AromaTherapy Quick Guide to Aromatherapy for Pets Just like people, cats and dogs often need special
products to help with ailments and even to calm their spirit. Many pet owners are turning to aromatherapy
for pets to help ward off fleas and ticks as well as to heal or calm their
pet. A variety of essential oils are
available for pets (mostly dogs) on the market, and some of the best pet oils
can be costly. But if you're like most
pet lovers, you probably don't mind spending a little more to pamper your dog
or cat. Aromatherapy versus Chemically-Based Pet Products The all-natural craze today isn't just limited to
health/beauty products for people. Folks
are opting more than ever to use all-natural products for their pets. Some feel that all-natural is best to protect
their pet from harmful chemicals. Others
boldly proclaim that aromatherapy and related herbal products work more
effectively on pets. Either way, pet
owners are opting for these more and more today. Aromatherapy products for pets are also
growing in popularity among vets, dog groomers and trainers. Just like aromatherapy products for humans, the
essential oils for pets are extracted through several processes, including
distillation. Hundreds of plants are
used to extract just one ounce of oil.
This is why essential oils are in great demand and often expensive. Essential oils are not only therapeutic through their
appealing smells, but also offer a number of indirect health benefits. When inhaled, the scent is carried through
the olfactory nerves to the olfactory bulbs, which then notify the brain. The brain sends the message to the limbic
system, which controls motivation, desires, creativity and mood. Essential oils can promote the healthy
release of hormones to benefit the body's nervous system, appetite and stress
levels. They can also be used to soothe
sore muscles or arthritis. Aromatherapy for Dogs Dogs can benefit tremendously from the therapeutic
effects of pet oil. Such dog oils as
citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon and myrrh are
often used in herbal flea sprays and collars.
A homemade flea spray solution can consist of approximately 25 drops of
one of the oils mentioned above and eight ounces of water. This must be mixed well before spraying on
the dog, and the dog's eyes must be shielded from the mist. The solution can even be sprayed around the
dog's house or play area to prevent flea infestation. Dogs with frequent ear infections and/or ongoing pain
can be treated with the herb roman chamomile.
This is known to soothe nerves and help clear ear infections. Dogs also do well with mixtures of water and
essential oils such as aloe or witch hazel.
In many herbal products, essential oils are added to a base oil such as
olive oil, almond oil or jojoba oil. The
key to getting the right mixture is to use just enough essential oil to help
the dog without overloading him with very strong smells. Too much essential oil
will overwhelm the dog and cause him to react negatively. *Hint: Always
apply pet oil sparingly at first to test for allergies or sensitivity. Dog aromatherapy oils can help with certain ailments
such as dry or itchy skin, rashes, bad breath, motion sickness, ear infections
and flatulence. Aromatherapy for Cats - Beware! If you're a cat lover, then you should be aware that
several studies have shown that essential oils are not good for cats. Cats are unable to tolerate or metabolize the
oils. One reason is a cat's skin is
thinner and more delicate than that of a dog.
Therefore, the oils are absorbed through the skin and into the
bloodstream more rapidly. This can cause
a high level of toxicity in the cat's body, thus, resulting in dizziness,
vomiting, lack of energy and/or loss of appetite. Some studies show that permanent liver damage
can occur if a cat receives essential oil aromatherapy over an extended period
of time. When shopping at pet grooming shops or supply stores,
you'll notice an array of "herbal" or "aromatherapy" cat
products. These may include shampoos,
litter box fresheners, ear cleaning solutions, flea and tick sprays, collars
and dips. Before buying just any cat aromatherapy product, it's
good to know what is safe and what is not.
Look for products labeled as "hydrosol" that do not contain
essential oils. A hydrosol is very light
in scent because it is obtained from the distilled solution that's left over
after essential oils are already removed from the plant. The great thing about hydrosols is cats can tolerate
them without worry of toxicity.
Deodorize your cat or use for flea/tick control. Use hydrosols for ear cleaning or to calm
your kitty. Hydrosols are great for your
cat's skin and are extremely gentle - so gentle that they can be applied to a
baby's skin! Also, hydrosols don't have
to be concentrated as essential oils do, so this makes the process of
application much easier. Shopping for Pet Aromatherapy Products *Read all labels and look for these two hints when
shopping for all-natural products for your cat: 1. Contains
no essential oils 2. Made
from hydrosol You can find great herbal or aromatherapy pet products
online or in a local pet specialty shop.
Shopping online enables you to pick and choose from many brands and
types of oils or hydrosols. You may also
save money when buying pet oils on the Web.
If you have a friend or relative who loves dogs or cats, aromatherapy
products will make a great gift for birthdays or Christmas. Giving your pet therapy through aromatherapy products
can help your beloved friend feel and live better! Aromatherapy Pet Cures Aromatherapy is defined as the use of essential oils
for holistic healing, creating a sense of well being
and calmness, and soothing aches and pains.
A treatment can only be referred to as pure aromatherapy if it uses only
pure essential oils. Synthetic oils
might produce a certain smell similar to that of pure oils, but there is no
therapeutic value. Since more people are taking an interest in
aromatherapy as a healing agent, they are also using this type of treatment for
pet cures. Dogs in particular can
benefit from aromatherapy with essential oils just like humans can. And while essential oils are considered to be
a potential health hazard for cats, one can use a hydrosol product (the
distilled solution preserved after the essential oils have been extracted
and/or distilled from a plant) for their cat without worry. Pet Cures without Harmful Chemicals Many pet owners prefer aromatherapy products because
they contain only natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals. This all-natural approach gives pet owners
peace of mind while knowing there's still medicinal help for their pet. There are no guarantees that essential oils
will cure certain ailments, but there is substantial evidence that they can
help in many instances. Essential Oil Cures for Dogs Aromatherapy through essential oils can not only calm
your dog and help him relax, it can also help cure
certain ailments. Essential oils have
both therapeutic and medicinal properties for dogs. Each type of oil has its own healing
properties and can be used to relieve specific symptoms. You may choose to use an essential oil alone
or blended with other oils for multiple benefits. Here are a few dog cures with essential oils: Dog Arthritis Arthritis is just as painful to dogs as it is to humans. It occurs when the joints stiffen in certain
areas of the body (knees, back, neck, etc.) and fluid builds, causing pressure
and pain. When your dog has symptoms of
arthritis, essential oils such as ginger and rosemary can be used to increase
circulation to the area of pain. Juniper
oil can be used for detoxification, while birch and lavender can help ease pain
and calm your pet. Some dog arthritis
oils are blended with jojoba oil, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. Calm Dog Nervousness with Pet Oil If your pup is constantly nervous, whether during car
trips, thunderstorms, visits to the vet, etc., then consider an essential oil
blend of sweet marjoram, chamomile and lavender. These all have a calming
effect on dogs and can help your dog relax during what is usually a moment of
anxiousness. Just spray a mist of the
oils on your dog's bedding area or around the dog during these times. You'll soon notice that your pup is as calm
as a cucumber! Aromatherapy for Ear Infections If you notice your dog is constantly scratching at his
ears or has smelly ears, this could be a sign of outer ear infection. The
medical term for this is otitis externa. If you wait too long to treat outer ear
infection, it can spread to the middle or inner ear and become much worse over
time. Some common causes of ear
infection in dogs are yeast and bacteria, ear mites, allergies, foreign bodies
and hormonal balance. No matter what the
cause, aromatherapy with essential oils can help cure the infection or at least
provide relief from the pain while waiting to heal. Oils such as witch hazel and lavender can be
used to clean the ears gently from wax build-up. These will also prevent microbes from forming
in the pockets where yeast and fungus can grow.
It's a good idea to keep your dog's ears clean as much as possible to
prevent ear infections from occurring. Flea Allergies and Dermatitis Treatment Dogs with flea allergies or itchy skin conditions will
be miserable if left untreated.
Excessive scratching can lead to skin sores and bleeding. Luckily, your dog doesn't have to itch
continually! You can apply essential
oils to calm and soothe the itch. Some
aromatherapy treatments use a blend of lavender, cedarwood,
roman chamomile and helichrysum. These may also be blended with evening
primrose, jojoba and calendula. The key
is to buy only gentle oils that can be applied regularly or as needed to calm
the itch until the condition clears or improves. Wound Healing If your dog has an open wound or sore that just won't
heal, try a blend of essential oils for faster healing. Rose geranium regenerates cells and repairs
capillaries while rosewood stimulates cell growth. Pine oil helps prevent infections. Lavender, helichrysum,
St. John's wort, evening primrose and jojoba all have
great healing properties. Other Remedies Aromatherapy can also be used to clear a bad cough and
chest congestion if you notice your dog is wheezing. Oils can help prevent Lyme disease (caused by
ticks) by fighting off the bacteria after a tick has been removed. They can also help you get rid of bad doggy
smells! Quick Cat Cures If you own a cat, you should buy hydrosol products
only, not pure essential oils. Hydrosols
are safe for cats and can be just as effective as essential oils are for
dogs. If your cat has a wound or sore,
use a blend of German chamomile, lavender, witch hazel and yarrow
hydrosols. These have anti-inflammatory
and antibacterial properties, and can also calm your cat. To combat fleas on your kitty, use a blend of lavender
and Melissa (lemon balm) oils. These
also help with emotional balance. A
blend of witch hazel and lavender hydrosols can be used to clean your cat's
ears and prevent the formation of ear mites.
Help your kitty remain calm with chamomile and lavender hydrosols. If your cat is wheezing and has difficulty
breathing, use a hydrosol blend of lavender, Melissa and eucalyptus to open the
breathing passages. If you wish to take a holistic approach to healing your
pet, then you can easily shop online for a variety of essential oils and
hydrosol products. Use these to help
your pet get well the natural way! Copyright
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