Aroma Pets

Essential Oil Application & Safety For Cats

People have been using essential oils for their many beneficial effects and therapeutic properties. They can also be called ethereal oils or volatile oils. These oils are basically extracted from various plants and contain their fragrance or "essence". In addition to this, essential oils contain very potent compounds that are responsible for their therapeutic/ medicinal benefits. For humans, we can apply them aromatically, topically, externally, and even internally as cooking or baking ingredients.

Essential oils affect people and other living things in a cognitive, psychological, and physiological level. While it is not recommended as an alternative medicine  by modern science, essential oils are shown to have several benefits such as the following.

• Reducing Stress and Anxiety
  Promoting Better Sleep and Moods
  Reducing Inflammation
  Fighting Harmful Oxidative Processes
  Preventing Infections

Uses Of Essential Oils For Cats

There are many specific uses of essential oils for cats. Throughout these pages you will learn what specific oils to use for calming or relaxing your cat, eliminating fleas or ticks, keeping their skin healthy, and general care for their delicate ears and noses. There are also some oil recipes you can use for deodorizing your cat's surroundings and repelling insects. Most cat owners who use essential oils on their pets usually use it themselves. As animal lovers, people want to share as much positive experiences as they can with their companions. Not only are certain essential oils beneficial for you and your pet's health, they can also make your petting life and your relationship more enriching.

But just like how it is used on humans, safety and proper information when it comes to using essential oils should be the first thing in your mind. 

Reference: Essential Oils For Cats: The Blokehead

Why To Dilute

I always dilute essential oils when using them with dogs, because they are potent. A tiny amount has strong effects, so there is no reason to use undiluted oils. Just as with aspirins, you don't use five when one will do the trick. What's more, aromatics work better when diluted. Their molecules "curl up" when they are too densely packed, and stretch out to look for each other when in low concentration. Diluted essential oils are more easily absorbed by the body, so no energy is wasted on excretion, and you reduce the possibility of the irritation or sensitization.

But the main reason I dilute is because the dogs have shown me they prefer it that way. I have seen dogs, who have been previously traumatized by smelling undiluted essential oils, run out of the room at the sight of one of those evil little glass bottles. The more sensitive the dog, the more important it is to dilute well. Before we leave this question open, open a bottle of essential oil and smell it. Now imagine that smell 100,000 times more powerful. Do you feel overwhelmed at the thought? Well, a dog's sense of smell is at least that much more sensitive than yours, it could be as much as 1,000,000 times more so.... 

How to dilute essential oils

Essential oils should be diluted in a carrier oil. Pour the carrier oil into a small bottle . A five or ten milliliter glass bottle works best, available from most aromatherapy suppliers. The bottle should have a screw top cap, to keep the diluted oil fresh.

Label the bottle with the names of the essential oil and carrier oil and the dilution level. Wrap a piece of clear sticky tape  around the label so that, when oily, it doesn't slip off. If stored in a cool dark place, the diluted oil will stay fresh for about three months.

Dilute each essential oil/hydrosol separately. Do not blend. Your dog needs the freedom to interact individually with each extract. If you mix the oils, your dog is likely to refuse the blend when he goes off only one of the oils. Or, if he really is desperate , he may continue to take the blend just for the one oil he needs, increasing the risk of sensitization or irritation.

Rates of Dilution, essential oil
Physical problems 1-3 drops of essential oil in 5 ml/1 teaspoon of carrier oil.
Emotional problems/trauma 1-2 drops essential oil in 10ml/2 tsp of carrier oil, or use  hydrosol.

The more sensitive or delicate the dog, the higher the dilution should be (less essential oil more carrier) For puppies and the nervous or highly strung, use only hydrosols.

Reference:The Aromatic Dog : Nayana Morag

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

How To Use Aromatic Extracts To Keep Your Dog Healthy

Aromatics reduce stress and increase immune response, so are the perfect way to keep dogs healthy. I offer them to all my animals on a regular basis. If I feel one of my fur friends, is not quite as vital as usual, I let them sniff through my collection of oils and select one hat they want. I also do this when they are exposed to stressors, such as a change in routine or family composition.

Once they have selected their essential oil and carrier oil I dilute 1 drop of essential oil to 5ml/1 tsp carrier and offer again.

Usually, they will have a small sniff, perhaps a little lick, and very quickly be back to their usual bouncy selves. Using this system regularly helps keep my dogs healthy and stop illness developing.

Reference: The Aromatic Dog: Nayana Morag