will move towards the ones he likes with his nose, maybe lick his lip a little, if he doesn't want the oil, he will walk away or turn his head away.

Dilute the ones he selected and offer them again. This time let him interact with the oil/hydrosol however he chooses.

Reference: The Aromatic Dog: Nayana Morag