Essential Oils For Your Pets
Using essential oils for your pets is a big concern. One that many people have questions about, and rightly so. knowing my background with using essential oils, and my love for educating and sharing their uses, I’m commonly confronted with the following questions:
- Are essential oils safe for my dog?
- Can I use essential oils around my cat.
- Are essential oils are not safe to use around my pets.
My answer: This issue always go back to one issue…
Quality.
Essential Oils For Your Pets Dos and Don’ts
Knowing the dos and don’ts when it comes to essential oils for your pets, is important for any oil loving pet owner- so let’s get right down to business on this subject.
Most essential oils are purchased from third party vendors.
The facts are that most essential oils are labeled 100% pure and even organic and that neither case is true.
We are still working with the perfume/cosmetic industry and not only are there no checks and balances, a company can basically say ANYTHING they would like on the label.
Many times there is no information regarding the quality of the oil.
Key facts like, what herbicides or pesticides have been used, what other plants could have been harvested with the plant material the oil was made from, and how many times the plant material was distilled.
Other important details like if the oil was tested for not just purity, but also potency- which will determine not just its safety but IF it could have a therapeutic benefits is left out.
And you’ll need this information to decide whether to use them to offer comfort to your four-legged family members during potential stressful times like 4th of July fireworks, a loud rowdy campground or even a long car ride.
Research Essential Oils For Your Pets
That being said, do your own research as to where your oils come from and the farming practices used. I choose Young Living because of the SEED TO SEAL standard.
As we discuss using essential oils not just aromatically, but also topically and internally, I am personally only recommending this brand* shipped directly from the company as we can then know the purity, potency, and safety for you and your fury family members.
How Do You Introduce Essential Oils to Your Pet?
I believe that animals have an innate ability to know what they need for health. When working with essential oils, we use their natural instinct and allow the animal to choose what products they prefer.
This method is safe, effective, and simple, and it strengthens the bond between you and your animal. Simply allow the animal to choose by keeping the lid on the essential oil and let them smell it.
I stress ‘by keeping the lid on’ because having them smell it directly can be TOO STRONG! The average dog’s nose is 1000x’s as sensitive as humans. A domestic cat’s is about 14x’s as strong.
Introduce SLOWLY.
Believe me, they can smell the oil with the lid on!
Their “choice” or a positive sign looks like prolonged sniffing, interest, or even licking indicates they like the oil and it can be used. I often have dogs and horses licking my hands after I’ve applied essential oils! (That’s a positive response!!)
A negative choice will be completely ignoring it, barely giving it a sniff, or actual avoidance. Never force a product on an animal.
Aromatically Using Essential Oils For Your Pet
If you are diffusing or using oils for yourself while your pets are around, make sure there is an open door or window so they can leave.
Do you know any cat that will stay put when it doesn’t like something going on?
I didn’t think so.
With all the hype going around about essential oils and cats, I understand people are very sensitive and cautious. Good, I’m glad you are.
The three most important things when being cautious on behalf of your pet while using Essential oils are to check the QUALITY of oil (not all are created equal*), letting your pet CHOOSE, and providing an OUT.
1. Let them come to you & let the first oil you introduce be a gentle oil like lavender
2. When diffusing, be sure there is ventilation and the animal is not confined.
3. Start diffusing in short segments and gradually increase the time.
4. If you don’t have a cold-air diffuser, try a cotton ball or unbleached coffee filter! They can easily be hung in a stall or car vent
5. Placing an oil on their favorite toy is a great introduction!
6. Placing oils on US is aromatherapy too!
Topical Application Dilution Ratios for our Furry, Feathery and Scaly Companions
When using essential oils topically, dilute with a carrier oil to a ratio dependent on their size. A carrier oil is any organic vegetable oil such as coconut, olive or grapeseed!
Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits, Reptiles: 75-90%
Because of the special nature of cats, use Essential oils only as needed for acute care and on a daily basis only in chronic cases. Cats who live in environments where Eos are used are already getting plenty of beneficial molecules on a daily basis!
Hamsters, gerbils, mice, guinea pigs, etc: 85-90%
Birds, Amphibians : 90-95%
Spread a small amount of EO dilution on your finger and allow the bird to perch or spread a small amount diluted on the birds perch inside the cage. A gentle floral midst of oils like lavender, orange, lemon or grapefruit is like home for birds! A toothpick may be dipped in a diluted EO and very gently used on the bottom of birds feet
Horses, Cows, and other large animals- Neat (undiluted) Except for ‘hot’ oils like oregano or cinnamon
Applying to the bottoms of feet, paws, hooves are great options!
Oils can also be applied to the tips and auricular points of the ears. This application is known as ‘tipping.’ **Only apply to the backs of FLOPPY EARS as to not get Oils iN the animals eyes
Dogs
- Small dogs: 75% (1-25lbs)
- Medium dogs: 50% (26-50lbs)
- Large dogs: 25% (50-75lbs)
- Extra Large: 0-25% (76+ lbs)
Now that we know how to introduce, use, and apply, let’s talk Oils!
Lavender
Everyone has heard of Lavender. It is frequently referred to as “the Swiss army knife of Oils.”
Well, just as lavender can be calming to you and me, it can be to your animal as well. It’s also wonderful for skin support!
Cedarwood, Geranium & Frankincense
Cedarwood → Can be calming and grounding.
Frankincense → Incredibly grounding. Calming. Soothing to the skin.
Geranium→ Mix with Cedarwood & Lavender for an outdoor spray. Supports healthy skin. Can be balancing and grounding.
Essential Oils For Pets Recipes
DIY Skin Soothing Essential Oil Gel Recipe
Make your own Skin Soothing Essential Gel Recipe for your animal!
- approximately 50 mls of water-based gel (aloe vera)
- 5-20 drops of essential oils (max of 5 different oils)
- whisk together and you are done!
Apply this calming gel to underbelly or any sensitive skin areas when needed.
DIY Collar for Dogs
- 1 cup of water
- 5 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Citronella
- 1 drop Cedarwood
- 2 drops Geranium
Mix in a bowl, put in your pet’s collar, soak for 5 minutes, remove from liquid, and then let it dry before using.
***Make sure you listen to your animal and that they approve of the whole concoction first.
Citrus Fresh™
Citrus Fresh is relaxing and calming and it smells SO good. Think citrus with a hint of mint.
Ever tired of that “dog” or “cat” smell?
To help with pet odors, diffuse this blend around the house or wherever the litter box is located. You can also create a spray and use it on your furniture.
If you notice your pet is avoiding the Citrus Fresh spray, you can either use that to your advantage (to keep the cat off the couch) or switch to a different oil to freshen the air such as Purification, Lavender, or anything else you enjoy.
To create your room freshening spray, add 20 drops of Citrus Fresh or your oil of choice to distilled water in a 4 oz glass spray bottle.
Single oils contained in this blend:
- Orange brings peace and happiness to the mind and body.
- Tangerine is calming to the nervous system.
- Mandarin promotes happiness. It is also refreshing, uplifting, and revitalizing.
- Grapefruit is balancing and uplifting to the mind.
- Lemon promotes health and physical energy.
- Spearmint is uplifting to one’s spirit.
Would you like more information?
Enjoy this Pets & Oils 101 Class and learn more about introducing your cats, dogs and even horses to essential oils and some of the oils that can become such beneficial household favorites for you and all your fury family members!
You can also learn more about Young Living’s Animal Scents line, specifically formulated for our fury family members in their catalogue.
Ready to order?
