Aromatherapy and animals - how to use essential oils safely

Essential oils have become a very popular part of natural healing for humans, but the methods of using aromatherapy on our pets often differ from those on humans. Although aromatherapy is extremely effective for animals, some essential oils can cause more harm than good if used without knowledge. It is important to know which essential oils are suitable for which animal, and thus use the potential of essential oils to the fullest. We have prepared for you a brief article on the application of aromatherapy in animals along with suitable oils for dogs and cats. With this information, you will find it much easier to navigate the world of animal aromatherapy

When choosing an essential oil for animals, you should pay attention to its quality and go for a proven quality organic essential oil. There are several reasons. The main one - many oils available on the market are extracted by unfriendly chemical processes from plants grown with the help of fertilizers and pesticides. The final product can often contain a significant amount of chemical compounds, such as benzyl alcohols or phenols, which ultimately burden the animal (or human) organism.

To begin with, you need to realize that dogs and cats have a much more sensitive sense of smell than humans. Additionally, animals—especially dogs—come in very different sizes, so the use of an essential oil or blend should vary based on the breed's weight. In the case of pets, all organic essential oils should be used with the same caution as when administering pharmaceutical drugs.

Human and animal reactions to chemical compounds are different, and even different species of animals have different levels of sensitivity and tolerance to different types of essential oils. Animals have unique physiology and cannot metabolize most essentials as well as humans. For this reason, the use of essential oils in the case of pets can cause health problems.

Two basic principles of application of aromatherapy in animals

When treating the same symptoms in animals and humans, the selection and dosage of essential oils may differ.
When using essential oils in animals, we always apply a small amount and gradually increase as needed.

Methods of using essential oils on animals

Different application methods and techniques can be used for different animals. Each method has its advantages and is suitable for different purposes.

Water-based sprays (nebulizers)

A mixture of essential oils in water is applied by spraying on the animal's skin. These sprays can also be used on bedding, while traveling or as a versatile air freshener with aromatherapy effects. Sprays are most often composed of a mixture of essential oils and water (we recommend preparing these mixtures in smaller quantities to avoid spoilage, as no additional preservatives are added. Always shake well before use.) or of pure herbal hydrolate.

Oils

Oils are most often used for skin, fur, paws or, in horses, for hooves. Essential oils are added to these carrier oils (e.g. almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil…) Some oils, such as nimbus oil or tamanu oil, have excellent properties and can be used without the need for an admixture of essential oils.

Balms and ointments

Balms and ointments are used for specific areas of the skin, especially for application to the paws. They are made from carrier oils mixed with thicker natural substances such as beeswax or shea butter.

Aromatherapy and dogs

They say that a dog is man's best friend - he doesn't judge us, he loves us as we are, he's always there when we need him, ready to comfort us when we're sad or unhappy. He is always happy to see us. Dogs encourage people to exercise - just by picking up a leash and enjoying a walk in the fresh air. They are an important part of the family and don't ask for much in return - just a warm place to sleep, good food, water, a few words of praise and endless caresses and love. If you treat them to a dog massage along with all this, they will find themselves in doggy heaven.

Because dogs have a more developed sense of smell, we never apply essential oils directly to the snout or in its immediate vicinity. Essential oils are always diluted with carrier oils, mixtures of oils and butters or in a water base before application. We never apply undiluted essential oils to animals.

Essential oils against lice and fleas

Cedar wood (Cedrus atlantica)
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) also known as Lemongrass essential oil
Sage essential oil (Salvia sclarea)
Cypress essential oil (Cupressus sempervirens)
Thyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris)
Vetiver essential oil (Vetiveria zizanoides)
Patchouli essential oil (Pogostemon cablin)
Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita)
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) known as Tea tree essential oil (we use it in small quantities)

Mixture against ticks

Procedure | Add to a 200ml spray bottle

Boiled water

15 drops of Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
10 drops Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
5 drops of Lemongrass essential oil
5 drops Cedar wood essential oil (Cedrus atlantica)
5 drops Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita)

We spray the dog with the mixture created in this way before every walk (of course, you can also apply it on yourself). In the case of a longer stay in nature, it is advisable to repeat the spraying. After returning from nature, the dog must always be checked. You may be able to find stray ticks looking for an untreated spot on the dog's fur, but usually they don't have time to attach.

Application of the prepared solution during a walk

Variant 2 | this mixture can be prepared in a 10 ml empty bottle from an almond-based essential oil. Before staying in nature, put a few drops in your hands and rub into the dog's fur. In addition to repelling ticks, your pet will thank you for the beautiful, shiny coat.

Injuries and abrasions

Juniper essential oil (Juniperus communis)
Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Myrrh essential oil (Commiphora myrrha)
Tea tree known as Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Essential oils to calm the dog

Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Frankincense essential oil ( Boswellia carterii)

Essential oils and cats

Choosing the right essential oil is important because cats lack certain enzymes that ensure the ability to properly metabolize the various chemical compounds in essential oils, especially phenols. These phenolic compounds occur naturally in some plants and are highly concentrated in essential oils. The liver is the organ most often affected by essential oils in cats.

Certain essential oils are considered generally safe and are recommended, for example, to treat ear mites, upper respiratory problems, or to relieve stress.

Generally safe essential oils for cats

Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita)
Cedar wood essential oil (Cedrus atlantica)
Rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Lemongrass ( Cymbopagon flexuosus) essential oil
Rose essential oil (Rosa damascena)
Jasmine essential oil (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Calendula essential oil (Calendula officinalis)
Yarrow essential oil (Achillea millefolium)
Chamomile essential oil (Matricaria recutita)
Ylang Ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata)
Frankincense essential oil ( Boswellia carterii )
Cypress essential oil (Cupressus sempervirens)
Eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus)
Marjoram essential oil (Origanum majorana)
Myrrh essential oil (Commiphora myrrha)
Helichrysum italicum essential oil

Solving common health problems in cats with aromatherapy

Ear mites

1 drop of calendula essential oil on a cotton ball.

We never apply essential oils directly into the ear canal!

Abscesses in cats

Straw essential oil diluted in carrier vegetable oil.

Rub the affected area several times a day.

Sunburnt paws on hot concrete

Lavender oil diluted in coconut oil. We rub the paws as soon as possible so that the delicate skin can regenerate as quickly as possible.

Psychogenic alopecia in cats

This condition is caused by excessive care of the cat's fur. A cat's fur usually thins from the back to the belly. Compulsive cleaning behavior is mostly caused by stress; therefore, it is important to identify stress triggers and minimize them. A calm environment should be created and the cat's energy should be redirected to other activities such as play.

Diffuse rosemary essential oil in the premises. Spray the bed or give your cat a soothing massage or playtime with a drop of rosemary oil on your palms.